How to Use Google My Business to Boost Local Awareness

What is Google My Business?

Do you own a business? Are you looking to expand the customer awareness of your business or its online reputation? Do you want your business to be seen on Google? If you said yes to any of these questions, then Google My Business might be just the thing your business needs!

Per Google, "Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your Business Profile and business website on Google Search and Maps." It allows you to "see and connect with your customers, post updates to your Business Profile, and see how customers are interacting with your business on Google."

To break it down further, Google has created an avenue for businesses to engage with their customers and be displayed to people in their local area(s). So basically, when you search for a business on Google, the Google My Business page is the box on the right-hand side of the page. A Google My Business profile displays a business' name, address, phone number, website, reviews, and hours of operation.

Where can I find it?

• Web Browser
• Apple/iOS
• Android

Why should I use it?

It's free!

Everyone loves to hear the word "free." Some even perk their ears up in excitement from the word (I know I do, especially when it comes to pizza). So why would one want to turn a blind eye to something that a company such as Google is offering to any business? There are a few hoops to jump through before you're approved, but with a little time and patience, you'll be up and running in no time!

How does it apply to real estate?

A real estate agent's goal is to connect with home buyers and sellers and help them buy and sell real estate. Those consumers are searching online, so being on Google My Business helps make that initial connection.

Assists Social Media and SEO Efforts

Google wants people to utilize its search engine—which of course we all do. More importantly, though, Google wants you to play their game on their playing field. Similar to anyone looking to sell products through Amazon, eBay, or other online retailers, you must play their game in order to participate. The same applies to your business and being seen across Google. If you spend time utilizing Google's products (still free), they'll reward you by elevating your SEO on their search engine. It's similar to a movie with a massive film studio standing behind it. Sure, the people creating the movie will have to play by the film studio's rules; however, they'll also receive that studio's resources in return—win, win.

Centralized Hub for Reviews

For any business in the internet age, reviews are key to being successful. Luckily Google has made it easy for businesses to showcase their reviews in one place. Google pulls in data from many other sites such as Facebook and Yelp and will let you add reviews from those sources to your Google My Business profile.

Cost-Effective Marketing

It can cost a lot of money to advertise your business—like, a lot. But when you don't have that extra money to spend, you still want to effectively showcase your business. Google My Business is a cost-effective way to present your business to any potential customers who use Google to browse the internet. Because Google gives this away as a free feature, there's no reason why a business should avoid using it. However, due to the SEO impact and playing by Google's rules, Google does want you to optimize and complete your profile rather than just creating one for the sake of having it.

New Audiences

Have you ever gone to an unfamiliar place and wanted something to eat? If you're on your phone, you probably typed in "food" or "restaurants near me" on your map app or web browser. Guess what appears? A list of restaurants or food places in the area that Google thinks will be good based on their algorithms. Another thing to note is that every suggestion that appears is a Google My Business listing. From a business perspective and everything stated above, this is a huge opportunity to expose yourself to new audiences who are nearby.

To view the original article, visit the Homes.com blog.