In 2021, the way people search online is changing…
And information MUST be instantly accessible.
What this means is simple.
If your business isn’t easy to find, then people will go elsewhere.
Period.
Now, next to online reviews, the second most important factor that customers take into consideration when searching for a local business is proximity to their specific location.
And Google’s algorithms have been developed to consider this, as they are entirely focused around user functionality.
Here is where things get interesting...
The backbone of Google’s entire Local Search directory is Google My Business.
But what is Google My Business?
"Google My Business is a listing in which Google aggregates information about a company and puts it into an attractive, easy-to-use format for consumers"
But in simple terms - it's that easy-to-spot box in the righthand corner of search results pages on desktop platforms, and at the top or near the top of search results pages on mobile platforms.
It includes information like:
Photos: It’s important to have photos on your Google My Business listing. Photos help customers identify your location, know what to expect upon arrival, and have an easier time finding your location.
Website: A link to the company website is essential for helping customers find your actual site with ease, without having to memorise the URL.
Reviews and ratings: Ratings and reviews are excellent for letting people know what to expect from your business (they also help boost your Google My Business rankings and SEO).
Description of the business: Business descriptions give customers a concise idea of what your business does or provides.
Category: Categories tell customers what type of business you have. Categories are beneficial for optimisation purposes.
Address: Putting the address of the business on a listing makes it very easy for customers to obtain directions and find a location - again, very important for local ranking and SEO.
Hours: It’s essential for people to have quick and easy access to your hours of operation.
Phone number: Providing a business phone number allows customers to call with questions and inquiries. It helps you connect to people as well as increases convenience for customers.
Products: You can actually list out the different services/products you offer for easy viewing.
Post: Similar to social media, you can actually now also make posts that appear collectively in your Google My Business - which again... HELPS LOCAL RANKING AND SEO!
Questions and answers: On a listing, there’s a space for customers to ask questions, and then the business owner can respond. It’s an excellent opportunity to interact with customers and provide helpful information to anyone searching for your business.
And so on...
Setting up Google My Business is one of the simplest and most effective ways of allowing your business to be found online, especially in your local area – and for FREE!
If you haven’t set this up, it’s not that you’re not playing well against your competitors, you’re just not even in the same game…
When you run a local trade business, it’s absolutely vital to put time and effort into your Google My Business listing.
This is the online environment trade businesses must now compete in, so make sure your business is taking advantage of the way people are searching online, and don't let it hinder your ability to attract new customers.
Set it up, optimise it, and keep it updated.
If you're an electrician, plumber, painter, carpenter, or any other trade business owner who is looking to take your business to the next level, click here to learn more about how our team can help!
