With more people depending on the Internet and Google to get what they need, Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business) has become a crucial tool for businesses growth.
It’s well-known that Google controls more than 90% of the searches, with billions of people utilizing their platform.
In this blog post, we’ll keep track of all the newest Google Business Profile upgrades and provide you with detailed information on how to use this useful and free service.
Google launched several changes to Google My Business in late 2021.
Google My Business was officially renamed to Google Business Profile, and new features were added to make it easier for users to access their business profiles on Google.
Every business should look into these Google Business Profile listing optimizations and features:
1. Custom Service Categories
Include your services on your company’s Google Business Profile. There are common categories to choose from. However, if your company does not fall into any of the traditional categories, you may now add one. You may also include the service(s) you offer inside that category. A description of up to 300 words is permitted.
Utilize all of the options available on your Google Business Profile and select the ideal keywords for effective digital marketing. It enhances the likelihood that your listing will show on Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs) and that customers will find you quickly.
2. Google Business Profile Updating
Google wants you to be able to simply update your listing by using Google Search or Google Maps. To view the business profile under the previous GMB, you had to utilize the website or app. Google My Business will be phased off in 2022, and the website will be repurposed.
There are now three additional direct ways to access your Google Business Profile, and you must be logged in to your Google account to use them.
- Use Google to search for the name of your business.
- If you love using Google Maps, you may access your company profile using the Google Maps app.
- Alternatively, you may use the Google search term “my business” to get directly to your company profile.
3. Health announcements such as COVID-19 in your listing
COVID-19 has been in effect for a few years and has a variety of effects on businesses. Google acknowledged this reality by including a “COVID-19 update” post tab in Google Business Profile.
You can still publish other postings, but the COVID tab remains at the top of the company profile in local search results. This tab’s announcements contain notices about:
- New business hours
- Temporary closures
- The company’s precautionary measures for safety
- COVID-related product stock announcements
- Changes to the basic service, such as switching to takeout/delivery only
COVID – 19 postings are visible for the same amount of time as normal posts. It is a fantastic chance to demonstrate to your consumers how devoted your company is to the health and safety of your community.
4. Appointment link
Including an appointment URL in your listings is a simple way to get clients to contact you. Customers may easily take action right from Google Search or Maps. Without needing to go through your company’s website.
Add appointment URLs for tasks such as:
- Placing an order
- Making a reservation
- Booking an appointment
- Searching for items
- Viewing a menu or list of services
In some cases, an appointment URL will display automatically in a company listing. It signifies that either your company has a collaboration with a third-party supplier or Google has such an arrangement. Changes to the third-party supplier link must be made on their platforms.
5. Google Guarantee Badge Certification
Verify your company’s eligibility for a Google Guarantee badge. The badge’s objective is to reassure clients that a firm listed on Google is authentic and offers great service. They even go so far as to promise to compensate consumers who are displeased with the service they received from a business identified with this badge.
To acquire a Google Guarantee badge, your company must first go through a Google screening and verification procedure via Local Services Ads or one of its partners. In the search results, the Google Guarantee symbol will appear on your listing.
Before Google would recompense consumers, there are several requirements that must be met. Clients, for example, must book the service solely through Google Local Services. In addition, clients in certain countries have lifetime compensation restrictions.
One final note,
Google is not going to stop making adjustments and upgrades. With the latest modifications to Google My Business (now Google Business Profile), business owners must take advantage of all available capabilities to help their company stand out.
Tali is a results-driven digital marketer with a track record of growing her clients’ businesses and driving revenue.
As the business owner at WSI Digital Path, Vaughan, she takes great pride in delivering powerful but cost-effective solutions for her clients.
Innovative and revolutionary digital marketing trends set the pace for the digital marketing industry. Don’t make the mistake of falling behind! Contact WSI Digital Path today and trust your digital marketing to the industry’s leading professionals.
