In this article we will update you on the newest changes to Google My Business and explain how your company might benefit from this free service.
To better serve users, Google rebranded Google My Business as Google Business Profile and added useful new features.
This is a step toward establishing the Google Business Profile as the go-to resource for local businesses looking to enhance their online visibility, connect with prospective clients, rise to the top of search engine results pages, and keep in touch with existing clientele. Customers' widespread use of Google Maps as a resource when determining which local businesses to support makes this digital marketing technique the most successful one available.
Managing a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is similar to managing a social media profile, only it's tailored to local businesses and used to boost search engine rankings through localized SEO and customer feedback.
I mention "quietly" because they deliver exactly what they claim and make subtle updates to the product that most business owners will never know about.
Hence, in this piece, we will monitor all the changes made to Google My Business and provide you with a better understanding of how to make the most of this useful and free resource.
Manage Google My Business (GBP) directly on Google
The most helpful aspects of Google My Business have been moved to the top of the search engine results page in the latest upgrade.
The Google My Business dashboard used to be more difficult to access from a desktop computer due to the length and obscurity of its URL. As a result, the vast majority of users who sought out this address did so by conducting a Google search, at which point they would copy and paste the address from the search engine results page (SERP) into their browsers in order to access the dashboard.
In the latest version, your GMB will show up in Google Maps and Search.
So, here's what you do:
Enter your company's name into Google and sign in using the Google account that administers your Google My Business profile to access your Google My Business page.
You'll notice this brand-new sidebar:
Here, under the local search results, we've compiled a rundown of everything you'll likely use on a regular basis. Having these choices so close at hand has made life much simpler.
And this is what you can do:
View the latest reviews and star ratings
Respond quickly to your Google reviews
Create Google Ads – faster and much easier
Create a Google post in a quick popup and promote your special offers
View Google analytics and insights
Update your GMB listing, such as business information, phone number, business description, business category, etc.
Metrics like the number of calls generated from the profile, the number of people using the profile to initiate a search, search terms used, the number of fresh reviews published online, etc. are now much simpler to access.
Google My Business (aka Google Business Profile) Messaging on Desktop
Like many other aspects of Google My Business, the messaging feature is poorly advertised.
Despite its availability in the Google My Business app, very few account managers actually make use of it.
However, Google is making strides in that direction, and as of this year, the same chat option found in the mobile app is available in the desktop dashboard.
Google, however, is making headway in this area and, as of this year, has included the same chat option found in its mobile apps within its desktop dashboard.
Here is how Chat on Google Maps works:
When customers see a "Chat" button on your Google Maps Business Profile, they can message you immediately.
Most small businesses spend a lot of time at their computers, so having a chat window open means that customers can get their questions answered quickly.
Here's a speedy guide to using Google Maps' new in-app chat features to communicate with customers.
Search for your brand in Google search, so it provides the GMB shortcuts
Click on the listing
In the popup, choose Chat
Here on the chat screen, you can reply back to the customers who requested information on your Google Business Profile (aka Google My Business)
Google My Business AKA Google Business Profile is constantly changing their options and algorithms.
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