Google My Business 3.0 Training Guide- Video Intro

Google my Business 3.0 is on the way in August 2020

Google My Business results have become a big part of the online presence of brick and mortar businesses. If someone searches for "electrician near me" or "electrician + LOCATION," they do not want to explore websites. They want to find an electrician.

Google understands this and has started showing real businesses at the top of their search results.

Our complete guide to Google My Business will show you how to master the platform and get the best results for your business in 2020 and beyond. We will show you how to create your Google My Business account, list your business, optimize your listing, and more.

This step-by-step guide will help you understand Google My Business inside and out so that you can improve your Google Map rankings, communicate with customers, control your online presence, and generate more leads.

Happy Learning!

Chapter 1: Everything You Need to Know About Google My Business

Chapter 2: Why Do You Need a Google My Business Listing?

Chapter 3: Important Google My Business Covid-19 Updates

Chapter 4: Latest Google My Business Features for Your Business

Chapter 5: Google My Business Technical Set Up Guide

Chapter 6: How to Create a Google My Business Listing?

Chapter 7: How to Increase GMB Reviews and Conversions

Chapter 8: How to Optimize Your Google My Business Listing This Year?

Chapter 9: Improving Local SEO With Google My Business

Chapter 10: Common GMB Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Chapter 11: Case Studies

Conclusion

Google My Business - New feature for Covid 19

 

Google has rolled out a new feature where businesses can ask for the financial support of their customers via gift card purchases or donations.

Utilizing the COVID-19 Support feature in the posts section of the GMB back end, owners can create a post that includes gift card and/or donation links for customers accompanied by a short message from the business.

As of June 2020, Google supports the following providers: for gift card purchases, the business website, Square, Toast, Vagaro and Clover; for donations, GoFundMe and PayPal. To be eligible for use of this feature, the business must have a physical storefront and the GMB listing must have been verified by March 1st, 2020.

COVID-19 Scheduling, Hours and Posts

With social distancing requirements changing the way we do business; many businesses have adjusted their business operations and hours. Google has revamped existing features and added new ones to allow business owners to share these changes with their customers. In the back end of Google My Business, listing managers are invited to update their online estimate links and business hours and add a COVID-19 post. 

The Online Estimate feature draws attention to the Appointment Links section of the listing. If your business already makes use of the Appointment Link feature, selecting the Online Estimate button will autofill your existing Appointment Link URL. If your business does not already have an Appointment Link, you are prompted to one to the appropriate page on your website. 

Business hours can be updated in three locations in the GMB back end, normal business hours, special hours (for holidays, etc.) and under the newest feature – More Hours. The More Hours section provides space for a business to describe business operations such as delivery, takeout, and drive-through. For restaurants, the main dining services may be closed, but making use of the More Hours section alerts customers of these socially distant services.

Google My Business 3.0 - coming - Business - Listings - Chapter 2 Preview

 

Google My Business Listings  - Chapter 2 Preview 

A local search phrase includes keywords like “near me,” or a specific location like a city, district, or address. For local searches, Google no longer gives websites the prime real estate. Right beneath the ads, at the top, you do not see the top SERPs. You see the top local business listings. And that is a big deal.

Local searches have become a qualified step in the buyer’s journey. Most of the time, consumers that look for more product information on their phone end with a local Google search.

A whopping 82% of smartphone shoppers make a “near me” or local search before deciding on a business. You do not want to miss out on more than 8 out of 10 potential customers. Together with Google Ads for local businesses, this helps you cash in on local searches. And that is not the only benefit.

Knowledge Panel for Branded Searches

With a Google My Business listing, a “knowledge panel” for your business will show up on the right side of the search results for branded or relevant searches.

You can see the same summary of your business available on Google Maps. Your address, average rating, business hours, directions, and some general business information.

If competitors are running ads against your business name, the knowledge panel can be a great way to grab the attention of potential customers instantly. The panel helps draw their attention away from Google ads directly below the search bar, to your business.

Features of Google My Business

What does Google My Business offer business owners? Here is a few of the most popular features:

Insights: Google’s dashboard provides key investigates customer activity and interaction, allowing businesses to learn what is working—and what is not—on their listing. In addition, it can help them understand their community better as they target new customers. How did searchers find your business? Where did they come from? How are your photos performing? Google My Business insights highlight the answers to these questions and helps businesses optimize and improve over time.

Posts: Easily post custom updates and offers on your local listing, inviting customers to make return visits and engage further with your business. Updates can be made anytime from your phone, tablet, or computer for on-the-go maintenance. Not sure what to post about? Try a few ideas we know customers will love, like limited-time offers, contest promotions, and partnership announcements.

Bookings: Allow customers to schedule an appointment or book services directly from your listing with a simple click. Integrated scheduling partners help you easily organize, track, and manage your bookings in one place.

Review Management: Did you know? 91% of consumers read online reviews, and 84% of people trust reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends. Online, reviews are everything. Engage customers in two-way communications as you receive and respond to reviews.

Q&A: Respond to customers’ direct questions about your business and pin frequently asked inquiries for easy viewing.

Photos: Strong visuals are crucial for good first impressions—and they are key to a more well-clicked business listing. Google My Business allows you to upload your best photos and videos to entice customers to visit you.

Accuracy Across the Web: Google is Google. It powers so much of the internet, and many third-party sites use Google for their info. Meaning, the business info you post on your Google My Business listing helps disseminate consistent and accurate info about your business across the web.

Research shows that 60% of consumers have searched for a business at least six times in the last year. So if your business checks these initial boxes, Google My Business could help you become a more accurately represented, visible, and visited business. Ready to set up your GMB listing? Let’s walk through the process step-by-step. Read further to learn how to create, verify, and optimize your Google My Business listing.

Google My Business Listing Checklist and Optimization Guide

 Google My Business Listing Checklist and Optimization Guide

Following - Categorization of Business Under Google My Business

Showing up at the very top of a Google search can mean money in the bank due to the fact that 33% of all clicks go to the first result listed (not including ads). As a local business, showing up in the 3 Pack (see below) is an opportunity to stand head and shoulders above your competitors. It’s also a way for you to beat all of those directory-listing services trying to get your customer’s attention.

When it’s all said and done, your Google My Business listing is only as good as the content you post and optimize.

To ensure you’re getting the most out of your My Business listing, make sure that you’re optimizing your information by doing the following:

· Enter your business location correctly. The format should be your business name, your physical address, and your phone number (it is important to keep this the same across all listings and update it whenever it changes).

· List your official website on your Google My Business listing. This will help Google improve its search results and display your listing for more Google users.

· Fill out your profile completely. This means you should include high-quality videos and images and provide as much information about your business as possible. Think about answering your customer’s questions before they have a chance to ask them – this practice makes for a great listing.

Business Description

Have your business description sound natural and human, as opposed to stiff and formal. Don’t attempt to keyword stuff. Google will catch that.

Here’s a Good Example of a Great Business Description

Add Photos

It’s very important to add a profile photo to your GMB listing. Customers who see an attractive, inviting cover photo are a lot more likely to click on your listing than another one that doesn’t include a photo.

Below are the types of photos you can post to your Google My Business listing.

· Cover Photos

· Profile Photos

· Other Photos

**Other people can add photos to your listing as well. It’s best you treat your GMB listing the same manner you would your Facebook page. Your photos should portray what your business does.

General Photo Guidelines

· Format: JPG or PNG

· Size: Between 10 KB and 5 MB

· Minimum Resolution: 720px × 720px

· Quality: Your photos should be in focus and well lit, and have no significant alterations or excessive use of filters. In other words, your images should represent reality.

Add Videos

Video performs very well online and continues to grow rapidly. A good practice to perform prior to posting is asking yourself, “If my competitor uploaded a video like this, would I make fun of them or envy them?”

Google My Business Video Requirements

Video posted on your listing must be:

· 30 seconds or shorter

· 100 MB or smaller

· 720p resolution or higher

Video creation resources:

If you’re a non-technical person and or just don’t have the time to create your own videos, there are some excellent and low-cost ways for you to have someone else create them for you. You may want to look at Fiverr or Renderforest to see if you want to get some help with the project.

Categorizing Your Business

Google My Business offers three different categories of businesses.

1. Brand pages: Brand pages are a slightly different than other forms of local listings. These pages help brands, and organizations reach out to their fans. Unlike true local listings, these pages don’t include information about an entity’s physical location.

2. Storefront business: If you run a brick-and-mortar business with a physical storefront, this category allows customers to locate you in the Google Maps feature and is what businesses like hotels, stores, and restaurants should be using.

3. Service area business: This local page option is meant for businesses that go to a customer’s location to conduct your work. This is true for plumbers and delivery services as well as others.

Following - Improving Your Page Ranking ON GMB