Introduction
As a business owner, you likely already know that you have to have an online presence for your business. And while that includes having a website for the business, and possibly even a blog, it also includes having a Google Business Profile listing. So, what exactly is this type of listing? And how does having one benefit small and local business owners?
To answer the latter question, consider that every second, Google receives 100,000 search requests. Every month, there are 160 billion searches made on the platform. That’s a lot of searching, and it just proves how many people use Google to find information they’re looking for. But it’s not just general information such as how to get stains out of carpet or how to measure carpets or windows. Many of those searches are for products and services that local businesses are selling in the very same community as the consumer.
Consumers know this, and it’s why they often turn to Google to find those products and services. Aren’t convinced? Consider the following stats regarding Google and local searches.
Did you know that 97% of customers learn about local businesses online, mainly through Google Business Profile. Over half of the interactions between businesses and customers in Google Business Profile result in a store visit. 76% of users who search for local businesses in Google Business Profile visit the store within one day to make a purchase. 88% of customers will visit a store within the same week after finding them on Google Business Profile. In 2020 alone, there was a 61% increase in call from Google Business Profiles.
Considering that most small businesses rely on local traffic and nearby consumers, the importance of these facts cannot be ignored by many small businesses.
Read on to learn more about the many benefits a Google Business Profile listing could bring for your small business, how to do it, and some tips and tricks to ensure that once you have a listing, it’s truly effective