83% of consumers perform an online search for a product or service before making a purchase and since 92% of online searches are done on Google, it is no wonder why ensuring you have a strong Google listing is crucial for any small business.
In fact, consumers are 2.7 times more likely to consider a business reputable if they have a Google listing vs those that do not.
WHAT IS A GOOGLE BUSINESS LISTING?
This is a FREE listing that you can create or claim through your existing Google account which shows up within local search results when people are using Google.
This is also the same information that appears within Google Map:
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS LISTING?
A Google business listing is often the first impression people have of your business since they show up prominently within Google search results.
- COMPLETE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS LISTING
A properly filled out listing gives people all the basic information of your business (name, location, hours, phone number, website link) so if your listing is lacking some information people may skip right past you.Tip: It is also important to make sure your listing is showing up within the correct business category.
If you are a landscaper you want to make sure to be in the LANDSCAPER category and not something like GENERAL CONTRACTOR for example.
- PICTURES
Including images within your Google listing gives people a real sense of your business. If you have a physical location make sure you include images from inside and outside. If you offer a service make sure there are images of the service in action.Tip: Avoid stock photos at all costs! Real images are better and Google actively looks to remove stock images.
- REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS
This is the big one. The quality and quantity of the reviews you have on Google not only has a significant effect on the attention viewers will give your listing (low stars = ignored), it also has a direct impact on how well your listing will show up within Google search results (fewer reviews = less chance of being shown prominently).Start with a goal of at least 10 reviews for at least a 4-star rating, obviously more reviews and a higher rating is better, but this initial goal will increase the chances of viewers looking into your business further.88% of consumers have read reviews to determine the quality of a local business. 72% of consumers say positive reviews make them trust a local business more than they may have otherwise.
Tip: Respond to every review you get quickly. If it is positive – thank them, if it is negative – respond politely and constructively. A negative response to a negative review will do more harm to your business than the negative review ever could.
The benefits and uses of Google business listings are only going to grow so it remains important that your business is taking advantage of everything a listing has to offer now and in the future.
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.
