In the age of the Omni-Shopper, having an online presence is critical to finding your customers and building trust between them, but contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean you need to do social media. There are other platforms and tools you can use to promote your brand and connect with your customers, one of them being your Google Business Profile. This tool allows you to display your business’s location, gives your customers somewhere to leave reviews, and can add a level of legitimacy that Omni-Shoppers are looking for. Let’s go over some of our tips and tricks for how you can get the most out of your profile.
Claim your Business
First and foremost, you need to claim your business profile. In the post-Covid era that we live in, people are still looking for easy ways to shop and find what they need online, and are going to gravitate towards businesses that can accommodate those needs over ones that don’t. Claiming your profile and making all of your information readily available, such as your store’s address, number, email, or website link, is going to put your brand at the forefront of customers’ minds.
Interior/Exterior Photographs
We highly recommend that, if you have a physical location, include pictures of both the inside and outside of your business. This not only adds to the legitimacy of your profile, but can be helpful tools for your customers to find you and get a feel for your brand before they visit. Since anyone is able to add photos to your profile, it’s important to make sure you have professional ones to stand out against those that could give shoppers the wrong impression of you. Even if you don’t have a physical location, include photos of your team, the product you sell, or whatever you feel shows who you are.
Ask for Reviews
Whether it’s in your store or on your website, encourage your customers to leave reviews on your profile. Not only is it a way for you to collect data on whatever changes you need to make, but it’s a way to let your audience know you want to hear what they have to say. It also provides a level of transparency that omni-shoppers are looking for these days.
Front-end SEO in your business description
Make sure your business description is written in front-end SEO to increase visibility and traction. It’s important to clearly define the message behind your business in this as well to let shoppers know exactly what it is you do.
What do you have to lose?
Whether you’re a brick & mortar or a completely online shop, Google Business Profile is an integral tool for creating a strong and identifiable online presence. Even in the post-Covid era that we live in now, businesses that don’t work to establish an electronic footprint are going to lose customers to those who are able to prove they do what they say they can, and who are making themselves visible wherever their customers are. If you need an example, check out 20Degrees Media’s profile on Google and see how we put our own advice into action.