A high-level communications and marketing platform, the internet has become the new « shop window » for businesses and boutiques, that is why you need to do a google optimization of your website. It makes it possible to promote brands, sell products and/or services, establish new leads and increase customer loyalty. At a time where most businesses and traders have an internet site, and two thirds of consumers research products online, Google has thought up an ingenious idea and launched its new concept, Google My Business.
What is Google My Business?
Launched in June 2014, Google My Business is a SEO tool dedicated to nearby businesses which has revolutionised the world of local SEO. The IT giant has bought together different services including Google Places, Google Local Pages and Google Maps into a single, fluid and easy-to-use interface.
The aim of the concept is to manage a business’s online presence, place it in the highest positions on the world’s most-frequented search engine and to attract as many visitors as possible, in order that these be converted into actual customers. By choosing Google My Business, a number of benefits are on offer. For example, clients can easily find a business’s physical location using their smartphone, tablet or computer.
Who can use Google My Business?
Any website owner can use Google My Business. However, this revolutionary tool is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who wish to promote the products and/or services on offer in their high street shop or physical office, as well as those wishing to increase their online visibility. It’s important for small businesses to with customers sharing a communal interest, whether it is cooking, vintage cars, fashion, or anything else. It’s worth noting that the tool is particularly useful for SEO agencies.
Focus on the Google My Business Tool
The internet is the public’s preferred means of finding nearby establishments. With this in mind, Google has launched Google My Business. It is a practical, easy-to-use tool which means businesses can maintain a web presence, be visible on a map, stand out on Google+ and share useful information, accessible on all devices thanks to Android and iOS apps. Whereas local SEO was previously handled separately by Google Places and Google+ Local, the entire process is now controlled by Google My Business.
Indeed, this free concept allows you to update information relating to a business or shop (opening hours, contact details etc.). This allows customers to receive important and useful information in real time.
It also gives you the opportunity to add photos of an establishment or products, share news, events and other important information, and to give customers virtual tours of your premises or a shop. Google My Business users can also directly access reviews of their business published by internet users, which they can respond to, as well as useful information such as the number of visitors and client engagement with a website.
And of course, the web is a place for exchanging ideas and respect. With this in mind, there are certain rules in place (learn more here).
