According to a 2015 Google study, nine out of ten consumers use search engines to search for services, reviews and products in their area, i.e. locally. You're sure about that too, aren't you?

Google often automatically creates entries for businesses that are shown to you in search. There may already be a neglected entry for your business. Google collects all the information the search engine finds online and creates an entry from it, without you having created or influenced it.

We look at some of the reasons why using Google My Business properly can be the key to getting the online visibility your business needs.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a service provided by Google that is specifically designed to enhance the visibility of the local businesses on the internet.

It consists of a tab on which businesses can include information about their location, opening hours, products or services and photographs of their interior. It also includes interaction options for users, who can write reviews, make reservations, ask questions and call or write directly to the business.

Reasons to use Google My Business in your business

1. Improve your visibility

On the one hand, Google My Business listings appear in Google in a prominent position when the user makes a related search, right after the advertising, and on the other hand, Google My Business listings appear in Google in a prominent position when the user makes a related search, right after the advertising and before organic results.

In order to be positioned in this place, it is essential to work the file with updated data to achieve real visibility. If a user performs a search for nearby hardware stores, the search engine only highlights three of these businesses (the rest of the businesses appear in a more extensive list that the user can access by clicking).

In addition, it is also an easy way to position the business on Google Maps, so that users will find the premises if they are searching nearby.

2. A trusted showcase for your customers

The file of Google My Business includes a series of functionalities that allow customers to get to know the business better, even before they have visited it. In the file, they can consult:

*Positive reviews from other users. It is important to encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, as, in addition to motivating other customers to visit you, they are an important factor in the positioning of your listing.

*A question and answer sectionYou can also use the "Contact us" section to answer all possible doubts about your products or services. It is common for potential customers to ask if the shop has a certain product or if it provides a certain service: a timely answer can turn into a sale. Other internet users can also answer the questions and all users (including the company) can vote for the best contributions to make them stand out from the rest.

*Recent publications about your businesswith the latest news or offers. In this way, you make your company's activity visible and show that you are active.

*Showcase your business in a different way to other platforms

The digital presence of a business includes different platforms (social networks, website, online directories...) on which to be present, each with its own idiosyncrasies.

Google My Business is designed specifically for local businesses, and allows some specific functionalities that enhance your company's image in a clear way.

This is the case of virtual tours, which allow users to see the interior of the premises through a virtual and immersive panoramic recreation, while still planning their visit. Or timetables, which allow users to locate businesses that are open at the time of the search.

4. Generate more visits to your premises

Google's platform for businesses has proven to be particularly effective in motivating users to visit a venue and purchase products or services there.

Thus, according to the platform's own statistics, the 50% of business users' searches on Google Maps end in a royal visit on the same dayand the number rises to 76% if the search is carried out via a smartphone.

Do you want to exploit the full potential of Google My Business for your business? At Zapiplay we help companies, contact us or check out our all-inclusive marketing and design plans.

At Zapiplay We carry out the complete management of Google My Business for our clients. We have professionals who specialise in optimising your Google My Business listing to improve your company's local SEO.