Episode 521 Marketing With Bridget Willard Why Your Business Needs To Be On Google Maps

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Show Summary

This podcast episode features a discussion between Rob Cairns and Bridget Willard about the importance of utilizing Google Maps for small businesses, now integrated as Google Business Profile. They emphasize that businesses with physical locations, like restaurants, significantly benefit from having an accurate and regularly updated presence, including details like contact information and menus. The conversation highlights how this increases visibility in local searches, often outranking standard website SEO, and encourages businesses to share their content and even customer reviews on their profiles. Additionally, they briefly touch on the value of setting up a Bing Business Place profile for broader reach and the ongoing relevance of word-based content for search engines, including AI.

Show Notes

This is a great conversation between Rob Cairns and Bridget Willard about the importance of Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business) for local businesses. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:

Why Google Business Profile is Crucial:

• Visibility in Local Search: When people search for businesses like restaurants, hotels, or shops, Google Business Profiles often appear prominently in the search results, even outranking websites with strong SEO.
• Provides Essential Information: Customers can quickly find your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and directions.
• Builds Trust and Credibility: Profiles with photos, posts, and positive reviews help establish trust with potential customers.
• Content Distribution Channel: You can share updates, offers, and engage with customers directly on your profile.

Tips for Optimizing Your Google Business Profile:

• Claim and Verify Your Listing: Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date, including your address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
• Add Photos and Videos: Showcase your business, products, or services with high-quality visuals.
• Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews build trust and improve your ranking in local search results.
• Post Regularly: Share updates, offers, and engage with customers by posting regularly on your profile.
• Utilize Google Posts: Create engaging posts with calls to action to promote events, offers, and updates.
• Add a Menu (if applicable): Make it easy for customers to find your menu by adding it directly to your profile.
• Use All Available Features: Explore features like booking appointments, messaging, and product catalogs to enhance your profile.

Beyond Google:

• Consider Other Platforms: Don’t forget about other platforms like Apple Maps and Bing Places, especially if you cater to a local audience.
• Off-Page SEO: Remember that activities outside of your website, like social media posting and community engagement, also contribute to your online visibility.

AI and Marketing:

• AI as a Tool: Tools like ChatGPT can assist with content creation, but they shouldn’t replace human oversight and creativity.
• Train the AI: Use AI to generate content, but refine and adapt it to ensure accuracy and relevance to your business.
• Monitor Your Online Presence: Use tools like Google Alerts to track what’s being said about you and your business online.

Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of actively managing your Google Business Profile as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. By optimizing your profile and utilizing all available features, you can improve your visibility in local search results, attract more customers, and build a stronger online presence.