New Google My Business Features
Google My Business is a great tool for promoting your business online and improving your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). If you didn’t already know, it is important to claim your listing and keep it up to date with photos and posts. Now Google has announced the addition of some new Google My Business (GMB) features “to help businesses make their Profiles as unique as they are and as descriptive as the queries that get customers there“. After the recent Google+ shutdown it seems that this is a step towards giving GMB users more social media style options.
Although it seems to be just in the US at the moment, we’re sure these new tools will be rolled out in the UK soon.
Welcome offers
Who doesn’t love a special offer? According to Google, “more than half of online customers are looking for an offer or discount”. Business owners will soon be able to create welcome offers to reward new followers (the option to follow a business on Google Maps is also new).
Short names and URLs
Another new feature is the ability to create a short name and URL for your business listing. This will make it easier to promote your GMB listing (for example, if you’re asking for a review). People will also soon be able to search these short names in Google Maps.
Cover photos and photo displays
Along with being able to follow a business, adding a cover photo is another new feature that definitely gives it a more social platform type feel.
To optimise your listing you should upload photos regularly (the easiest way is to download the GMB app). Google has announced that photos uploaded by a business will “appear instantly and prominently on a new dynamic module on the Profile”. Photo captions will also be coming soon.
Logo
If you have filled in all the core information on your listing (opening hours, contact information etc) you can have another branding opportunity, with your logo displayed on the right-hand side of your listing.
Google’s new Marketing Kit website
As well as the new features, there is also a new Marketing Kit website where you can create posters, stickers and social media posts from your Google reviews and highlights to promote your GMB listing.
https://www.blog.google/products/maps/helping-businesses-capture-their-identity-google-my-business/
https://marketingkit.withgoogle.com/
