Google never fails to update its features. A Google My Business account helps your business show up in search results when people are searching online for products and services.
Even better? Google My Business is totally FREE, making it an affordable marketing tool for any business.
When your Google My Business profile is optimized, it is easy for consumers to discover, learn about, and contact your business. Google My Business highlights significant features of your business, so it is highly recommended that you build out your profile.
Will Google My Business Be Effective?
“According to Google, customers are 70% more likely to visit businesses with a complete Google My Business listing, and that has been validated by our customers that have seen a significant lift in their web and foot traffic thanks to their Google My Business presence,” said Penny Wilson, CMO of Hootsuite after the announcement of the partnership of both companies and future applications.
Since Google has a strong reputation as a reputable ranking search engine, many businesses will opt to use this feature to help boost their ratings.
What Happens if Businesses Do Not Use Google My Business?
Whether businesses like it or not, Google My Business isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. It’s essential to understand how not utilizing this Google feature could potentially damage your online reputation.
You Have Less Control Over Business Reviews
Without a Google My Business account, you cannot respond to Google reviews, and this could lead to lower rankings, unresolved negative feedback, and an unappealing business profile. It’s imperative since reviews will be ranked on Google and manage the dialogue about your business to protect your online reputation.
Google recently released a new tool that tells the status of reported reviews that violate their policy as discussed in our last blog post about fake reviews. Without a Business Profile, you cannot report any Google reviews that may be harming your reputation.
Continue reading to the conclusion for more information regarding reputation management software and how to manage your online reputation better.
You Can Fall in Google Rankings
Let’s face it, and most people use Google for searches, and rankings have a massive impact on your online presence. A Google business profile managed through a Google My Business account, however, can be optimized to rank above competitors for relevant keyword searches and can help boost ratings over your competitors.
You Could Lose Customers
Without a Google My Business account, you don’t have control over the information displayed in your Business Profile, and you can easily lose control of your business narrative. Creating a business profile is a way to enhance your business to capture as many consumers as possible.
You Might Have Competition
Having an unclaimed Business Profile is essentially like having an empty store. Not taking care of your profile and online presence might look unprofessional to potential customers, and they’ll reach out to competitors. People are more likely to engage in an active business profile. Don’t lose out on your competition!
Automation Software for Online Reviews
It’s a lot to keep track of all online reviews, but there are ways to simplify the process! You don’t have to stress managing your Google My Business reviews with an automated online reputation software.
You can invest in reputation software to help notify you of any changes to your online platform and assist in rectifying the issue, therefore protecting your online presence. Schedule a demo today!
