Your Google+ Business page may look different as of late. On June 11 Google announced some changes to the platform and launched Google My Business, which allows small business owners the ability to access all their Google applications including Google Search, Google+ and Google Maps in one place. Small business owners, the targeted beneficiary of the changes, will only have to enter login and business information once to populate into all of Google’s Services. While Google My Business is meant to benefit small businesses, all Google+ page owners (individuals and businesses) have been upgraded to the new look and platform.
Navigating Google My Business
Like any good instructor, Google provides instructions on how to use the new platform, along with a guided tour of the new updates as soon as you login. After signing up and answering the primary information that Google requests, Google My Business will add the submitted business information to Google Search, Google Maps and Google+.
Google also provides instruction on how to access all of the following Google products on one screen and with one login – the feature that is the star of this update.
- Google+: Share photos, links, events, videos and messages.
- Insights: Once your business is verified, you can get a look into the insights of your engagement, visibility and audience.
- Reviews: Manage your reviews on Google and view additional reviews about your business around the web. Every business also receives a Google rating.
- Google Analytics: Directly and quickly access your Google Analytics dashboard.
- Google Hangout: Start or join a Hangout.
Why Use These Google Services?
Getting your business on Google will help your customers find your business online. By being on all of these Google Platforms, customers can find a business easily, and on any device or service they are using. Customers will be able to see driving directions to your business in Google Maps, know your hours of operation in Google Search and see your phone number displayed online allowing them to call you with a simple click from a mobile phone.
Businesses can post photos, virtual tours, add or update business information like phone, address, store hours, URL and more. Businesses can also read and respond to their businesses Google reviews, see what customers are saying, answer any questions and respond to positive and negative feedback.
By creating a Google+ page, a business can connect with fans and customers directly. A business can also share content, news, promotions, photos and videos.
Customers, Reviews and Ranking
Customers can interact with a business by leaving reviews on a business’s Google+ page, re-sharing a business’s content, and endorsing posts with +1s. For example, positive Google reviews can influence a business’s placement in Google’s Carousel. +1s can help a business website achieve higher search rankings. By connecting a personal Google+ page to content on a blog or website, the content can receive improved visibility in Google search results. All of these actions can help improve a business’s local search visibility ranking, and increase engagement and loyalty between a customer and a business.
How to Setup a Business on Google
- Visit www.google.com/business. Sign in or select “Get on Google”
- Find your business – enter your business name and address into the search box
- Verify your business – Select “Mail me my code.” Google will send you a postcard via USPS with a custom 5 digit verification code printed on it
- Add a business description, contact information, hours of operation, videos and photos
- When you receive your postcard from Google, with your code number, log in and enter the code to verify your business
