Get Your Business on the Map: Steps to Claiming Your Google Business Profile

So, you’ve finally decided to take the plunge into the wild world of online selling. Congratulations! Now, let’s talk about getting your business noticed in the vast sea of the internet. Ever heard of Google My Business? Think of it as your virtual storefront on the internet to anyone who’s researching online for products or services similar to yours. 

With Google My Business (GMB), merchants can list their businesses online, adding details such as physical address, phone number, website link, and hours of operation. Merchants can also upload photos of products or services, menu items, or give people a sneak peek of what they can expect when they walk through their doors. 

Additionally, GMB also provides merchants with the ability to engage with customers through chat. So, whether a customer is requesting information or just giving you feedback, being able to engage with them directly in a casual way will show them that you care, which in the era of AI and automated messages, says a lot about a business.

Apart from that, GMB also provides merchants with a dashboard that displays all sorts of valuable insights, like how many people are clicking on your website, requesting directions to your store, or giving you a call. Don’t underestimate these numbers because they are a clear indicator of how people are interacting (or not!) with your business profile. Take note of these insights and try to understand the messages hidden in this data. For instance, if you see a high volume of website clicks but zero new purchases on your website, it's time to do a further research and take action to identify any barriers or patterns that are stopping customers from making a purchase, such as a clunky and very long checkout process, unclear product or menu descriptions, poor-quality pictures, or an inconvenient customer journey.

How to claim a Google My Business Account

Start by searching for your business on Google. If your business is already listed on Google Maps or in search results, you'll see a listing with basic information like your business name, address, and phone number.

If you see a link that says "Own this business?" or "Claim this business", go ahead and click on it. This will take you to the Google My Business website.

Here’s the link to sign up.

You'll need to sign into your Google Account in order to claim your business. If you don't have a Google Account, you can create one for free. Here’s the link.

Google will ask you to verify that you're the rightful owner of the business. You may need to provide some additional information, such as your business address or phone number, to verify your ownership.

Google offers several verification methods to prove that you're the owner of the business. The most common method is to receive a postcard at your business address that includes a verification code. You'll need to enter this code into your Google My Business account to complete the verification process.

Once you've chosen a verification method and submitted your request, you'll need to wait for Google to verify your business. This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the verification method you chose and your location.

After successfully completing the verification process, you'll receive confirmation that you've claimed ownership of your business on Google My Business.

Once verified, you'll gain access to the Google My Business dashboard, where you can manage and update your business information, respond to reviews, add photos, and make use of several other features to enhance your online presence.

Benefits of Adding your LoyLap Link to your Google My Business Profile to Enable Customers Order Online 

Apart from the clear benefits of owning a GMB account, you can also supercharge your profile with the power of LoyLap technology. By adding the link to your LoyLap’s online ordering system, you would reduce the steps customers need to take to place an order, all while earning loyalty rewards in case this feature is active.

Eliminating Friction for more Convenience

In today's fast-paced digital world, customers demand convenience. They want things to be easy and straightforward. Adding a LoyLap link to your GMB profile streamlines the customer journey by reducing unnecessary steps. Instead of asking customers to jump through hoops - like visiting your Instagram page or navigating to your website - they can simply click on the LoyLap link and be directed straight to your online ordering system. 

Catering to Impatient Customers

Online consumers have zero patience. It's like they have the attention span of a goldfish. If you make it difficult for them to order from you, they'll likely abandon the ship and sail right over to your competitor. By providing a direct link to LoyLap's online ordering system on your GMB profile, you're catering to the needs of these impatient customers. You're giving them a quick and easy way to make a purchase without having to navigate through multiple steps or platforms.

Maximise Conversion

By making it as easy as possible for customers to order from your business, you're maximising your chances of converting them into paying customers. With a simple click of a button, they can go from discovering your business on Google to placing an order in a matter of seconds. It's the ultimate shortcut to sales success.

Tips to create your GMB description: Boost Your Business Visibility Online with Content That Helps You Get Found on Google

Optimising your GMB profile with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential to improve your business's ranking in relevant Google searches conducted by potential customers. But before we jump onto the tips, don't be scared by such a fancy name as Search Engine Optimization. In human vocabulary, this essentially means incorporating relevant keywords into your online content to match your customers searches when they search online,

Here's how to do it:

Competitor Analysis:

Take a look at your competitors' websites, social media profiles, and Google My Business listings. Pay attention to the keywords they're using in their content, titles, and descriptions. This can give you insight into what terms are relevant to your business.

Look for relevant keywords online: 

on platforms like Google Keyword Planner or Answer the Public. Simply type a relevant keyword associated with your business, and these websites will provide you with valuable insights into what people are searching for. Integrate them into your profile description to improve visibility in search results.

Customer Feedback:

Don't forget to listen to your customers! Pay attention to the language they use when talking about your products or services. Customer feedback, reviews, and questions can provide valuable insights into the keywords and phrases that resonate most with them.

Don't limit your keywords to your GMB profile only:

Once you have figured out what people are searching online when looking for business similars to yours, implement these keywords into all your pieces of content, whether is a Tik Tok video, Instagram post, or any relevant information you might highlight on your website. 

Post content to your GMB profile:

Many businesses make the mistake of creating a GMB profile and then forgetting about it. Don’t follow their lead. Google search engines also take into consideration updated content when analysing if your profile matches the customers' searches. Try to consistently upload content to your profile, aiming for at least two posts per week. You can repurpose whatever you are already posting on your social media platforms; just add your keywords and edit the copy slightly as search engines don't like duplicate content. 😅

Encourage customers to leave Google reviews:

More positive reviews boost your GMB profile's ranking on Google. Offer incentives like loyalty rewards in exchange for reviews. Remember, customers are more likely to leave bad reviews without any incentives, so always give them a reason to share their positive experiences.

To wrap it up!

Claiming your Google My Business profile isn't just a box to check – it's a strategic move to improve your online presence and draw in more customers, whether they're browsing online or looking to step through your doors. 

But why stop there? Integrating LoyLap technology into your GMB profile takes your customer journey to the next level. With seamless ordering capabilities, you're not just attracting customers – you're delighting them with convenience and efficiency.💜 So, don't send this task to the bottom of your to-do list. Follow the steps outlined in this article to claim your Google My Business profile today, and start enjoying the benefits of a well-managed online presence.