Google My Business: Confusing? Yes, Ever Changing? Yes, Important? You Bet!
NOTE: TO GET THE MOST FROM THIS SUMMARY, YOU NEED TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
What is Google My Business (GMB)?
It’s all in the name really; it’s Google’s proprietary means of connecting “local” businesses with people looking for them or their general type of business.
It’s confusing because;
It’s Google! – that’s how they counter those who want to beat the system.
It got mixed up with Google’s attempt to combine everything under the “Google+” banner; (a sort of hybrid Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Yellow Pages combination designed by a committee).
It’s even more confusing because it appears to have had more incarnations than ‘Doctor Who’ with the presentation/guidelines and procedures changing constantly. What will it look like in 2017? – who knows!
But the same underlying “Doctor” is still there……
That’s why it’s important. Because Google use it to populate loads of very valuable places (like at the top of Google searches) and increasingly draw on it for its ‘local’ (i.e. geographic) text and map searches; particularly for mobile devices.
What does it look like today?
Simply do a general search for a typical ‘local business; from accountant to hairdresser, hotel to language school, as long as your terms include a type of business that is searched for and a locality (town, city, county) you should (just below those paid for ads) see a map and three highlighted results with a ‘more’ that takes you to a map listing.
So how valuable are these results?
Can you buy that position? No.
Can anyone categorically tell you how to get at the top of the list? Nope – but I’ve got an idea that may help…
But doesn’t my website do this for me? Why not see for yourself…
Search for your business name and location.
On a PC/laptop. Hopefully the website is top of left column as a textual result? Well look now at the top right where (dependent upon how well structured the business’s GMB is) you will see Photos, Reviews, Opening Times and even a “Street View” or “See Inside” internal virtual tour.
On a mobile/tablet. Before you get to any websites you’ll find the businesses GMB tab, select “More Info” and the same information is displayed.
So how do I get, or refine/improve my/my clients GMB page.
Most of the guidelines including how to “Get onto Google” are at: www.google.co.uk/business/
Google Places for Business is now a part of Google My Business, which brings together the best of Google, all in one spot. Use Google My Business to edit your business info on Search, Maps and more, share news and updates with potential customers.
However if you/your clients want more information please feel free to contact me: peter@360vista.net or visit Kent-360°
This is the first part in a two part series; the second will focus on the area of 360° virtual tours and imaging. I am off to the Google Street View Summit in Amsterdam at the end of the month and expect some significant announcements. I’ve got some ideas: will I be right?
Peter Ryder is Managing Director of 360 Vista Limited, putting Kent’s towns and businesses on the (Google) Map.