The Power of Google Business Listings: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They're Important

‘Do you use Google? 

I’m guessing that answer is a firm yes, it is in our everyday lives somehow, someway.

Need an answer to something? Google it. 

Need directions? Google it.

Looking for a holiday recipe? Google it. 

How many times have you heard that?

Can I be honest with you for a second though? When I started Virtually Brady, I did not know I could set my business up on Google. 🙈

I thought businesses on Google were just ‘put there by them’, that they stumbled upon you and added you to 'the Google'.

I was also under the impression that the Google car I saw driving lots was looking only for the Brick & Mortar businesses to share, when in fact Brick & Mortars aren’t the *only* businesses that can have listings on Google.

Sure, I was using Google, but I clearly was not understanding how it really worked for local and small businesses.

Since then, I have learned many things that I use to help many businesses and entrepreneurs.

If you are a small business owner without a Google Listing, I encourage you to create one – and I promise it’s easier than you think!

Why do you need a Google Listing?

Short answer? To GET FOUND. 

Before I talk more about that, let’s first be clear on what I mean by “Google Listing.” You know when you search something on Google you are fed results that look like this:

Those are ALL examples of Google Business Listings and no matter what you do, YOUR business can have one too!

Now, back to how this can help you be found!

This platform is a free resource not only to share and showcase your business on Google, but to help get your business found, bringing you new customers and business.

Google works to help small, local businesses appear in those “Google it” searches.

The Google Listing is also there to tell your audience about your business, when you are open, and how to connect with you.

Think about it – how many times do you use Google to find the store hours of a business?

For me, that’s at least once a week! Really, anytime I need to know something about a business, I always “Google it” and I bet that you do too!

It is a must to keep hours and contact information CURRENT. Not only do people rely on it, but it is then how they look at your business. If you say you are open and they drive to you and you are closed, that is not a happy customer.

So how does it help you GET FOUND?

Let’s say you have a candy store in Des Moines, Iowa, and want your locals to find you when they are looking for candy. Let’s say one of your top sellers are the ‘dark chocolate peanut butter truffles’. (yes, I am thinking about those right now 😋).

Your Google Listing is there to help you populate in the search results when people search out that specific truffle, or ‘candy store’.

But how does it work? Google “crawls” the keywords and business information on your listing, along with those on your website, to increase your rank in specific searches people do. (think SEO, I am sure you have heard this term before, it is a subject to be discussed further when it comes to online business).

Maybe you are showing up as the 5th store with a “dark chocolate peanut butter truffle” in Des Moines, Iowa. If you use your Google Listing to the fullest, you might move up in that search list and maybe eventually get to that #1 spot.

Sounds awesome, right?

So what can you do to rank higher in local searches?

I have found many businesses that set up their Google Listing and then abandoned it. 🙄

Doing this would be the same as “posting and ghosting” on social media. Not recommended right? Well, the same goes for your Google Listing!

Your Google Listing should be treated very similar to a social media platform, meaning you need to use it, be present, post consistently, and tell your audience about you, using keywords that best fit your business and work alongside your website. 

Some believe that just creating the listing on Google is enough, and while that might hold true at around 2%, it is NOT enough to keep your business high in the searches and found online.

One of the biggest problems I see is so many Google Business Listings are outdated and irrelevant with information, have incorrect business hours, no reviews, or contact information

When a listing has not been updated or engaged with new photos and posts, Google doesn’t see it as an active business because there’s nothing to “crawl.”

To take advantage of this platform, you need to optimize your Google Business Listing so it can appear near the top in local search engine results pages and get you FOUND.

There is also more than a 50% chance when someone sees your listing, they will visit your website, and who doesn't love more website views?!. Once they visit your site, you can now work with them to make a purchase, try your products, join a mailing list, and visit your store in person.

I have clients who saw an increase in foot traffic as well as online sales when we got their listing filled and continually updated.

So Brady, you are telling me I need to do more with my listing?

Yes. There are SEVERAL areas within a Google Listing that should be fully completed and updated often – some once a month, some once a week.

Is it hard?

No.

Is it work? Yes, but it’s really centered more around TIME.

Just like posting on social media takes dedicated time, the same goes for your Google Listing. It takes dedicated, frequent time to keep it as active as possible and to include correct words (good keywords) in many of the sections on a listing.

To get you started on a strong foot, here is a list of the main areas a Google Listing should be completed to the fullest and worked with often (specific details on some areas bring it to its best):

-Profile Description (complete all words)

-Photos (min. one a month)

-Store Hours (update always!!)

-Reviews (ask for them)

-Review Responses (done timely)

-Posts (one every 7 days)

-Locations (up to 18)

-Service Categories (get specific to search words)

When it comes to your business specifically, there are various things you can do to optimize your Google Listing to ensure it’s populating in search results. This is something that I offer to my clients and is one of the ways I help people as a VA.

Don't Miss Out on Google

Overall, having a FREE platform available to you, that is there to help your business GET FOUND, is not something I would ever pass on or ignore.

USING IT AND UPDATING IT OFTEN is how you can rank higher in location searches.

If you are looking for more customers, clients and a growth in your business, this platform should be looked at.

Worried about not having the TIME to do it yourself? I get that! CLICK HERE to connect to see how I can help make it the best for you!