Why Google My Business is important & where to go to set it up

A Google My Business listing is a free directory listing that appears when people search for a local product or service (ie. xyz service Christchurch). It usually appears with the Google Map on the first page, under the Google Ads.

This is one of the many amazing benefits of having one of these listings. You’re getting FREE ad on the first page of Google.

The example below shows a search for a cat sitter in Christchurch. The top results are Google Ads, and then in a box with the Google Map are the Google My Business listings showing reviews and key contact information in actionable formats (meaning you can click through to the website, or on a mobile click to call the business instantly).

• Be found easily on Google.
• Show up on Google Map Searches.
• Can collect online reviews (Trust Factor).
• Learn about your business without having to go to your website.
• FREE advertising.

A potential customer didn’t hear back from his usual plumber, and so he searched for someone else local.

The same day, Smartflow Plumbing & Gas had their Google My Business listing go live. As a result, Smartflow won the bathroom job worth $5k (reno and gas conversion).

He also gathered 2 reviews, using a custom email we set up for him for inviting clients, which sends people directly to the review form on his Google My Business Page. Reviews will help him build a great reputation online and compete in the market.

Aaron got another enquiry for a gas fire later that week.

1. Go to Google My Business.
2. When you’re on the Google My Business website click Start Now in the green button top right.
3. Follow the directions.

Before you start make sure you have the following organised.

• Whether you want people to know your address or if you want your home/office address to be hidden. A Google My Business listing is a location based product, and therefore an address needs to be aligned with it. You will be sent a postcard to verify your address as part of the set up process. For people who don’t want their address publicly shown, for example if they work from home, there is an option to display a service area on the map instead.

• Have your logo ready to upload. This needs to fit in a square profile template. The ideal file types are jpg or png. Make sure there is enough background colour around your logo in the file, for the entire logo to be visible when cropping to a square.

• Have images that relate to your products/services ready to upload. Make sure you name each image with the service types or what products they are. Naming your images with services, product and company names can help search engine optimisation too. Example: a picture of nice tap ware in a bathroom could be named “stainless_steel_premium_tapware_Smartflow_Plumbing.jpg"

• Have appropriate images of your staff/team ready to upload.