Google Business Page 101

Google Business Pages are a tool for your business to showcase its online presence on Google, including search results and Google Maps. Once you claim and optimize your GBP, customers can find your business in Google search and Maps when it matters most - when they are looking for your business, your product, or your service. (See below for “before and after” example - Google Business Page is in the red box on right)

When someone does a direct search for your business, your Google Business Page appears on the right hand side of the search results. (See red box below). This information serves as a quick reference guide for people researching your business by showing the most commonly sought after information. This allows users to get key information on your business, including photos, reviews, your business address and phone number, hours, product or service information and more.

What Are The Benefits?

1. An optimized Google Business Page will help you to be found and trusted by new clients by improving your overall visibility, positively promoting your products or services and allowing your business to appear in Google Maps.

   1. Get into Google Maps search results. Google Business Pages are integrated into Google Maps. 

   2. Boost your SEO. Optimized Google Business Pages signal to Google that your business is active and current and impacts your SEO performance.

   3. Increased exposure on Google. Approximately 40% of a desktop computer’s screen (and 100% of the top of a phone’s screen) is dedicated to your business.

   4. Build consumer confidence. A current and professional presence increases the likelihood of your business being found and converting prospects to customers. 

   5. Build your online reputation with reviews and 5-star ratings. Your Google Business Page has a dedicated page to your client reviews and testimonials.

   6. Enable Google Posts - you can promote your products, specials, offers and announcements for free on Google.

   7. Allow customers to contact you directly through phone calls, text messages and the appointment link.

Get In Google Maps

Google Business Pages are a crucial component to being found in Google search results. Without a properly optimized Google Business Page, a business will not appear in Google Maps. Setting up and using the GBP features send signals to Google that your business is active and relevant. Adding photos, receiving and responding to reviews, making Google Posts and using the others features all have a positive impact on search engine optimization (SEO) and will have a significant impact on your business’s find-ability.

Google’s algorithm is known to favor businesses with “authority.” Building out and consistently adding to your Google Business Page content builds your authority with Google and directly impacts where your business will appear in Google search and Maps. Google does not charge for Google Business Pages and they have many benefits for businesses.

Your Content Is Integrated Into Google Maps

When a prospect clicks on your listing in Google Maps (above) your Google My Business Page appears (below) giving your potential customers direct access to your businesses key information, including reviews, consumer rating, (1-5 stars), photos, your location integrated with Google Maps, hours, product information and more.

 Google Business Page Features

Elements Of An Optimized Google Business Page

Some of the features appear automatically and others need to be activated in the Google Business Page dashboard.

Photos
Google Maps integration
Directions Button
Consumer star rating (one to five stars)
A link to the business’s website
Reviews
Review responses
Business location
Hours
Phone number
Appointment link
Business description
Product or Service features
Questions and Answers (serves as a FAQs)
Google Posts

Google Dashboard. Many of the above features need to be activated on the Google Business Page dashboard, which is accessible once a Google Business Page is claimed and verified. The dashboard also gives insights on traffic and search volume.

Google Business Pages on Mobile Phones

Google Business Pages are extremely prominent on mobile devices because they take up the entire screen. With up to 8 navigation options, it looks and functions like a website, and most of the information someone is seeking can be found right on the Google Business Page.

The screenshot on the left does not have a Google Business Page simply because they haven’t registered for it with Google. While their website and other results (Yelp listing, for example) appear, this company does not appear in Google Maps. For Google Maps, Google simply doesn’t recognize businesses that haven’t properly established a Google Business Page.