Today, Google announced that the name of its local business listing platform, Google My Business (GMB), will be changed to Google Business Profile.
“Moving forward, we recommend small businesses manage their profiles directly on Search or Maps. To keep things simple, “Google My Business” is being renamed “Google Business Profile.” And in 2022, we’ll retire the Google My Business app so more merchants can take advantage of the upgraded experience on Search and Maps. The existing Google My Business web experience will transition to primarily support larger businesses with multiple locations, and will be renamed “Business Profile Manager.” wrote Matt Madrigal, VP/GM Merchant Shopping, in the official announcement.
So what does this mean for small business owners like you?
Why Even Use Google Business Profile For Local SEO?
Businesses love getting local visitors to their websites and/or storefront and Google happens to have a monopoly on that.
Google Business Profile (formerly known as GMB) is Google’s go-to product for local SEO, and it should be the core focus of your online marketing strategy if you want to drive foot traffic to your store or website.
Google Business Profile is without a doubt the best local SEO strategy that you can use to rank higher on Google.
According to Envoca, businesses with an up-to-date Google Business Profile:
- Are 2.7x more likely to be considered reputable.
- Get 7x more clicks.
- Are 70% more likely to attract location visits.
- Are 50% more likely to lead to a purchase.
So What’s New With Google Business Profile?
The option to edit your Business Profile information from search has been available for months, but you may now complete verification or handle other problems with your Business Profile right from search.
To do so, simply search for your business’s name on Google or the Google Maps app and select “verify my business profile” or “resolve other problems with my profile, such as a suspension.”
Credit: https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/connect-local-holiday-shoppers/
You may also edit the information that people see when they search for your business, such as your address and opening hours, make postings, respond to reviews, and more.
Not much else is known about the new Google Business Profile but I am sure new information will be pouring in over the next few weeks.
How Does This Affect Your Business?
I don’t see any of these changes affecting your business if you’re following Google’s guidelines.
On the contrary, based on past experience, I wouldn’t be shocked if your business saw a boost in rankings.
That being said, if you’re one of those business owners that try to “game” the system by stuffing keywords or using non-relevant categories for your business, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the opposite effect.
Keep it clean, follow the guidelines and no matter how many updates Google puts out, your business will always be safe.
Conclusion
Google My Business (GMB) was launched in June 2014 and will be phased out in the early part of 2022 for small businesses.
The Google My Business app will still be available for large businesses and companies with many locations to manage.
However, those of us with small businesses and few locations will have to get used to the new big boy in town “Google Business Profile.”
Yes! We will have to say goodbye to GMB and hello to Google Business Profile.
Need Help Managing Your Google Business Profile?
When I started Unique Web Designer as a lone wolf the most difficult thing for me to do was decide how many hats I wanted to wear as the business grew.
Do I continue being a developer while also trying to increase my client base and managing all the web design projects that came through our doors?
When you start from the bottom and see your business grow it’s so difficult to let others handle certain aspects of the business.
However, there comes a time that you must choose decide how to best use your time.
In my case, I had to stop being so involved in the development process and hiring people that could do it better than me.
My time is better spent promoting the business and handling client interactions.
Are you in that phase of your business but don’t know anything about handling your Google My Business profile? Or shall I say “Google Business Profile?”
If so, contact me so that we can go over your business objectives and figure out the best strategy for making sure you reach your goals with the help of our local SEO services.
