Google has become the third person in many of our conversations. It plays a huge role in how we figure out Final Jeopardy answers or find a restaurant or choose a financial advisor.
Research even shows that up to 95% of people do not look past the first page of web results, so if you’re on page two, you don’t really exist. One way to show up higher in search results and help your current clients find your business information is to claim and optimize your Google Business Profile page.
What is a Google Business Profile?
Have you noticed that for some searches on Google, there is a little display on the right-hand side that features a local business? It showcases all of the business information including photos, address, phone number, the company’s website link, hours of operation, and more.
Google Business Profile is an important tool that allows you to manage your business presence across Google, including within a search for your business name and on Google Maps. Of course, Google gives businesses with complete Google Business Profile pages a distinct advantage in search results.
Once you set up your page, Google provides you with a helpful dashboard and email with monthly statistics like how many people found you on Google, called you from your Google Business Profile phone number listing, and even how many got directions to your office!
Can Google Business Profile Get You More Prospects?
We know that businesses with complete Google Business Profile pages show up higher in search results for the same keywords. But a well-maintained Google Business Profile account with verified information can get you more clicks and phone calls. Simple actions like adding photos, business hours, and linking your website makes you a more appealing contender to prospective clients who are currently shopping around.
But Wait, GBP Benefits Your Current Clients, Too!
One thing advisors don’t always realize about Google Business Profile is that it’s not just for getting new prospects. Google Business Profile helps make life easy for your existing clients too. Instead of looking up your phone number, they can speak or type your name into Google to call you.
By having quick access to your contact info when they search for your name, you make it easy for them to find and share your info with potential referrals. With the click of a button, they can start a phone call or share your office location and website with a friend.
How to Claim Your Google Business Profile
Your business may already exist on Google even if you have not added it yourself, so you’ll want to make sure to verify that all of the information listed is accurate. First, create a google account if you don’t have one already. Once you have your account you will begin the process of adding or claiming your business here.
If you’d like help creating and optimizing your Google Business Profile page as well as completing up to 20 other local business listings to help you come up higher in search results, check out our Search Engine Optimization Package here.
About Claire
Claire Akin runs Indigo Marketing Agency a marketing firm serving top independent financial advisors. Claire is a former Investment Advisor Representative who holds her MBA in Marketing from the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego as well as a BA in Economics from UC Davis. It’s her goal to help specialist advisors target their ideal prospects with content marketing.