Before the Internet came into existence, people would look for businesses through the Yellow Pages. That has been done away with and search engines have made it easier for people to find the businesses they’re looking for.
With the advent of leaving reviews, it has become easier for customers to separate trusted businesses from scam artists. One of the more popular search engines is Google, so it might be a good idea to have a Google My Business Profile. If you’re not sure what it is, then worry no longer. You’ll learn how to create one and how to put it to good use to increase your customer base.
What is Google Business Profile?
The Google My Business Profile is a tool that helps any business with their digital marketing for real estate. It makes it easier for potential customers to find real estate businesses in your area. And if you have a Google Business Profile page, then your business is going to show up higher on the results page of the search engine. One of the main differences between Google My Business and Google Business Profile is that you have the ability to edit your profile from the results page when you’re logged into your account.
Why Google Business Profile is Important for Real Estate
With a Google Business Profile, you’ll have more visibility online, thereby increasing your conversion rate with potential customers. There’s the added bonus of clients leaving reviews so that visitors can read people’s real experiences with businesses. Have good reviews? Then you’re likely to end up higher on the results page as well. Information about your business will be displayed and entice people to visit your website.
Most Google Business Profiles are for businesses that have a physical address, but it still works for those that are hybrids, such as visiting customers directly instead of having them come to a physical address. Another added benefit is that if you have multiple locations, you can create a profile for each one.
Creating A Google Business Profile
The first thing you want to do is to visit www.google.com/business/ to see if an account already exists; if not, then you should create one and go to “Manage Now.” You are then prompted to enter a name and address for your business, as well as a phone number. This should be consistent with the information that you have on your business website so that there’s no confusion for your customers.
Include The Various Areas You Serve
Let people know if you’re able to service people outside of your location. That way, your business is labeled as a Service Area Business covering multiple locations instead of just at your physical address.
Alternatively, you can add the areas you serve by zip code so that you have more control over where you’ll be found in a search. Make sure you only add zip codes that you’re interested in serving.
Choose A Category For Your Profile
Your Google Business Profile can be tailored in any way that best suits your business. For example, if you’re a single agent with a single business with a physical agent, you can choose to list yourself as a “real estate agent.” Alternatively, if you’re setting your profile up as a business, then you want to list it as a “real estate agency.” If agents are set up with their own profiles as individuals, then they’re going to be competing against the company itself.
Build Up Your Profile
After ensuring that all of your contact info is consistent, then you should probably add a logo and cover photo to improve brand recognition. You want your business to be instantly recognizable, no matter where potential customers are. Include your business hours and photos of your business to help people know that you’re a legitimate business. Photos can also help potential customers find your business if they have to come to your physical address.
Lastly, you should add a description to your Google Business Profile. Your description is essentially a paragraph or two of your selling points: the important keywords that are used in search engines to boost visibility and traffic.
Post To Your Page
Once your Google Business Profile has been established, you should treat it like a social media account. This means that it should be updated on a regular schedule and it should be kept active. You can do this by adding listings, any articles that mention your business, local news, awards your business has received, and more. Include an “About” section with photos of you and your staff to make your page look more personable. You want your business to look approachable so that customers are more likely to take a trip to your location. Not only will you educate and inform potential leads, but you’ll also be boosting your SEO in the process.
Keeping It Updated
Once you’ve properly set up your Google Business Profile, you’ll start seeing the results of all your hard work. The traffic to your website should start going up and visibility on the Internet should be boosted. Be mindful that Google is always making frequent updates to the search engine algorithms and you should be kept abreast of these changes. That way, you can make any additional changes you need to your Google Business Profile so that it can continue to remain relevant in the online sphere.
If you’re looking for new ways to boost your SEO and attract more leads to your business, then you should definitely consider making a Google Business Profile. You’ll bring more eyes to your real estate business and bring more competition to the local markets.
However, if you’re struggling to get started, be sure to contact a trusted digital specialist or digital advisor to help you. They have the know-how on the tools and methods that can manage and optimize your Profile to improve the running of your business and increase your customer conversion rates. You’ll start to wonder what you did before you made a Google Business Profile.