Ninety-three percent of online experiences begin with a search engine, with Google holding over 90 percent of the total search market share.

Since 90 percent of searchers haven’t made up their minds about a brand before starting a search, your business has a huge opportunity to win customers by simply being digitally discoverable and informative.

So, does your business show up?

If you have a Google My Business account, it will.

During COVID-19, your customers spend even more time online to find what they need.

Google My Business allows you to create a listing for your business on Google­­, complete with the necessary information your potential customers need to visit, make a purchase from, or contact your company. In essence, this digital directory helps connect local consumers to you. If you’re not using it, you risk customers not finding you or seeing false information about your brand.

Read on to see why your business––big or small–-needs to add Google My Business to its marketing plan now.

It’s free. What’s free anymore? Google My Business, that’s what. There are no hidden costs or fees, and everyone gets the same product, regardless of company size or marketing budget. It’s easy to sign up and create your listing here, or we can get you set up and optimize your listing, free of charge, following a quick phone call.

It puts your business on the map. Literally. When you have a Google My Business account, your company gets priority on the first page of Google searches and Google Maps. Forty-six percent of Google searches have local intent, so when someone searches a coffee shop, chiropractor, or restaurant “near me,” it’s critical that your business (as it relates to the search) pops up as a viable choice. Your Google My Business presence ensures this.

Suddenly, you’re searchable. Despite its affordability, Google My Business can be one of your most effective SEO tools. In addition to getting your company “on the map,” your account boosts your search position to page one. Want to be included in the coveted Google Local 3-Pack? This trio of businesses Google considers to be the most relevant and credible to the query, and the searcher’s location is 25 percent determined by your Google My Business presence.

It keeps you credible and in control. With a Google My Business account, you can keep customers informed about the services your company offers, business hours, and other pertinent information, and this info can be updated easily at any time. Additionally, customers can post reviews, ratings, and photos to your company listing, which can help build credibility––research by Think With Google finds that 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations––and boost your search ranking. Pro tip: responding to reviews (positive and negative) will give you a higher rating!

You gain essential intel on your customers. To best serve your customers, you have to know who they are. As a Google My Business user, you have free access to an “Insights” page that offers just that: who your customers are, how they engage with you, and your company’s overall visibility. With this crucial information at your fingertips, you can best adjust your marketing strategy to meet your target audience’s needs.