The most important facts in brief:
- Google My Business is a free platform that makes your company more visible in Google searches and on Google Maps.
- You can easily manage and update all important information such as opening hours, address and contact options.
- An optimized profile improves your ranking for local search queries and increases your reach.
- With the message and rating function, you can communicate directly with customers and receive valuable feedback.
Whether you run a small café or a regional service business, Google My Business helps you ensure that customers find your business when they are looking for it.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free platform that allows companies to strengthen their presence in Google Search and on Google Maps. In addition to basic information such as opening hours and addresses, it enables direct interaction with customers through reviews, messages and photos.
Advantages of Google My Business – Why it’s worthwhile for your company
Google My Business offers you numerous advantages that make your company more visible, strengthen customer loyalty and increase your reach. Here are the most important reasons why you should use it:
1. better visibility in the region
A well-maintained profile makes your business easier for potential customers to find in Google searches and on Google Maps. Especially for local search queries such as “baker near me”, you can use Google My Business to improve your position in the search results and be found more quickly by customers in your area.
2. direct customer interaction
Google My Business allows you to interact directly with your customers. Reviews, messages and photos help you to build trust and convince customers of your offer. For example, you can establish a direct connection with a quick reply to a message.
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Reviews: By responding to feedback, you show customers that their opinion is valued.
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Message function: Potential customers can send you inquiries directly via your profile – quickly and easily.
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Photos: High-quality images of your products, services or premises give customers a positive first impression.
3. efficient management of your company data
Manage all important information such as opening hours, address and telephone number centrally in one place. This way, customers can always rely on up-to-date information – and you can make changes at any time. This not only makes administration easier for you, but also strengthens the trust of your customers.
4. improved rankings through local SEO
Google My Business is particularly important for companies that want to be found more easily locally. A fully completed profile with relevant keywords increases the likelihood that your company will be displayed higher up in search queries in your region. More visibility means more clicks, more customer contacts and ultimately more sales.
Are you ready to increase your online success?
Make an appointment with us now and find out how we can help you achieve more success in search engine marketing. Whether you run a small business or a large corporation – we have tailor-made solutions for you.Get in touch with us now!
Step-by-step guide to your Google My Business profile
With a Google My Business profile, you can increase the visibility of your company in local search results. Setting it up is easy and free – you can add your company in just a few steps and benefit from increased reach and brand awareness. We’ll show you how to do it!
Step 1: Create account and log in
Visit the Google My Business website and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have an account yet, create one. Then start entering the basic information:
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Name of the company
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Industry and category
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Location (e.g. retail store or metropolitan region for service providers)
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Catchment area (if relevant, up to 20 areas possible)
Step 2: Add company details
Add important details about your company to make your profile meaningful:
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Write a short and memorable company description. Use keywords that customers would use when searching.
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Enter exact opening hours – also on public holidays, if relevant.
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Add your phone number and website URL so customers can easily get in touch.
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If you do not have a fixed location, you can hide the address and only enter a catchment area.
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Upload current photos and videos that professionally present your products, services or premises.
Step 3: Define category and contact options
Choose the category that best describes your offer. Activate the message function and add an FAQ section so that customers can easily get in touch with you. This strengthens interaction and increases accessibility.
Step 4: Carry out verification
Finally, you must confirm your company. Google offers several verification options:
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Postcard: You will receive a confirmation code by post.
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Phone: The code will be sent to your phone number.
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E-Mail: Google will send you a verification link.
After successful verification, your profile is active and visible to customers!
Our step-by-step guide will help you create your profile:
Optimization of the Google My Business profile
An optimized profile increases the visibility of your company and promotes customer loyalty. Provide clear, search-relevant information such as name, address, telephone number (NAP data) and opening hours – including public holidays. Choose a suitable category and use high-quality photos and videos to create a professional impression of your company profile.
A well-maintained profile makes it easier for customers to find you and contact you directly. Activate the message function to answer inquiries in real time and add products or services to present your offer clearly. Keep your profile up to date with regular posts and updates to increase your reach and keep potential customers informed.
You can use Google My Business Insights to analyze valuable data on the use of your company profile and make targeted optimizations. A well-maintained company profile not only strengthens your online presence in online marketing, but also increases your professionalism and boosts your chances of acquiring new customers.
Optimization steps at a glance:
| Optimization step | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Company description | Clear, keyword-rich description | Max. 750 characters |
| NAP data | Name, address, telephone number | State completely and correctly |
| Category | Matching the company offer | Choose from approx. 4,000 options |
| Opening hours | Regular and holiday times | Always keep up to date |
| Photos/Videos | High-quality, appealing content | At least 720×720, 10 KB – 5 MB |
| Products/Services | Present offers clearly | Supplement with short descriptions and keywords |
| Message function | Direct communication with customers | Activate and answer regularly |
| Contributions and updates | Information on promotions, products or news | Publish new content regularly |
| Google My Business Insights | Analyze usage and identify potential for improvement | Check and adjust regularly |
By consistently optimizing your Google My Business profile, you can not only increase your visibility, but also improve interaction with customers and strengthen your brand in the long term.
Use of the Google My Business Dashboard
The Google My Business Dashboard is your central platform for managing your company profile and strengthening your online presence.
Always keep your company information such as address, opening hours and contact details up to date. High-quality photos create a professional impression and attract more customers. Publish regular posts about news or promotions to generate attention and increase your reach.
Analyze the statistics to understand how customers use your profile and adapt your content accordingly using the results. Respond actively to customer reviews – thank them for positive feedback and respond professionally to criticism. This will help you build trust in your business and strengthen the bond with your customers.
| Measure | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Current info | Trust and better findability |
| High quality photos | Professional impression and more clicks |
| Publish posts | Greater visibility and reach |
| Answer reviews | Customer loyalty and a better image |
Google My Business Insights: Get more out of your profile
With Insights, you can track how customers find your company and interact with your profile. For example, Google shows you how many users have clicked on “Call”, “Directions” or “Website”.
You can also see which search terms have led to your profile and when your company is searched for particularly often. This data helps you to make targeted improvements and strengthen your online presence.
Integrate photos and videos into your Google My Business profile
Upload images that present your company authentically, e.g. logos, cover photos, product photos, team photos or photos of your premises. Make sure that the photos are at least 720 x 720 pixels in size and in JPG or PNG format. For videos, a maximum length of 30 seconds, at least 720p and a file size of up to 75 MB apply.
Well-placed images and videos show what makes your company special and increase the likelihood that customers will get in touch with you or visit your website. Use this opportunity to make a lasting impression!
Interaction with customers via messages and reviews
Google My Business allows you to communicate directly with your customers. The message and review function is an effective tool for building trust and receiving valuable feedback.
How to respond professionally to reviews
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Positive reviews: Thank them personally, e.g.:
“Thank you very much for your great feedback! We are pleased that you are satisfied.” -
Critical reviews: Remain factual and solution-oriented:
“We are sorry that you were not satisfied. Please contact us so that we can solve the problem.” -
Unfair reviews: You can report offensive or false reviews directly to Google.
Regular and appreciative responses show that you take your customers seriously. This strengthens trust in your company and makes it more attractive to new customers.
Why ratings are important
According to studies, 87% of customers trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. Active review management improves your online reputation, sets you apart from the competition and promotes long-term customer loyalty.
Integrate products and services into Google My Business
Present your products and services directly in your Google My Business profile and make it easy for customers to discover your offer. With clear descriptions and appealing images, you can arouse the curiosity of potential customers and increase your reach.
Tips for appealing company profiles
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Use high-quality photos (at least 1200 × 900 pixels) that present your offer in the best possible way.
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Choose concise product names with a maximum of 58 characters.
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Write meaningful descriptions (up to 1000 characters) that contain all the important details.
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Ensure that your products are clearly visible on desktops and mobile devices.
According to Google, appropriate product and service details can significantly increase the click-through rate (CTR). A well-maintained profile helps you to reach more potential customers and tailor your offer to the needs of your target group. Use this opportunity to gain new customers and increase your sales.
This table summarizes the functions and their benefits once again:
| Function | Recommendation | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Product images | 1200×900 pixels | Attractive visual presentation |
| Product name | Max. 58 characters | Concise and meaningful designation |
| Product description | Up to 1000 characters | Detailed information for customers |
| Visibility | Desktop & mobile devices | Reach all potential customers |
Legal information: Data protection and guidelines
Make sure that the information about your company complies with Google’s privacy policy. Incorrect information (e.g. inaccurate locations) or keyword stuffing can lead to your profile being blocked.
We also advise you to keep your website’s privacy policy up to date and link to it. This transparency strengthens the trust of your customers and protects you from legal problems.
Conclusion
Google My Business is an essential tool for any business that wants to strengthen its online presence. The platform offers you an easy way to manage important information such as opening hours, address and contact details and to reach customers via Google Maps and search – and it’s completely free.
With an optimized profile, you can improve your ranking for local search queries and make more potential customers aware of your offer. The message and review function in particular are valuable tools for interacting directly with customers, receiving feedback and building trust.
Update your data regularly, upload new photos and publish articles. This is how you present your company professionally. The Insights function also helps you to constantly improve your profile and better understand how customers interact with your company.
Google My Business is more than a digital business card – it’s a powerful marketing tool that helps you to be visible locally, increase your reach and retain customers in the long term. Get started today and take your business to the next level!
FAQ
What is Google My Business and what does it do for me as a company?
Google My Business is a free platform that you can use to improve your company’s online presence on Google Maps and for a search engine. You benefit from more visibility, leads, interaction with customers and easy management of your company information.
What are the specific advantages of a Google My Business entry?
With an optimized profile, you will be found better in search results, increase customer contact through news and reviews, provide important information such as opening hours and telephone number, advertise events and offers and visualize your company with photos – and all this for free!
How do I set up my Google My Business profile?
In just a few steps: Go to the Google My Business website, connect your account, enter your industry, location and category, add contact details and catchment area. Then add a description, opening hours, photos and website and finally verify your business. Your basic profile is ready!
How can I optimize my profile for better search results?
Write a meaningful description with relevant keywords, add complete location information, opening hours and appealing photos. Activate the news function, add your products and services. Stay active with posts about events and offers. Get the most out of your profile!
What options does the Google My Business Dashboard offer me?
In the dashboard, you can create posts, update your company information, view statistics on views and target group and respond directly to customer reviews. Use these functions to actively interact with customers and manage your presence.
How important are photos and videos for my company profile?
Very important! With appealing images in various categories such as logo, cover picture, products or team, you convey an authentic impression and strengthen the trust of potential customers. Use the power of visualization to present your company in the best possible way.
What is the best way to deal with customer reviews and inquiries?
Respond promptly, individually and appreciatively to questions, criticism and praise. Respond to comments and say thank you for feedback. Through this dialog, you show presence, build trust with people and strengthen customer loyalty. Your reputation will thank you for it!
Can I also present my product range on Google My Business?
Yes, add your products and services with meaningful descriptions and photos. You can add new items via the sales channel. Make it easy for customers to discover your offer directly on Google My Business and use the platform as an additional sales channel.
Can Google My Business be linked with Google Ads?
Absolutely! Connect both accounts to place even more targeted ads. With ads tailored to your offer, you can reach exactly your desired target group. This will significantly increase the effectiveness of your online presence and generate more leads.
