“FREE? How can I make my business grow for FREE?!”
“What in this world is FREE?”
Well… not much. But there is a way to grow your business using a common yet overlooked free tool that Google offers.
What is that tool, you ask?
Google Business Profile. Or, as it was formerly known, “Google My Business.”
What is a Google Business Profile? I’m glad you asked.
A Google Business Profile is a free business listing through Google that appears when customers search for your business or products/services related to your business on Google Maps and Search.
When you set up and verify your business profile, you can control how your business appears across Google. Customers can use your Google Business Profile to understand more about your business before they even step foot in your door. They can see your hours, location, contact information, reviews, and more.
For over 10 years, I have worked with clients across the United States, helping them with their marketing strategies. Google Business Profile is a tool that my team and I use daily to help manage and grow my clients’ businesses.
Many don’t know how important this tool can be for their business. Below are some of the problems I’ve noticed with different businesses concerning their Google Business Profile, as well as the creative and effective solutions we’ve found to solve their problems.
What Many Practices Don’t Know About Google Business Profile
Some of the problems we have found that many practices have regarding their Google Business Profile are listed below.
- They don’t understand the importance of a Google Business Profile. Many medical practices don’t understand how influential a Google Business Profile actually is. As a result, they are not attracting any potential patients by this means.
- They need to make sure their information is listed accurately. When your Google Business Profile has incorrect or inconsistent information listed, such as the wrong phone number, address, business hours, or website, then it is tough for Google to verify your account and for others to view your practice as reputable and trustworthy. As a result, this will decrease traffic to your business and lower your chances of potential patients finding you online.
How We’ve Helped Our Clients Using Google Business Profile
We onboarded a client who had paid little to no attention to their Google Business Profile. They had inaccurate information and barely any pictures or reviews.
What we did was optimize all of their online profiles, including their Google Business Profile. We ensured that all the information for their business, such as the address, phone number, website link, and photos, were accurate and consistent throughout all of their online accounts, especially on their Google Business Profile.
We then used a UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) code titled “GMB referral” to see the conversion rate of patients acquired through the updated Google Business Profile. As a result of us optimizing their online accounts, the conversion rate from those who saw their Google Business Profile raised, and more people found and contacted their practice to book an appointment.
Below you can see an image that shows the rise in conversion rate that the client experienced from patients who viewed their Google Business Profile after we optimized it.
Tips on How to Use Google Business Profile
The four components and tips for effectively utilizing a Google Business Profile are listed below.
- Correct information. It is important to ensure that the correct information for your practice is listed in your Google Business Profile. These include your address, business hours, phone number, and website link. Make sure that this information is the same throughout all of your online profiles. This will help potential patients easily contact and visit your practice and make it easier for Google to recognize and verify your business.
- Images. Make sure to use high-quality photos to showcase your products, services, and location. This will help others visualize your practice and build trust before they walk through the door.
- Reviews. It is very helpful to have a lot of patient reviews on your Google Business Profile. Encourage patients to leave reviews to show potential patients what others think of your practice. This can be done by reaching out to patients after they visit your office and asking them via text and/or email to rate and/or describe their experience.
- Categories. A good practice for a Google Business Profile is fully utilizing the categories and services section listed within the profile. It is essential to have specialties listed in the category section to further set your business apart from competitors.
What Is the Benefit of Using Google Business Profile in Healthcare Marketing?
There are many benefits to optimizing your Google Business Profile when it comes to healthcare marketing in general. In many ways, a Google Business Profile can be viewed as an online storefront.
Patients will be able to see and interact with your practice before they even walk through your doors. This is a great way to connect with new patients and control how your business appears on Google.
Enhance the Online Visibility of Your Practice!
Optimizing your Google Business Profile increases the online visibility of your practice as it allows someone searching for a practitioner near them on Google to easily find and contact you!
This is a free tool that is available to everyone. A successful Google Business Profile can be set up quickly. However, it has to be set up properly. Without expertise, some business owners may find it difficult to set up their accounts properly so that Google can verify them.
Our team of trained local search professionals at Golden Tide Consulting can help you overcome that hurdle and take the stress off of you! I am proud to say that 100% of our clients are successfully using Google Business Profile.
Are you interested in learning more about Google Business Profile? Contact us today to take advantage of our expertise and increase your practice’s online visibility!
