If you’re a local business owner, it probably didn’t take long to determine that attracting and retaining customers is imperative. But being a needle in a stack of needles makes it nearly impossible to stand out from the glut of competition. And how are you supposed But how do you showcase your value proposition? One of the most effective ways is to leverage Google My Business and online reputation management.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free tool that enables you to create and manage your business profile on Google. GMB helps you appear in relevant search results, maps, and other Google products. You can also use GMB to display all the pertinent details about your business, such as your address, phone number, website design, hours, services, photos, and reviews.
What is Online Reputation Management?
Online reputation management is the process of monitoring, managing, and improving your online presence and reputation. It involves responding to customer feedback, generating positive reviews, addressing negative comments, and promoting your brand image. While many view this as tedious, it helps your page grow. It allows you to interact with your customers or potential customers. And it also helps add exposure due to engagement.
Why are these two aspects so crucial for your business?
The benefits of Google My Business and Online Reputation Management include but aren’t limited to:
- Increase your visibility and reach. Since Google is the most popular search engine in the world, with over 90% of the global market share, it would behoove you and your business to optimize your GMB profile. Doing so will increase your chances of being found by potential customers seeking your products or services. Plus, utilizing online reputation management will boost your SEO ranking and drive more organic traffic to your website.
- Build trust and credibility. There is no better form of advertising than “word of mouth” advertising. In other words, customers read reviews. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 87% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase decision, and 79% trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. You can demonstrate your quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction by collecting and showcasing positive reviews (JEG DESIGN INC. proudly boasts 100 5-star reviews). You can also use online reputation management to address negative feedback and resolve customer issues. Which, as many have discovered, can spotlight your company’s personality and how you handle conflict or an unfortunate situation.
Enhance your brand image and value. Google My Business and online reputation management can help you create consistency. As any expert in branding will tell you, to have a brand image, you need consistency across all platforms. Do this to highlight your unique selling points, spotlight your achievements, and, most importantly, share your story. This will also allow you to engage with customers, solicit feedback, and offer incentives. Doing so can increase your brand awareness, recognition, and value.
Conclusion
Google My Business and online reputation management are powerful tools that can help you grow your business. And here is the thing: they’re free! Sure, they require time, effort, and expertise to use them effectively. But that’s why you may consider hiring a professional service like JEG DESIGN INC. to help you with these tasks.
JEG DESIGN INC. can help you:
- Set up and optimize your Google My Business profile
- Monitor and manage your online reviews and ratings
- Generate and request more positive reviews from your customers
- Respond to and resolve negative feedback and complaints
- Create and distribute engaging content and promotions
- Analyze and report on your online performance and reputation
If you want to learn more about how Google My Business and online reputation management can boost your business, contact JEG DESIGN INC today here for a free consultation and let us help you grow your business online.