Google My Business: What Every Real Estate Pro Needs to Know

You may know you're open for business, but have you told your clients and prospects? Google My Business offers a simple way to boost the online visibility of your business. Read on to learn about the benefits of Google My Business and how to get started using it.

What is Google My Business?

A 2014 study by Conductor showed that 64 percent of website visitors came from organic search. This means potenial clients searching for your business in Google should be able to find it quickly and easily. That's where Google My Business comes in handy. Never again will your clients and prospects have to hunt for your business URL among random search results. They can simply search for your business through Google search or Google Maps. There, they will find a consolidated listing of information relevant to your business.

This includes the essentials like your business name, address, phone number, hours and directions. But it also includes extras like your rating among customer reviewers.

What are the Benefits of Google My Business?

The top-ranking Google listing receives one-third of all clicks, according to Business 2 Community. The second, third, and fourth ranking listings tend to get another 63 percent of clicks. More clicks lead to more interaction with your business. This is why it can benefit your bottom line to boost your online presence through Google My Business.

Ever found a business online only to later find it has closed for a holiday or moved? Google My Business prevents this by giving you greater control over your business information. If your business location, service hours or even business name changes, simply update it. When your customers search for your business, they will see the change.

Stand out from the competition even more with the photo upload feature of Google My Business. Photos can provide a vital visual aid of what your business has to offer.

Want to give your customers an insider look at your business? Create a 360-degree virtual tour to show customers what to expect when they get to your business.

Customers who appreciate your services can positively review you in Google My Business. You, as the business owner, can even reply back to continue the conversation. This two-way dialogue makes customers feel more valued and engaged.

How to Setup Google My Business

Getting started with Google My Business is as simple as finding your business on Google Maps. Or, add your business information for free.

You will be asked to verify your identity by phone or mail. After verification, you can double-check your information to ensure your listing is accurate.

Verified businesses can make use of Google My Business' powerful business insights dashboard. The dashboard lets you track reviews and determine how your customers found you. You can also see how many clicks and calls your customers made through your Google My Business listing. These insights can help you fine-tune your marketing strategy to better reach and serve customers.

To view the original article, visit the MileIQ blog.