The customer journey is a really important aspect of online marketing, but sadly many B2B companies forget this in their rush to have a virtual presence. Thankfully, there is a super easy and free tool to help you get in front of potential clients in an easy and convenient way: Google My Business (GMB).
GMB is more than just a quick spot to list contact details online. There is a place for customer reviews, photos, post status updates, and more. Here are four ways B2B companies should be using Google My Business (GMB).
#1: Ask Customers for Reviews
Even though your business involves selling directly to another company, you should still ask customers for reviews. The firms who buy from you are likely run by managers, owners, and supervisors who still look on the internet to see what others are saying about doing business with you. Make sure you’re asking those long-standing or extremely happy clients to share their experiences with a Google Review.
#2: Posting Events and Trade Show Appearances
Another lesser-known feature of GMB is the ability to post special events and trade show appearances. This is a great way to enjoy free advertising and give potential leads who might be looking you up notice as to where you’ll be in the near future. The posts only stay until the event happens, so you don’t even have to worry about removing them later as they’ll do that on their own.
Keeping your Google My Business profile updated with new photos is a great way to maintain interest and engagement. Regularly upload images of your products, team, or any recent events. This strategy not only refreshes your profile but also visually showcases what your business has to offer, potentially attracting new clients.
#3: See More Robust Analytics
While you probably hire a great digital marketing firm like ours to watch analytics for you, one of the best aspects of GMB is the increased data capabilities. Your profile links directly with GMB to allow you to analyze who called your phone number straight from the profile listing, the amount of traffic your website received from your profile, and other data like views, searches, and actions taken. This provides great insight into what is catching people’s attention and what you can do more of to increase your chances of them getting in touch.
#4: Provide General Business Information
One of the best aspects of GMB is that it gives you the opportunity to fully provide all of your business information in a quick and easy to access way. For example, if a potential lead you met at a networking event suddenly wants to get in contact with you, all they have to do is type your company name and sometimes city into Google. The information you added to GMB will come up at the top of the page to give them a streamlined method of contact for your firm.
A well-crafted business description goes a long way in attracting potential clients. Make sure your description incorporates relevant keywords, which helps your business appear in specific search queries. This not only boosts visibility but also gives a clear picture of the services or products you offer. Highlight unique selling points to stand out among competitors.
Leverage Google Q&A
Google My Business offers a Q&A section where businesses can engage directly with customers by answering their questions. By actively participating, you can build trust and provide valuable insights that potential clients might be looking for. This interaction enhances customer satisfaction and shows that your company is attentive and responsive to client needs.
Conclusion
In short, GMB can be a very powerful tool for promoting your B2B company by providing a clear overview of who you are and what you do. Since it is free, it is a good idea to go ahead and claim your profile even if you don’t make it part of your regular digital marketing plan. For more information on how to set up your Google My Business profile, please contact us today.
