Get to the top of Google without spending a fortune

Google Business Profile and Google My Business are different names for the same thing. 

When somebody does a local search, i.e. ‘plant hire company Liverpool’, three companies appear near the top of Google on a map. Details of their business also appear to the right-hand side. This is Google Business Profile. 

Designed to make it very convenient for people to find and contact local businesses, potential customers will see:

• information about your business
• the name of your business
• your telephone number
• your e-mail address
• your website
• images relevant to you
• reviews
• etc.

Top Tip - If you have a Google Business Listing, ensure your details correct.

Typically, when people are searching on Google for a local company, they don't want to spend ages searching. Google Business Profile listings are designed to make it very convenient for people to find and contact a company that can give them what they need. They can see the location, contact details, and the website. If you are on the front page of Google Business Profile, it will generate enquiries and get you more work.

Most business leaders would like people to find them rather than their competitors when searching on Google. Google Business Profile does have other benefits;

• It enables you to showcase your work
• You can have your contact details to make it easier for people to contact you
• People like to work with local companies
• People see reviews
• It makes it easy for people to go on your website
• Etc.

When people search on Google, they very rarely move from the homepage. The easier it is for them to find the information they are looking for the less likely they are to keep searching. That is why it is so important to be on the first page on Google Business Profile, organic searches or Google Ads. Most people aren’t even aware that there are more than three or four Google Business listings.

When people do a local search, Google is looking for the most relevant organisations with the most credibility and authority. 

Top Tip - There are a couple of stages to getting into one of the top three or four positions:

1. Ensure that your Google Business Profile listing is setup and optimised correctly
2. Make sure you have the right information about your business that will help people make an informed decision
3. Have an ongoing strategy in place to develop your profile
4. Ensure that you respond to reviews (good or bad)

Most people can set up a Google Business Profile. It does have to be set up correctly to ensure that it is as effective as possible. There are too many things that you need to consider for us to explain them all in this article. However, one thing we highly recommend;

Top Tip – When you fill out your profile, make sure that content and information about your business is consistent with all other social media profiles, local listings, and business directories

When Google ranks your business profile against other businesses it is looking at credibility and authority. This is determined by what is on your Google Business Profile, and what other people think of it. By adding the right information, and having people interact with your profile, this helps in getting you to those top three or four positions. Getting Google reviews also goes towards improving your position. 

Top Tip- Make sure you respond to any reviews, especially the bad ones. If you have 20 great reviews and one bad one, you can be sure that that is the review people will read first.

There are not really any disadvantages in having a Google Business Profile. In fact, many people will be surprised if you don't have one, so it can't hurt setting one up.

However, simply setting up a Google Business Profile for your business does not mean that you will attract new customers who are searching for your type of business in your location. Your profile has to be set up correctly, have the right content, and then be managed to ensure you appear above your competitors. It is only then that you will achieve one of those three or four coveted places on page one of Google.

Currently Google don't charge for setting up or maintaining a business profile, so if you have the time, you can set it up and manage it free of charge. 

If you want to get professional help, to make sure that it is set up correctly and optimised, then you will have to pay. If you engage someone to create and manage your Google Business Profile, you should be careful. Paying someone does not necessarily mean you will get success. It does not need a great deal of knowledge or experience to do the basics. To get to one of the top three or four positions, especially if you work in a competitive sector, can require far more knowledge and experience.

Even if you decide to work with a top marketing agency, it should still only cost between £500 - £800 to optimise your Google Business Profile, populate it, and give you a strategy to manage your profile to get you on the front page.