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How to Utilise your Google Business Entry
How to Utilise your Google Business Entry
How your Google Business profile (formerly Google Local entry) is ranked in a search is not all about distance. Google algorithms may decide that a business further away is more likely to have what the searcher is looking for and therefore rank it higher. Google will also consider the relevance of your listing to the search and how prominent your Google Listing is.
With this in mind it is therefore important that you:
Enter Complete Data
Google will look at how well your listing matches what someone is searching for therefore completing all the elements of your profile will help match your listing to relevant searches.
Improve your Prominence
Google looks at how well known a business when deciding how to rank it in relevant searches, therefore well know shops and brands will appear higher in the ranking, but Google will also looks at the prominence of a business across the web such as articles, directories and links. You can improve your online prominence by writing a blog and linking articles to other sites, and by writing guest blogs for other websites linking back to your own. You can also make sure you are added to any relevant listing and directory sites.
Manage your Reviews
Google also considers your reviews and positive ratings when deciding on your prominence, so make sure you ask your customers add a review to your Google Business profile and respond to any reviews. You may want to read our article on how to deal with negative reviews.
Ensure you have Verified your location
Google will send a postcard with a verification code to the address added for your business & once that card arrives you can add the code to your entry. Verifying your business will ensure that your entry shows up on Google Searches and Google Maps. It is simple to change the address at anytime if you move location.
Add accurate hours
Make sure you have entered your opening hours. This will make your entry complete and therefore be seen in a favourable light by Google. It will also let your customers know exactly when you are available.
Add Appealing Photos
Good images are going to add colour and story to your Google Business profile. They will entice a customer to look further and help your Google entry rank higher.
Posting to Google Business
Posting through to your Google Business profile lets you publish your events, products and services directly to Google Search and Maps. Posts can place your timely content in front of customers when they find your business listing on Google.
If you need help with your Google Business profile contact mel@reddesk.co.uk for further support.
You may also wish to read the following related articles:
Make sure Personal Recommendations are part of your Marketing Plan
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Three Ways to Collect Data
Three Ways to Collect Data
If you need to collect data or obtain feedback then what are your go-to tools? At Red Desk we have experience of Google Forms, Form Assembly and Smart Survey, so let’s take a look at each of these in turn.
Google Forms
As most people have a Google account, this is perhaps the most accessible way to collect data. Head to forms.google.com and you will be presented will various templates including event feedback, order form, job application and time off request. If you click the template gallery link then you will be given more options which are split into work, personal and education. Once you’ve decided on your template you can add a description, a header, change the theme and lots more. As with other G-Suite applications, your changes get automatically saved along the way. There are lots of tips and help on the Support section of Google, like here. Or for a more comprehensive, independent guide, we like Zapier.com’s blog How to Use Google Forms.
FormAssembly
If you are using SalesForce (or WordPress, Stripe, Paypal and others) then FormAssembly is a nifty integration to use. Customised web forms are easy to create using their drag-and-drop web form builder. There’s a SalesForce Import Tool which allows you to create forms based on your fields in SalesForce. If you are using it for another purpose then you can use one of their preset themes. The website has lots of helpful tips including Form Building 101. There is however, a cost attached to using FormAssembly ranging from $89 to $224 per user, per month. If you are curious, you can sign up to their 14-day free trial.
Smart Survey
We’ve been using Smart Survey to carry out quick polls on availability and also to gather feedback on workshops for an educational charity that we support. On the free plan, you can send up to 15 surveys and receive up to 100 responses per month. There are so many templates to choose from so it is worth taking a look at what works best for you. Once you have a template that you are happy with, you can use this time and again by copying over the survey and over-writing the new questions. Once set up, the survey has a unique URL which can be inserted into emails. As with most apps and tools, the more you pay, the more features you can unlock including response notifications every time someone fills in your survey.
If you are interested in collecting data or gathering feedback then Red Desk can help, please do get in touch with mel@reddesk.co.uk for a quote.
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