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Google Business Profiles for Schools
Google Business Profiles for Schools
Following on from our Social Media for schools blog post recently we thought we’d look in a little more detail at Google Business profile (formerly Google Local Entries). We were surprised at the number of schools who attended the training that had not actually claimed their Google Business profile.
Anyone searching your school will more than likely see your Google Business profile before anything else. They may not even go to your website but simply look at your google search return (what comes up when you search your school). Your Google Business profile contains important basic information such as your location & contact number but it also shows any reviews that have been submitted plus you can now post to your entry allowing you to add some valuable content about your school.
How to Claim Your Google Listing
If you search for your school in Google, your website should come up in the main body of the screen and then on the right hand side, your Google Business Listing should be visible:
If you can’t see it or you don’t have access just yet then you will need to claim your entry by going to Google Business. You can create an account with any email but best practice would be to use generic email created to manage your school’s social media rather than an individual account.
Once your account is created type in your school name and check that the rest of the address is correct.
Verify and then confirm your school. You will be sent a post card with a verification code that will need to be entered online.
If your entry has been claimed before, Google will show you a snippet of the email address that owns your entry, you many recognize the email or it may be an old or defunct email from a past employee. If this is the case you can request access either as an owner or as a manager.
How to Improve Your Google Business profile
Are the pictures of your location attractive? Sometimes the Google image of the exterior of your school isn’t the most attractive. You can upload your own images, or try to move the Google pin to show off your school from a more attractive angle rather than showing the back alley way or your bins!
Do you have any reviews? Encourage supportive parents to give reviews. Do take note that you may end up with a random score like 4.8 (even if all your reviews are 5 star) due to their algorithm. Your Google Business profile will gather the ratings from other websites such as Facebook and Yelp. Your school should be monitoring your entry for reviews as part of your online reputation management.
Summary
- Google Business is the dashboard by which you manage your Google Business profile and Google Posts, Insights and Google AdWords.
- Google Business gives a location of your business on Google Maps plus a brief overview of your business
- Google Business Post is a snippet of information that you can post to your entry, these posts only last one week but can add some valuable content to your entry.
You may also be interested in our article on How To Manage Negative Reviews.
If you need any help with your Google Local entry do contact us at mel@reddesk.co.uk
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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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