An online presence in this day and age is an essential. One of our favourite ways to build trust through an audience is with a Google My Business listing. It is also an easy way for people to search you locally and via Maps.
Google My Business
Having a Google My Business account set up will help with search traffic. When a potential customer searches for a keyword related to your business and a location, if your account has been set up correctly, it should show. This means that then they can make a decision around which business is best for them in the area. It will help people find you locally, and also view your customer reviews which help build trust.
It’s easy to set up a Google My business account, you can do it in a few steps:
- Search for Google My Business
- Create a business profile with all of your details
- Verify your business – you will need to have a physical address and Google will send you out a verification number for you to input. It can take up to two months to receive this.
- Once your listing has been verified you can finalise any extra information and input your business hours
- Then start getting customer reviews! The best way to do this is after a customer has shopped with you, email them and ask them what they thought. They can click your individual link and leave a review which will add to your businesses account
What happens if I get a negative review?
Don’t sweat it! It’s ok to have mostly positive and a couple of negative reviews, as it’s out of your control and nobody is perfect. The best way to deal with it is to respond in a kind manner and bring the conversation offline. Always apologize and don’t fight back, explain your expectations of company standard and leave a call to action to take it offline.
Try saying something like “Hi (name), I am so sorry to hear about your experience, and it is not the type of experience we intend for our customers to have. Could you please email us at xxx to further resolve this? Thank you!”
Have you used Google My Business in the past to find a service or business near you? We’d love to know more about your experience with this platform. Leave a comment below
