I’m terrible at mind reading, but my guess is that you woke up this morning, changed into your work clothes, styled your hair, brushed your teeth and if you’re like me, put in a lot more work to look decent in public.

Why wouldn’t you just go to work in your pajamas?

Because your appearance matters.

How your business is displayed online also matters, and yet, many business owners and managers don’t think too much about it.

Consider these eye-opening statistics:

• When searching for businesses, consumers use mapping products 44% of the time.
• On average, 41% of these place searches result in an on-site visit (source: Ipsos study).

It’s not always their fault. Many don’t know what they don’t know. Others realize they need help but don’t know where to begin.

Let’s start with something simple (and FREE).

People are actively searching for products and services like yours. These potential clients, customers or vendors are sources of free traffic that can become customers, clients and future sources of referrals. Let’s make it easy for them to find you. Creating and optimizing a Google My Business profile will help you do that.

What Is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free tool that enables businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including search results and maps. When you register your business, you can add pictures, location information, add testimonials and provide other helpful information about your business that is easily accessible by someone searching for a local business or organization like yours. By verifying and editing your business information, you can help customers more easily find you and control what they see about your product or service.

Here are two business profiles on Google. The one on the left doesn’t have a Google My Business account. The business on the right does.

[x_image type=”none” float=”none” src=”https://metamediacreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-18-at-12.26.09-PM.png” alt=”Businesses that do not have a Google My Business account will not provide any rich details for customers. This is a missed opportunity.” title=”Non-Optimized google My Business Listing Example” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” lightbox_thumb=”https://metamediacreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-18-at-12.26.09-PM.png”][x_image type=”none” float=”none” src=”https://metamediacreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-18-at-12.45.02-PM-1.png” alt=”iphone with metamedia ad in facebook timeline” href=”https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x80857e5d3575a5a1:0xcee8d589c424ef4d!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4s/maps/place/Summer%2BSummer%2BThai%2BEatery/@37.8411215,-122.2898922,3a,75y,199.53h,90t/data%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211s92oP1ZIlxjCk-KS-CL48WQ*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x0:0xcee8d589c424ef4d!5sSummer+Summer+Thai+Eatery+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e2!2s92oP1ZIlxjCk-KS-CL48WQ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkgIiUs_7QAhVJ9GMKHfBMBqMQoB8IfTAK” title=”Click to see 360-virtual tour” target=”blank” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” lightbox_thumb=”https://metamediacreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Screen-Shot-2016-12-18-at-12.45.02-PM-1.png”]

What Are The Google My Business Benefits?

In addition to building your profile and controlling your message, here are some additional benefits of having a verified Google business listing:

1. Your business appears front and center.
   Google My Business gives you an organic advantage when local people are searching for your products or services online.
2. You’re easily found.
   Your organization’s hours, contact information, photos, website URL, testimonials and more are displayed front and center. Everything is just one click away.
3. 360-degree photos literally bring customers in your door.
   You can upload interactive, 360-degree photos of your business so that searchers can “walk in your door” and look around your establishment on their computer or phone.
4. You customers can share their positive experiences
   Ratings and testimonials are everything right now. Consider how confident you are about a product when you see it has 50 4.5- to 5-star reviews on Amazon. Your GMB profile contains the same feature for your business or organization.
5. Free, organic traffic.
   The best benefit of having a Google My Business profile is that you’ll get free web traffic. After you’ve optimized your profile with photos, business info, your social media platforms, etc., you’ll have a permanent, dynamic search listing on Google.

Your customers are online right now, searching for your products and services. Sign up for your free GMB profile now.