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Do you remember the good old days when you had a phonebook lying beside your landline or under the table?
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Surprisingly, I found mine a few days ago, and I couldn’t help but go back thinking about the days when the phonebook was an essential thing in every household.
Fast forward to today, smartphones and tablets have been the most important device on earth to call your local vegetable dealer or search for restaurants near you.
Today you can get quick information at your fingertips with a simple Google Search.
If you think from an owner’s perspective, the internet has been a boon as your customers can quickly access your services if they have your phone numbers and related details mentioned online.
Thus, you need to make sure this information is made available to your customers when searching.
I believe you all are familiar with the term ‘Google My Business (GMB).’
Let me give you a quick recap.
‘Google My Business’ is a simple and easy way to claim your office address or storefront on Google. When someone searches for your business, you’ll show up on the right side of a Google search.
Something like this!
Even when someone searches for a service or product that you offer; your company should look like this in the local pack.
As more and more customers turn to GMB, a well-optimized GMB listing is paramount to get in front of your customers before the competition.
To make your local business discoverable, never undervalue the power of GMB!!!
According to research by BrightLocal, the study explores Google My Business insights and trends for 36 industries across 4 countries.
It states that, on average, businesses are found in 1009 searches per month – i.e., roughly 33 times per day.
This means that there are 33 opportunities every day to leave a positive impression on customers with a Google My Business listing.
These numbers justify the importance of an optimized Google My Business account. Here’s, why you may want to create one:
- Increase online visibility
- Keep your customers informed to provide good experiences
- Earn trust from your potential customers
The interesting thing is that Google has been providing sales-specific features to help you generate leads and sales. I would advise you to leverage these Google-given features and give your Google My Business listing the attention it deserves.
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1. Provide welcome offers
It’s the best way to turn your first-time customers into loyal customers.
Let me tell you this: There are more than half of online customers who are looking for an offer or discount, according to Google.
You’re giving special offers and discounts to increase the visibility of your business. It’s a great alternative to ask people to follow your business since they won’t see what you offer until they follow the business listing.
Never go overboard with outrageous discounts, as it might turn down customers thinking you’re fake.
How do you set up a welcome offer?
- Open your Google My Business app
- Click on your profile
- Tap on ‘Create Welcome Offer’ and hit ‘Create’
Your offer should have all the details, including title, description, coupon code (if necessary), terms and conditions, and a website link. Make sure you preview your message before publishing it.
2. Speak to your customers through messaging
The live chat functionality for businesses is the most indispensable communication medium for today’s customers.
Fortunately, new channels have emerged, and businesses are engaging with customers through a wide range of platforms like web forms, self-service, forums, emails, and social media platforms.
However, the biggest challenge here to serve your customers is response time. Customers expect immediate services and instant responses. To prevent this, companies offer live chat as a communication channel to provide better customer satisfaction.
Today, live chat is the most preferred customer communication channel achieved through real-time conversations online.
This is why 79% of customers mention that the number one reason for using live chat is that their questions get answered immediately. This helps businesses to stay competitive and keep up with customer expectations.
Incorporating this function enables you to connect directly with your target audience and engage with them in real-time while they’re busy browsing your GMB listing.
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How do you get started?
- Get your hands-on messaging by logging into your GMB dashboard and hit on the messaging option.
- Verify your phone number and add a custom welcome message reply, and you’re done!
- If you don’t want to receive messages directly on your phone, download Google’s Allo app and connect your number to your Allo account.
Isn’t it a great way to interact with your customers instantly?
3. Affix a ‘Request A Quote’ button to your business listing
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This button was first spotted by Joy Hawkins, who shared a screenshot on Twitter after Google added a large ‘Request A Quote’ button to eligible business listings in search results.
To be specific, this button is added to the business listing that has opted for the GMB messaging feature. It can help in generating more leads and better traffic.
How do you set up messaging?
- Open your Google My Business app and move to your listing
- Go to the location you’d like to manage
- Click on customers
- Tap messages and turn it on
All the messages received can be viewed and responded to from your GMB app, and users will receive messages on their Google Maps app.
Now, searchers can request quotes from businesses without even browsing the local business website. Local businesses can review these quotes and reply to them on the GMB app and connect with customers easily.
4. Claim your URL and short name for your listing
A short name is a shortened URL created by using SEO keywords to pop up in local searches and leads your customers directly to your business profile.
It’s available in two forms:
1. g.page/shortname
2. @shortname
You need to be fast in doing so before someone takes it. There’s no trial and error since you can only change your short name three times per year.
Enable this by:
- Navigating to your locations page
- Press on ‘Info’ on the left-hand side
- Look for ‘add a short name’
If you think it’s fine to have a longer link, you should imagine how a huge link will look on your business cards, emails, text messages, etc.
Short links help show your landing page as ‘g.page/[businessname]‘ for an easy and convenient sharing process.
You can choose a name between 5-32 characters, containing the business name, location, and other critical details.
Disclaimer: Make sure your name doesn’t violate any policies. People can flag your name for impersonating another business, or for being fake, spammy, or offensive.
This feature has helped make GMB easier for customers who can come back to a profile to read posts or updates, write feedback, or make reservations. Also, short names are easier to find in Google Maps.
5. Make your business visible using posts
Many of you might agree with me on this.
Google posts are like mini-ads or social posts that allow you to promote an event you’re hosting or showing off your product/service, etc.
Creating a compelling Google My Business Post is considered one of the most powerful ways to grab your customer’s attention. Also, Google facilitates you with a variety of posts that you can create to promote your business.
They include:
- An event
- What’s New
- An offer
- A product
These posts enable you to add calls-to-action (CTAs) to help you influence the actions taken by your visitor after viewing your post.
Make sure you add the following calls-to-action for a better marketing experience:
- Buy
- Order online
- Sign Up
- Call Now, etc.
Remember: Google My Business Posts aren’t actually social media posts. Make sure you use the most important words at the beginning of your post as only the first 100 characters are seen. Using hashtags is of no use.
For my business, I create new posts every seven days or so, as it’s a great way to show off my business in a unique way when a visitor is searching for it.
This Christmas, come up with festive posts that your customers will appreciate. Simply, go through the following:
- Log into your Google My Business dashboard
- Look for the ‘Posts’ option on the left side
- Add an eye-catching image
Pro Tip: Try using bold headings and shortcuts to make your posts engaging and attractive.
You can use this feature for different types of content like:
- New products and services
- Special coupons and discounts
- Hosting or participating in upcoming events
- Highlighting special qualities like 24/7 service or free estimates
- Anything that you want your customers to know or see when they get to your maps listing
6. Make the most of Google Assistant
Today, you can even order your food from restaurants and stores using Google Assistant, which is delivered through Slice, Zuppler, ChowNow, etc. Order food by simply commanding your Google Assistant by saying, ‘Okay, Google, order food from (restaurant).’
It allows you to update your menu online, see past orders, delivery service carriers, and apps to get started. Google has also updated another feature wherein it adds a popular dish tab on your menu, featuring menu items and images preferred by other people.
There’s more to expect as you integrate your My Google Business with Google Assistant.
What’s new with Google My Business?
Lately, you can set various attributes on Google My Business to let your customers know what your business has to offer. You can also share things like outdoor seating, wheelchair accessibility, Wi-Fi, or if it’s black-owned (only in the US) or women-led.
Google offers two types of attributes:
- Factual attributes
- Subjective attributes
Factual attributes can be edited directly, while subjective attributes are dependant on Google customers’ opinions who visit your businesses.
Sounds great, right?
Food and retail businesses can add health and safety attributes like:
- Mask required for customers and staff
- Temperature checks
- Appointments or reservations needed
They are likely to appear on Google Search and Google Maps.
Conclusion
I recommend you to check your Google My Business account and utilize the new features and updates to collect better leads and revenue.
Many customers are looking for you and are willing to spend money on your products/services. You need to get future-ready as you’ll see an advanced integration between Google My Business and Google Assistant.
These aren’t my words. Several experts expect this to happen in the future.
According to comScore, 50% of all searches will be voice searches by 2020.
Learn to leverage all of these features as it gives you an advantage over your competitors.
Make sure you try some of these features and share your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then, gracias!
Guest author: Hemal Bhatt works as a Digital Marketing Strategist at e-Intelligence. e-Intelligence provides digital marketing and web development services. They are equipped with the right innovative strategy, technical knowledge, and a professional team to help achieve business goals.
On the hunt for a Google+ (also called Google Plus and G+) alternative? It may be easier than you think!
Since the social media platform closed its doors in 2019, consumers have been looking for another option to match the features, traffic, and SEO benefits.
Luckily, there are several replacements you can use.
Here are the best Google Plus alternatives and how you can use them to grow your business online.
What Was Google Plus and Why Did It Shut Down?
Google Plus was Google’s fourth attempt at building a social media network. Its predecessors included Google Buzz, Google Friend Connect, and Orkut.
While Google Plus had success initially, with 395 million active accounts in 2016 and Facebook seeing the network as a threat, it soon fizzled out.
Why?
For years, you had to have a Google Plus account to use features like Google Photos, Hangouts, and YouTube. So, most consumers created Google Plus accounts to use these other apps—not the social media platform.
Then a data breach happened. Google discovered a glitch that allowed third-party apps to access the private information of 500,000 Google Plus users.
So, when Google announced its decision to start phasing out Google Plus due to low usage in 2018, it made sense.
5 Social Media Platforms That Replace Google Plus for Local Businesses
There is no one-size-fits-all replacement for Google Plus.
Depending on your business and where your key audience hangs out, you might choose to use one or all of the platforms listed below, which may help you recover some Google Plus features.
Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a snippet of information about your business’ operating information, reviews, and so much more. Getting on GMBcan help you appear as a business profile and on Google Maps, both on desktop and mobile, when users search for brands like yours.
Business Profiles on Google Search look like this:
Business Profiles on Google Maps look like this:
Business Profiles on mobile searches look like this:
While all this information is likely on your website, GMB helps you index the content and share it with a broader audience.
The result? A potential boost in search result rankings, revenue, and valuable insights about your customers.
Why Google My Business Is a Good Replacement for Google Plus
Google My Business is more than an online local business directory. It comes with “social” features, making it a suitable replacement for Google Plus.
People can tap the “+ Follow” button under your listing on their mobile devices and receive updates from your business. You can use the feature to send out a special “Welcome Offer” when someone opts in to help incentivize people to shop at your store.
Lastly, Google My Business comes with interactive features like reviews and a Q&A section. With 91% of younger customers using online reviews to make purchasing decisions, engaging and monitoring brand sentiment can help you build a stronger “know, like, and trust factor” with your audience.
How to Use Google My Business:
- Highlight all the information about your business, such as opening hours, your website, products, menus, location, and other essential details.
- Use the GMB dashboard to see which search queries people are using to find your business, a breakdown of actions (calls, clicks, bookings), and how your profile performs compared to others in your category.
- Boost your local SEO by optimizing your GMB profile with keywords to help you rank higher in local search results.
Facebook for Local Business
Facebook is the largest social media network in the world. On average, 1.82 billion people log into the site every day, and it boasts a whopping 2.7 billion monthly active users.
While the platform started to keep in contact with friends and family, it’s morphed into a powerful and lucrative business tool.
Why Facebook Is a Good Replacement for Google Plus
Building an online community that loves your brand is one of the keys to success.
The only problem?
Starting from scratch is a challenge, and it was a problem the Google Plus community solved well.
Fortunately, you can replace it with two Facebook options: Groups and Business Pages.
Over 1.4 billion people use Facebook Groups every month, and the feature comes with a ton of tools to help you provide value to your audience and encourage engagement.
With Facebook Business Pages, you can replace your Google Plus page and get features like reviews, instant messaging and automated replies, special offers, and analytics.
Plus, if you have the budget, you can access these 2 billion people via targeted Facebook Ads.
How to Use Facebook:
- Create a Facebook Group to build a strong community and help people connect.
- Share exclusive offers on your Facebook Page.
- Share important business information like location, contact details, website, and menus.
- Create and promote events.
- Provide instant customer support.
- Direct traffic back to your website.
- Use reviews to build your brand credibility.
- Get feedback directly from your audience.
LinkedIn for Local Businesses
For professionals, LinkedIn may be one of the best alternatives to Google Plus. With 700 million active users, the networking site has expanded into one of the top social media sites.
By now, many of us have created a LinkedIn personal profile to keep up with colleagues, apply for jobs, and promote our brands.
When used correctly, LinkedIn can take things a step further and help you generate leads and establish yourself as an industry thought leader.
Why LinkedIn Is a Good Replacement for Google+
One of the best features on Google Plus was circles.
You could create different ones and then add people to them. It was a way to segment your updates and keep your professional and business lives separate.
LinkedIn helps you keep this balance. You can connect with co-workers, ask for introductions to potential clients, and share content to boost your business or personal brand.
How to Use LinkedIn:
- SEO optimize your profile with keywords potential clients could use to find you.
- Join industry or niche LinkedIn groups to connect with like-minded people and establish your brand.
- Share regular updates and opinions related to your business or industry.
- Ask your 1st-degree connections for introductions to 2nd or 3rd-degree connections who fit your ideal consumer profile.
- Publish articles on LinkedIn Pulse with actionable content for your dream clients.
Pinterest for Local Businesses
Do you own a visually appealing e-commerce brand?
Then it’s time to tap into the power of Pinterest.
With over 335 million monthly users, 2 billion searches a month, and a shopping intent of 48%, it could be a lucrative way to showcase your brand to an engaged audience who is ready to spend.
Why Pinterest Is a Good Replacement to Google Plus
While Google Plus was good for sharing updates and creating a community, it didn’t have a way for you to boost sales.
Pinterest, on the other hand, has exploded its e-commerce capabilities.
First rolling out buyable pins and then promoted pins, the platform encourages users to take action on their feeds’ inspirational content.
However, before you head on over to Pinterest, know the site is not for everyone.
Pinterest’s audience skews female and younger, and lifestyle brands generally see the most success.
As the site is a visual search engine, your brand needs that element to succeed. If your brand doesn’t appeal to the platform’s niche interests and demographics, it might not be the best Google Plus replacement for you.
How to Use Pinterest:
- SEO optimizes your profile, boards, and pins to boost your brand’s visibility in search results.
- Create visually appealing pins to get users to click-through.
- Activate Rich Pins and make your pins shoppable to increase conversions.
- Use a Pinterest scheduler tool like Tailwind to pin at the best times for engagement.
- Invest in Pinterest ads to reach your ideal customer.
Instagram for Local Businesses
Instagram is one of the best social media platforms for relationship building and showing your customers the humanity behind your brand.
As the second most logged-in social media site with over one billion monthly active users, there’s a good chance your customers are hanging out on the app.
This is especially true if you want to target Millennials and Gen Z. 13-17-year-olds are the largest demographic on the app, followed by 18-20-year-olds and 30-49-year-olds.
Why Instagram Is a Good Replacement for Google Plus
Google Plus could upload photos, multi-person instant messaging, text and video calls, and location tagging. Instagram has all that and then some.
While savvy coaches and entrepreneurs use the app to sell in the DMs, Instagram has released more shoppable features and ads since being acquired by Facebook.
You can tag products in photos and Stories, and Instagram is also testing out shoppable features on Reels and Instagram (IG) Live.
For e-commerce brands, it’s a potential gold mine.
How to Use Instagram:
- Create a content calendar for your feed posts, IG Lives, IGTV, and Reels.
- Show up daily on Stories to stay at the top of your followers’ feeds.
- Do your hashtag research and figure out which terms your ideal customer is using.
- Run targeted ads to boost your exposure and sales.
- Collaborate with other brands and creators in your niche.
- Use your bio blurb to entice people to click on the link in your bio.
- Use storytelling techniques in your captions to touch on pain points and bring in sales.
- Learn how to take better photos or hire a photographer.
- Create highly shareable pieces of content.
How These Alternatives to Google Plus Can Help Your Local Business
Still not convinced these social media platforms can benefit your business?
Here are some of the ways these Google Plus alternatives can help grow your audience and boost sales:
Create Brand Awareness and Recognition
Using one or more social media networks to replace Google Plus will help you spread the word about your business.
The more you show up online, the more you expose people to your brand, and the more people will remember who you are and buy your products or services.
Increase Your Local Business Traffic
Content marketing is king. It’s a free way for you to get in front of your ideal customer, solve a problem, and get them onto your website.
Using your social media platforms to promote your latest blog post or YouTube video may increase the number of eyeballs on your products or services and lead to more sales.
Use Data to Improve Your Marketing
With platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest offering in-depth analytic reports, you can deep dive into what is resonating with your audience.
You can also use features like polls to survey your followers and find out what products or services you should release next.
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Provide Exceptional Customer Service
People expect businesses to handle their customer service questions and complaints through social media quickly.
Using apps like Facebook, you can solve complaints ASAP, avoid sales from falling through the cracks, and build meaningful relationships with your customers.
Conclusion
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As you can see, there is no duplicate for Google Plus. Each of the networks we have looked at is similar but doesn’t offer the same features.
However, they are all excellent for building a community around your brand, exposing your business to new audiences, and promoting your products and services.
When it comes to finding a suitable Google Plus alternative, what features are most important to you?