How to Advertise Your Business For Free on Google
Advertising your business on Google doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, with the right strategies, you can enhance your online presence without spending a dime. One of the most effective tools at your disposal is Google My Business (GMB). Let's explore how Google Search ranks information, how GMB can boost your local search engine marketing (SEM), and how to set up your free GMB account optimally.
Understanding Google Search Rankings
Google's ranking systems are designed to sort through hundreds of billions of web pages and other content to present the most relevant, useful results in a fraction of a second. These systems consider various factors, including the words of your query, the relevance and usability of pages, the expertise of sources, and your location and settings. The weight applied to each factor varies depending on the nature of your query.
Boosting Local SEM with Google My Business
Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your Business Profile and business website on Google Search and Maps. With your GMB account, you can see and connect with your customers, post updates to your Business Profile, and see how customers are interacting with your business on Google. This is especially beneficial for local SEM, as it helps your business appear in local search results, making it easier for potential customers in your area to find you.
Setting Up Your Google My Business Account
Ready to get started? Follow these steps to set up your GMB account:
Sign In or Create a Google Account: On your computer, sign in to your Google Account, or create one. If you create a new Google Account, sign up with your business email domain.
Create Your Business Profile:
Go to the Google Business Profile creation page.
Enter the name of your business. You may also be able to select your business from the list of suggested businesses as you type.
Search for your business category.
Provide Your Business Location:
Choose whether you have a location customers can visit.
For businesses with a storefront: Enter your business address or position a marker on a map for the location of your business.
For businesses without a storefront: Enter the service area of your business. You can set your service area based on the cities, postal codes, or other areas that you serve.
Enter Contact Information: Provide a phone number and website URL.
Finish and Verify:
Click "Finish."
Select a verification option. Verification methods may include phone, text, email, or video, and can take up to seven business days.
For detailed instructions, refer to Google's official guide on signing up for a Business Profile.
Best Practices for Service-Based Businesses
If your business doesn't have a storefront where you receive customers, you must hide your business address. During the initial setup, select that you’re a service area business. If your service business is already verified and displays its address, you must remove or “hide” your business address. After it’s hidden, your Business Profile only shows your service area. For more information, see Google's guide on managing your service area.
Engaging with Customers
Once your GMB account is set up and verified, you can engage with customers by posting updates, responding to reviews, and answering questions. Regular engagement can help build trust and encourage more customers to choose your business.
By leveraging Google My Business, you can enhance your online presence and attract more local customers—all for free. It's a cost-effective way to advertise your business on Google and improve your local SEM efforts.
