Ask any entrepreneur how they want to be found online, and you'll often hear, “Through Google of course.” But what many forget is that there is one tool that gives your visibility a gigantic boost: Google My Business.
With a well-optimised business profile, you appear not only in search results, but also on Google Maps and in local search results. This means that customers literally searching near your business will see you first. And that is worth its weight in gold.
Yet many Flemish SMEs are missing opportunities here. Profiles are often incomplete, outdated or totally unoptimised. While a well-filled profile with photos, opening hours, posts and reviews often generates more customers than expensive ads.
The secret? Consistency. Make sure your details are always up to date. Add new photos or news items regularly. Encourage satisfied customers to write a review. And use the messaging function to share promotions or news. Also be sure to link your social media accounts to your GMB profile.
Google My Business is perhaps the fastest and cheapest marketing strategy that you can deploy today. Because if you want to be visible locally, you need to make sure Google knows you exist. And the easier customers find you online, the faster they will also be with you physically or digitally.