How to Create a google business profile for your salon or clinic
You may be asking what is a Google Business Profile and what are the benefits of creating one for my business?
Well, Google Business Profile is the new term for a Google listing, which is perhaps more familiar to you. Essentially, a Google Business Profile links your business to your location geographically, allowing your business to appear when someone searches your service based upon a particular location, e.g. ‘top laser clinics in Cork’. However, only three listings will appear in the map results at the top of the page, so edging in here will be key in gaining the upper hand on your competitors!
If your salon or clinic is searched by name, a Google Business Profile will appear on the right-hand side on a desktop or at the top of the search results on a mobile phone. All of the features of a business profile, including location, images, contact information, opening hours etc, will all be displayed here, making any information on your salon or clinic easily accessible. Therefore, having a profile is crucial in attracting clients through your online presence and ensuring those bookings!
How do I appear on this top three listing?
Only those with a Google Business Profile will appear here, and while your salon or clinic can still be listed below this in the organic search results, few people will scroll down too far, focusing instead on a business they can visualize and explore through the Business Profile and its features immediately.
Creating a Google Business Profile is truly quick and easy, just follow these steps outlined below:
1. Setting up - Go to google.com/business and click ‘Sign in’ on the top right-hand corner and proceed to sign in using your business Gmail account details. If you already have a profile, you will be taken straight to it. If not, you will be asked to search your business name and in the absence of a profile, you will then be prompted to create one.
2. Adding Information - Click onto your business name, then ‘Info’, and work your way through each category filling in all necessary information. Be sure to include key aspects of your business, such as opening hours, location, contact information etc.
3. Images and Photos - Adding images to your business profile is crucial in attracting clientele – not only does it make you identifiable to new customers, it is also an opportunity to show your salon or clinic’s personality and aesthetic, creating a good first impression. Be sure to include photographs of the exterior, interior, staff, etc. Your cover photo will be displayed on your Google+ page, so a logo or exterior photograph of the salon or clinic would be ideal here.
4. Reviews – Customer reviews are a crucial part of your Google Business Profile, particularly if you are in a competitive field in your area. The top three listings on the map section will include those with the most reviews. To prompt customers to provide a review, simply go to the ‘Home’ page of your profile where you will see a box titled ‘Get More Reviews’. Click on the ‘Share Review Form’ button which will generate a link that you can email to clients; it will bring them straight to the review page of your listing!
5. Editing and Using Features - Once you have created the profile and are getting the hang of it, you can make use of its many features. For example, if you do a quick Google search of your business name and are logged in through your Gmail, you will see a blue button titled ‘Edit Profile’. This allows you to change any of your basic information, such as opening hours etc, but also clicking on ‘Promote’ will allow you to add special offers, check your stats, and clicking on ‘customers’ will allow you to respond to any reviews, messages or queries.
We hope you found these steps helpful in setting up or perhaps making better use of an existing Google Business Profile to increase your bookings! Adopting these simple and free features into your online marketing strategies will help bolster your business without any extra stress or cost!