Google Maps offers a plethora of benefits that go beyond just providing directions. It isn’t like your ordinary map. When you’re a business owner, it can work as a digital directory where you can store pertinent information about your company. You may even include photos, a virtual tour, and a street view. But, these features are only just the beginning. The more that you learn to use Google Maps to your advantage, the more features you’ll discover, bringing you to a lot more benefits.
Note that today, before people go to a restaurant or any place where they could buy products or avail services, they search for it on Google first. Millions of searches have to do with establishments that are within the searcher’s vicinity. All thanks to technology, attracting customers now is more effortless than it used to be, just like marketing your business on Google Maps.
With that being said, here are some compelling reasons why Google Maps could work to your advantage as a business owner:
- It’s Free
Of the many digital marketing media you can take advantage of, the ones that should top the list are those that you can use for free. This means one less marketing expense.
Google Maps, despite its being free, is one of the most effective ways to improve your rankings online. Remember that when you’re fighting for attention in the virtual world, merely having a listing isn’t enough. You’ll have to go deeper with the information that you’re putting out. The business information that you present needs to be 100% complete. With Google Maps, you’re able to achieve this.
- It Builds Trust With Your Customers
In the digital world, it’s vital for businesses to go beyond just telling. When people are browsing from their phones and other handheld gadgets, they’re very visual-driven. Before they set foot on a restaurant, for instance, they first want to know what it looks like to determine whether or not it’s what they’re really looking for at the moment.
With Google Maps, you’re able to gain more customers because, early on, you’re building a strong level of trust with these people. Whatever they may have read about your business online, they can verify through the images they can see on Google Maps. That way, customers would feel so much more confident about their decision to visit your store instead of the other ones.
One of the ways Google Maps satisfies the the visual needs of customers is through its 3D virtual tour feature. As its name suggests, this specific functionality gives your potential customers a chance to have a tour of your business from behind their screens. The 3D virtual tour enables them to see your business even before they set foot in it. Taking it a step further, the Street Maps makes it easier for Internet users to check if you’re a legitimate business. Additionally, it also helps them create markers so they could easily locate your establishment.
The more trust you’re able to build with your customers, the higher the chances of them entering your store premises.
- Enables Better Search Visibility
Yes, many individuals today are reliant on services such as Waze. But, Google Maps still has an edge over it as the former enables better search visibility. When your information is listed on Google Maps, it can also lead your potential customers to other pertinent information, such as contact details, after clicking on your establishment. Additionally, it can also give options as to other branches (if you have these) surrounding the area.
That way, you’re enhancing your search visibility. Customers will not have any second guesses as to where exactly you are because they’re provided with precise directions on how to find your establishment. When you’re this conveniently visible to your clients, you’re also enhancing your marketability. Chances are, many more customers are going to choose you over those they’re having a hard time locating.
- Eases The Research Process
Internet users want answers in a snap, especially when looking for pertinent information about an establishment on search engines Additionally, they don’t want the whole process to be complicated. Else, they end up getting annoyed, forcing them to favor other establishments instead.
With Google Maps, you’re able to help ease out the research process for customers. Upon clicking on your establishment, they will be instantaneously presented with details, such as the following:
- Overall business atmosphere
- What your storefront looks like
- Store’s friendliness and personality
When you offer this level of ease to your customers, you’re also showing them that you care about them.
- Displays Useful Information About Your Business
Google Maps displays useful information about your business. Not only do they do it at a localized level; they’re also exposing you to a global market. Thus, people from all over the world will have the chance to see and get to know your business, which is a very effective marketing strategy.
Useful information that Internet users can learn about your business include:
- Description of your business – what products or services you’re offering
- Hours of operation – potential customers will no longer experience that feeling of disappointment after arriving at your store only to find out that it has already closed
- Call now button – this makes it easier for mobile users to call your establishment quickly without the need to input a phone number
- Busy periods – this offers convenience for your customers, especially during times when they’re in a rush
- Photos of how your business looks like – the pictures will help potential customers decide whether or not your establishment’s ambiance is what they’re after
- Directions – for easy, hassle-free location of your establishment
- Creates A Stronger Connection With Customers
Through Google Maps, potential customers can let down their guard. They don’t have to worry about your business being a scam.
For example, Marc is planning to purchase a new gaming keyboard from your online store. Browsing through your site, Marc sees that you also claim to have a brick-and-mortar establishment. Because he’s a prudent shopper, he goes to Google Maps to check if your address is legitimate. He finds out it is. Because of that, he finally lets down his guard and ends up purchasing a gaming keyboard from your store, as well as a gaming mouse and a pair of gaming headphones.
Through as simple a medium as Google Maps, you can already build a stronger connection with your customers. They don’t have to doubt whether or not you’re a legitimate business. This also helps create a higher level of trust with your customers. Through that, you’re able to maintain a strong base of loyal clients.
- Adds Another Communication Channel
When you’ve already got your Google Maps listing up and running, that’s an additional advertising channel that you can manage with minimal efforts. Should there be any updates that you wish to include, it should be effortless for you to implement changes on your Google Maps page. You can even do the task while you’re on a break or on your mobile phone. It’s one that you don’t need for a technical team to maintain and spend for.
With the fierce competition over the Internet, whatever added communication channel you can give your business is an excellent way for you to improve your rankings. It increases the chances of your business being found as you’re not only limiting your business to having just a website or a social media page.
- Increases Access To Your Target Audience
Google Maps is also a very efficient way for businesses to reach their target audience. Customers today search for information online first and foremost before finally making a choice of what products to buy or services to avail. Apart from just reading, they want to see and view things as well. Had you not been present on Google Maps, you may have already lost a potential customer.
Google Maps enables you to have access to your target audience in the following ways:
- Makes your business listing appear immediately, complete with directions and contact details, once a user keys in a search with keywords related to your business
- Google Maps’s results usually appear higher in rankings than other results
Conclusion
All thanks to technology, the whole business industry has changed for the better. While this may be a good thing, the negative thing, however, is that competition is also getting stiffer. As a business owner, you should know that it’s your job to put your business in a highly competitive position. And, this is completely achievable through Google Maps. Because it’s a free tool, it’s one for you to take advantage of. Doing so promises so many benefits for your business, and those mentioned above are only a few.
Once you get the hang of it you’ll realize that signing up for Google Maps was one of the best marketing decisions you’ve ever made for your business. It helps you reach more customers, have a more targeted audience, build trust, and, most of all, generate more customers walking through your door. The end result? More profits.