If you aren’t already familiar with Google My Business, it’s a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Google Maps. Google currently has three features for this platform that are ideal for service companies to take advantage of! GMB is free and simple to get started with. If you’d like to learn a little more about GMB before proceeding to the new features, please click here. Check out what new features are and why they are so beneficial for your HVAC business below!
Google My Business is free and easy to use, what more could you ask for?! Features are constantly being added, improved, and optimized, making listing your business seamless and effective.
So, business owners, here are 3 of the new features you should be using:
Feature #1: Questions & Answers (Q&A)
This allows customers to ask you questions directly within the listing, whether they have a specific inquiry, a one-word comment, or an obvious question like “What are your hours”. Utilizing the Q&A feature will show users that you care about their questions and are willing to help at any time. Answering them as they come in will help keep you relevant because users will see that you are active online and know that the information is accurate and up-to-date.
Feature #2: Descriptions
This is where you let users know what the purpose of your company is in 750 characters or less. You should include information that will attract customers; this is your chance to showcase what your business has to offer, what your mission is, and why they should choose you. You can basically think of this as your “elevator pitch”.
Feature #3: Book an Appointment
This allows you to take users directly to a landing page, or area on your website, where they can schedule an appointment. Customers love being able to schedule online because it’s quick, easy, and convenient. If you do not currently offer online booking, you may want to seriously consider it. Not only do people love the convenience of it, but you as the business owner will also benefit because you won’t have to chase customers down or follow up on messages!
Business owners just like you are using GMB to gain and maintain local business, and you should be too! Since more and more businesses in the HVAC industry are listing their businesses with GMB, it’s not enough to just have your business name out there on the web. You need to maintain your internet presence by keeping your information up-to-date and showing users that you are always available to answer pending questions. You should “strike while the iron’s hot” and take advantage of these 3 features, as well as explore other features that GMB has to offer. Yes, they are free, but with the way our economy works, they may not be free forever, so get in there and get ahead of the game!
If you’ve read this entire article but your business does not currently have a Google My Business page, you need to go create one right away. You’ve read about all the benefits, what are you waiting for, click here to create one and get started! Good luck!
For more content like this, subscribe to the Davisware blog.
