There’s little doubt that Google is one of the world’s most successful businesses. According to Forbes, Google has a 92% share of the global search engine market. With that in mind, you need to know how you can leverage Google to promote your business. Below are five ideas.
Google Alerts
Want to know when a topic of interest is getting attention? Or, when you or a competitor is mentioned in the news? Set up a Google Alert. You will automatically receive an email when there are new online results – like a web page update, newspaper article, or blog mention – matching your search keyword or phrase. Be warned, however, too broad of an alert could trigger a flood of notices to your email box. As mentioned in a 2018 article, the alerts service has its critics who note you could miss important updates that a simple Google search would find.
Google Analytics
If you have a website – and it’s important you do – you need to be sure your marketing dollars and efforts are not wasted. A great way to evaluate effectiveness is through the free Google Analytics program. You can track web visitors, the amount time they spend on your site, and learn just how people are finding you. You get insights that only Google can provide – helping you understand what’s working and what’s not when it comes to marketing, content, and more. Your goal is to have content that boosts your search results organically. The Search Engine Journal offers advice in 5 Proven Ways to Increase Your Google Rankings. For more information on Google Analytics, go here.
Google My Business
Using a Google My Business (GMB) account, you get more than a business listing; you can easily connect with customers using Google Search and Google Maps (described below). You may have seen this GMB action when you’ve searched on Google yourself. It happens when your results show you a business in a callout box. One of the best things about GMB is that it’s free. Click here to find out how you can create an account.
Your GMB account also allows you to post photos and offers to your business profile, so you can tell prospects what makes you unique – giving them more reason to choose you and your business.
Google Search and Google Maps
Your Business Profile created for GMB (described above) will also help you on Google Search and Google Maps. Your profile allows you to take charge of what people see when they do a local search for your business.
To see how you’re listed online right now, Google your business name. Or, go here to find and manage your business listing. Type in your name and you’ll be given the opportunity to add an address, which will be used in Google’s Maps and Search functions. If your business name is already a match for Google, it will tell you – and allow you to confirm information, edit what’s on file, or suggest an update. If you’ve recently changed locations, be sure to follow these steps to let Google know, so your customers and new prospects know how to find you.
Google YouTube
YouTube is the world’s second-most-popular social media platform. It has 1.9 billion monthly average users worldwide (20% in the U.S.) as compared to Facebook’s 2.23 billion (15% in the U.S.).
If you decide you want to use YouTube to reach prospects and customers, it’s important to understand what others are doing on the site. If you spend a little time on YouTube, you’ll discover the most-watched videos are those that are useful, funny, or odd. Take a look at your competitors in the insurance space who are using YouTube and pay close attention to their “views” (the number of times their video are being watched). While the platform won’t work for everyone, it can help you increase awareness of what you do – and what you have to offer people in your area. You can get started here.
If you’re considering advertising on Google, you may find this blog post, 7 Benefits of Google Advertising, an interesting read, or maybe, How to Advertise on Google & Boost Your Business in 2019, published by FitSmallBusiness.com.
Your Word & Brown representative is also a good resource for tips and ideas on increasing referrals and building your business online and through social media. If you do not have a current rep, reach out to one of our regional offices in California or Nevada.
