The rapid growth of e-commerce is probably no longer a surprise to anyone. Every year, more and more companies are taking advantage of the opportunities offered by applications or websites designed for e-commerce. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the growth of online stores, this does not mean that traditional trade is in decline.
Interestingly, research by Statista.com shows that in 2020, as much as 82% of retail chains' sales worldwide will come from stationary locations. If your business is largely based on stationary sales, you are surely wondering how to increase sales or attract new customers. With help comes Google!
Website
Even if your company does not sell online, you should create an appropriate place for it in the Internet space. Ideally, it should be a website (even the simplest). You can put your location, contact information or a brief description of what you do on it. If your store has social media profiles, it's also a good idea to add a link to them on the site. Such a short business card will make your business significantly gain credibility with potential customers.
Google Maps
Data released at the end of 2021 by
Gemius makes it clear - Google Maps is used by more than 63% of Poles. That's almost 19 million users! It is worth remembering that maps are not only an itinerary, but also a source of information about dining or shopping establishments. Leveraging the power of Google Maps is the cornerstone for increasing the online visibility of your business. How to do it?
Business card
First of all, you need to create a business card - a
Company Profile on Google (formerly Google My Company). This is a completely free activity that can bring a lot of profit. The only thing you need to pay attention to is... accuracy. Take care of the detailed supplement:
- Address and contact information
- Information on opening hours
- Description (category) of activity
- Photos of the premises
Such data, like a website, will increase the credibility of your business. In addition, potential customers will gain confidence that your premises are prosperous and that the services it offers meet their expectations.
Feedback
The company's image is also very much influenced by customer reviews left under the company's profile. If you know that the level of service performed in your establishment is high and customers are satisfied with the products they purchased, it is worth encouraging them to add reviews. The more positive reviews and testimonials, the higher your brand will rank in organic search engine query results.
Why create a Company Profile on Google?
A website alone, or a brand's social media profile, are minimal activities. For example, if you run a stationary store selling handmade ceramics, it's very possible that if you don't make sure your business is properly visible online, it will get lost in the maze of similar businesses. Importantly, most customers like to check out the brand that attracted their interest before making a purchase - the vast majority will do so by using Google search. Little, Google research has shown that ¾ of users who search for something locally on their smartphones, visit the selected location within 24 hours. And when it comes to search results, more than
60% of smartphone users interact with a company that appears in them.
SEO
A company's visibility in the results list is also influenced by SEO-based activities - the core of which is Google's business card. When it comes to local activities, pay special attention to recognition, relevance of the query and distance from the user. To improve these results take care of the components of the site ie. meta title or meta description. If you use hashtags or keywords, choose them appropriately.
Also keep in mind that Google is a really intuitive system that is able to adapt to the needs of your business. For example, if you run a catering establishment, the search engine will allow you to add information, i.e. A link to the menu, delivery information or photos of dishes.
After such a solid dose of theory, there's nothing left for you to do but start taking action. Remember to complete all possible information, ensure consistency of information on the website, social media and business card, encourage customers to post reviews, conduct regular SEO activities and interact with fans.
