Attention, local businesses! An important update from Google regarding your Business Profile’s website functionality just landed. Google Business Profile websites shutting down? No worries! Discover effective strategies to thrive online after March 2024.
From March 1st, 2024, websites created through Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business) will be turned off. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. Let’s dissect what this means for you and what steps you can take to secure your online presence.
What’s Happening with Google Business Profile Websites?
For years, Google offered a simple website creation tool within Business Profiles. These basic, subdomain-based websites (e.g., yourbusiness.business.site) showcased basic business information like contact details, photos, and services. However, this feature is officially sunsetting.
Key Dates on Google Business Profile Websites Update
- March 1st, 2024: Existing Business Profile websites will stop updating and displaying new content. As of March 2024, visiting a website created through Google Business Profiles will no longer be possible. Instead, customers will be redirected to the business’s corresponding profile on Google i.e Google Business Profile Listing.
- June 10th, 2024: Access to Business Profile websites will be completely shut down. These websites will no longer be available.
Why is Google Doing This?
Google explains their decision by emphasizing their focus on core Business Profile features. They aim to enhance search visibility and drive direct engagement through messages, bookings, and online ordering. In their view, the basic websites didn’t provide enough value for businesses or align with their strategic direction.
Impact on Businesses
If you currently rely on a Business Profile website, this change requires proactive action. Here are some potential impacts and options to consider:
- Loss of Online Presence: After June 10th, your basic website will vanish. This could harm your local search visibility and lead potential customers to dead ends.
- Rethink Your Web Strategy: This is an opportunity to invest in a proper website or migrate existing content to a new platform. Building a full-fledged website offers greater control, customization, and marketing potential. Here if you need help our parent company InfoTalks can help you create a professional and fully SEO optimized website.
- Redirect Users: Consider setting up redirects from your Business Profile to your existing website or a temporary landing page. This ensures a smooth transition and directs users to the right place.
Focus on other Business Profile Features
Optimize your Google Business Profile itself. Utilize features like compelling descriptions, high-quality photos, positive reviews, and active engagement to attract and retain customers.
Let’s dive deeper into maximizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) after the phasing out of basic websites. While the websites disappear, the GBP itself remains a powerful tool for attracting and retaining customers. Here’s how you can turn it into an online magnet:
1. Craft a Compelling Story
- Write a Google-worthy Description: Go beyond basic facts. Weave a narrative that captures your business’s essence, highlighting your unique selling points and value proposition. Use keywords local users might search for. Aim for 750 characters, with the most crucial info in the first 250.
- Showcase Your Expertise: Include relevant services, products, and attributes. Update these regularly to reflect changes in your offerings.
2. Paint a Stunning Picture
- Post High-Quality Photos: Ditch blurry phone snaps. Invest in professional shots that showcase your business in its best light. Highlight your team, products, location, and atmosphere. Update photos regularly to keep things fresh.
- Add Virtual Tours: Immerse potential customers in your space with 360° virtual tours. This is especially effective for restaurants, hotels, and stores.
3. Leverage the Power of Reviews
- Encourage Reviews: Actively request feedback from satisfied customers. Offer simple ways to leave reviews, like QR codes or review links.
- Respond to All Reviews: Promptly acknowledge and respond to both positive and negative reviews. Thank grateful customers for their feedback and address concerns professionally.
4. Spark Engagement
- Post Regularly: Don’t let your profile become a deserted island. Keep things interesting with regular posts about promotions, events, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and new offerings. Aim for weekly updates.
- Answer Customer Questions: Actively answer questions posted on your profile. This shows responsiveness and builds trust.
- Run Google Posts: Utilize Google Posts to share short, eye-catching updates with calls to action, like coupons or event registrations.
5. Embrace the Interactive Features
- Messages: Enable messaging through your GBP to allow customers to easily connect with you for inquiries or bookings. Respond promptly and professionally.
- Bookings: If applicable, set up online booking directly through your GBP for appointments, reservations, or classes. This simplifies the customer journey and boosts conversions.
GBPGM – A Powerful Tool to Optimize and Grow Google Business Profile
While mastering these features yourself takes time and effort, there are helpful tools like GBPGM (Google Business Profile Growth Manager) that can streamline the process and take your GBP optimization to the next level and 10X your Local SEO.
Here’s how GBPGM can supercharge your efforts:
- Manage Multiple Profiles: Easily manage numerous GBPs from a single platform, saving you time and ensuring consistency.
- Automated Posting: Schedule regular posts, including images and calls to action, to keep your profile active and engaging.
- Review Management: Automatically generate review suggestions and draft professional responses to both positive and negative reviews.
- Local Search Tracking: Monitor your GBP’s ranking for relevant keywords and competitor comparisons to stay ahead of the curve.
- Citation Building: Get assistance with building high-quality citations across the web, boosting your local SEO.
- And much more: GBPGM offers features like AI-powered content generation, custom review posters, and notification systems to further optimize and manage your GBP effectively.
By leveraging GBPGM’s capabilities, you can focus on the bigger picture, crafting compelling narratives, engaging with customers, and ultimately achieving your business goals. Remember, the best approach combines strategic optimization with the powerful tools available at your disposal.
So, consider exploring GBPGM to unlock the full potential of your GBP and take your local SEO dominance to new heights!
Actionable Tips for Local Businesses
1. Get Ready for Takeoff! Optimize Your Google Business Profile as Your Website Launchpad
- This headline emphasizes the increased importance of Google Business Profiles as the primary online touchpoint.
- “Takeoff” and “launchpad” create a sense of urgency and opportunity.
2. Don’t Be a Ghost Town! Time to Ditch Basic Websites and Build a Robust Online Presence
- This option directly addresses businesses relying solely on basic Google Business Profile websites.
- “Ghost Town” highlights the potential disadvantage of relying on a soon-to-be-gone feature.
- “Robust online presence” underlines the importance of a more advanced website solution.
3. SEO Spotlight: Supercharge Your Google Business Profile to Dominate Local Search
- This emphasizes the SEO benefits of optimizing your Google Business Profile.
- “SEO Spotlight” draws attention to the strategic aspect of optimization.
- “Dominate local search” suggests the potential for increased visibility and customer reach.
Navigating Google’s GBP Shift with Ease: How InfoTalks can help?
At InfoTalks (Parent company of GBPGM), we know change can be daunting, especially in the ever-evolving world of online marketing. The sunsetting of Google Business Profile websites might leave you wondering what’s next for your local business’s online presence. But fear not! We’re here to guide you through this transition and ensure you emerge stronger than ever.
Here’s how InfoTalks can be your Google Business Profile (GBP) shift superhero:
1. Crafting Your Digital Home: Ditch the one-size-fits-all template and build a stunning website that reflects your unique brand and speaks directly to your local audience. Our web design wizards will create a platform that not only converts but also showcases your story in a way that resonates.
2. Mastering the GBP Maze: Don’t get lost in the intricacies of optimizing your GBP! Our experts will navigate the platform like seasoned explorers, ensuring your profile shines with high-quality photos, compelling descriptions, and strategic keyword integration. We’ll also help you leverage features like reviews, posts, and messaging to turn your GBP into a customer engagement magnet.
3. Conquering Local SEO: Climb the local search ladder with our custom-crafted SEO strategy. We’ll identify relevant keywords, build strategic backlinks, and optimize your online presence across multiple platforms to ensure your business dominates local searches.
Remember: Google’s change isn’t just a hurdle, it’s an opportunity to unlock new levels of online visibility and customer connection. And at Local Leap Marketing, we’re by your side every step of the way.
Let’s turn this transition into a triumph! Together, we’ll ensure your business not only adapts but thrives in the evolving digital landscape. Contact us today and let’s get started!
Resources and Support
- Google’s official announcement: https://support.google.com/business/answer/14368911
- Guides on building your own website: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9310491?hl=en
- Consulting with website development professionals
The Takeaway
While the shutdown of Business Profile websites may seem inconvenient, it presents an opportunity for local businesses to evolve their online presence. Embrace the change, explore your options, and prioritize a robust website strategy. Remember, a strong online presence is crucial for local business success in today’s digital landscape. So, take action, build your web authority, and keep attracting customers through Google and beyond.
