Everything You Need to Know About This Tool’s Name Change
What is Google My Business and Why Has it Been Renamed?
Google is the first place many customers meet your product and your dealership. In recent years, businesses have managed their online storefronts through a product called Google My Business.
Google recently announced that they are changing the name of this product to Google Business Profile. In this post, we will talk about what that means for the automotive industry.
88% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a related store within a week.
Source: ThinkWithGoogle
Why Does Google Business Profile Matter?
Google search results are an excellent opportunity to make a first impression. According to Google, 88% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a related store within a week, and 86% of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps.
It’s essential to showcase key information about your business here. You can also stand out to potential customers by adding your logo, photos, and more.
The good news is that managing your Google business profile is free and easy.
The tool also allows businesses to:
- Create posts, offers, and events which is a great way to keep your customers posted on things like changes in hours
- Respond to reviews building trust with new and current customers
- Send and receive direct messages easily with automated responses
- Post answers to frequently asked questions about your business
Companies with Single Listings
Businesses can now manage single listings directly on Google Search or Google Maps, either via the web interface or in mobile apps.
Google has let businesses manage individual listings directly in search results or right in Google Maps before, but this is now the preferred method. So, if you’re managing a single listing, you can just skip the old Google My Business console altogether and edit right in Maps or Search.
Much simpler.
Companies with Multiple Locations
The current Google My Business web experience will support larger businesses with multiple locations going forward with “Business Profile Manager.”
If you’re used to managing your business details in the Google My Business console, be aware that the web interface is rebranded to reflect the name change.
If you manage multiple locations for your business, you’ll continue using the Business Profile Manager. Note that there may be additional changes to Business Profile Manager in the upcoming months.
New Features!
Besides being able to claim and verify your Google Business Profile right in Google Search and Google Maps, look for these other new features:
- Branding – Local search in Google is powered much by the business profiles Google has in Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business). The web interface will rebrand a bit, but going forward, the old Google My Business features will work right in Google Search and Google Maps.
- Call History – According to Google, when a customer taps the “Call” button on your Business Profile, their calls show up in the “Calls” tab in Google My Business. From this tab you can find recent calls, missed calls, and more. Once call history is on, customers connect to you through a forwarding number instead of through the number on your profile. At the start of a call, you’ll get an automated message that says, “Call from Google.”
- Messaging – By turning on chat, your customers can contact you directly via Google Business Profile, allowing you to read and reply to messages directly.
- Message Read Receipts – The messaging feature will now include read receipts, another detail to build trust with customers.
Google is a powerful tool for dealerships, but even before you dive into advertising, take the simple step of ensuring your Google Business Profile is complete! Read more about Google Business Profile here and claim your business’s profile today.
If you’re looking to bolster your Google reviews, let us know! AutoSweet’s reputation management solution can help your dealership generate more positive reviews for your business. This not only helps your brand’s reputation but can also help you climb higher in local search results. Fill out the form below for a quick demo and strategy session on what this solution can do for you!
