Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar store, completely e-commerce, a large retailer with multiple stores or a local start-up, you need to get your business on Google. In 2019, Google dominated the Canadian market with over 92% of the search engine market share.
To succeed in a Google dominated environment, your company needs a fully optimized Google My Business listing, must be actively collecting Google reviews and utilizing the right type of Pay-Per-Click Ads to reach your target audience.
Google My Business
Almost everything on Google revolves around your Google My Business (GMB) listing. This business panel includes all the important information about your company, such as the location, operating hours, phone number and website link. This is also the place where all your reviews and user-submitted pictures are displayed.
Having a verified and optimized GMB listing is essential as Google looks to these listings to see where your business will rank for organic and map searches. To set up your listing, you first need to claim the knowledge panel and have Google verify your information.
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Have you received an automated call to your business warning that your GMB listing is about to expire? While some of these callers claim to be representing Google, they are all scams. GMB listings are free to set up and never expire, so any calls you receive claiming to be from Google can be safely ignored. |
Google Reviews
Reviews, in general, are important. With over 90% of people reporting online reviews affect their purchasing decisions,1 it’s crucial to be a well-reviewed company. Google reviews are some of the most trusted sources on the Internet and are extremely effective at driving people to your business and improving search engine optimization (SEO). Actively soliciting reviews from former and current customers will have a positive impact on your business’s bottom line.
You should have a solid strategy in place to follow up with customers about their experience working with you and a way for them to easily leave a positive review of your company on Google.
Local Service Ads
There are a number of different Pay-Per-Click and Display ads available through Google Ads. Choosing the right format for your business, industry and location is extremely important. The newest ads available in Canada are Local Service Ads that come with a $2,000 Google-backed work guarantee.
These pay-per-lead ads are proving to be extremely effective in service industries and since they’re new, you can gain an edge on your competitors if you go through the process of getting Google Guaranteed first.
Start a conversation with one of our digital marketing experts
and get your business on Google.
idig Marketing is a full-service digital agency that generates meaningful website traffic and drives high value leads to your organization. By optimizing organic content with paid advertising our custom methodology includes hosting, eCommerce and online security.
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1 The Drum. Online reciews impact purchasing decisions for over 93% of consumers.” Retrieved January 20, 2020 from: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/03/27/online-reviews-impact-purchasing-decisions-over-93-consumers-report-suggests
