Next to online reviews, consumers will next take into consideration how close a business is to their present location., hence “near me” in the search. The majority of users, on smartphones will use Google Maps to locate a business nearby.

By simply filling out the Google My Business listing, and following the verification steps you will pop up in these searches.

By simply creating  a free  Google My Business listing you greatly increase your chances of making it to the Google local 3-Pack. It is important to note that the 3-pack appears before organic results.

The easiest way to show a potential customer that they can trust that you exist is through a Google My Business listing. Adding a 360 virtual tour exponentially increases the trust, as the customer has the opportunity to see the inside of your business before visiting. Businesses that show up on Google are 2.7 times more likely to be considered reputable by consumers.

With a Google My Business listing, customers will be able to review your business and leave feedback for others to see. In doing this, you will get honest evaluations about what you’re doing right and what you could be doing better

Just by having a listing and showing up in local searches, Google has found that businesses are as much as 70% more likely to attract location visits from browsing potentials. An even more impressive figure revealed that customers who find a business through their Google My Business listing are up to 50% more likely to make a purchase.

From your Google My Business page, navigating to the “Insights” section will give you a wealth of valuable analytics that breaks down how visible your business is, who your target customers are, and how they’re engaging with your business. This can help you when modifying or improving your business marketing strategy.

Google My Business profiles provide ample opportunities for engagement. Potential customers can access your website or call you in one tap or click. Even more beneficial is the ability to reserve a table or book an appointment directly through your listing.

A Google My Business listing, on the other hand, offers a form of fast and free advertising on Google. With it you get targeted exposure on the world’s most trusted search engine, It costs nothing to create, claim, and verify your listing. It takes less time to optimize your profile than to get a solid paid search campaign up and running. You will also see results more quickly than with building up your organic search results through website pages over time.

Your Google My Business profile offers a snapshot of your business, includes relevant keywords, and depicts something unique or authentic to help you show your value.