Finding ways to reach new customers is always a challenging aspect of running your own business. Having a digital presence is a must if you want prospect customers to find you quickly and easily.

Did you know that Google My Business is a free tool that enables you to increase your business profile across Google services?

Your business can appear in Google Search, Maps and Shopping, ultimately improving your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) ranking. Customers looking for an electrician in your area and in your specialty fields can find you easily via a quick Google search.

Approximately 90 per cent of consumers search online when they are looking to find a local business or service.

Follow these five easy steps to create your profile and do not miss this golden opportunity to be discovered online and start building a strong business profile in your community:

1. Search Google My Business Profile Manager (note: if you do not have a Google account, you will need to create one).
2. Create your business profile including your business name and business description, location, business phone number and business logo. For higher SEO visibility, we also recommend adding your website details or your business Facebook page. If your business services multiple areas, Google will also give you the option to add these details.
3. Verify your Google My Business profile – this is a very important step and allows Google to determine that you are registering a genuine business. On completion of your initial set-up, Google will mail a code to you, with the code to be submitted in your profile to finalise verification. Note: this can take up to six weeks, so it’s important to create your profile as soon as possible.
4. Once your listing has been verified, it’s time to start optimising your profile to ensure you appear as high on the search list of electrical contractors in your area, as possible. The more you optimize your profile, the more highly it will be ranked by Google as an authoritative listing. This means regularly completing the following:
   • Ensuring your website/Facebook link details are correct,
   • Updating your business hours if they change,
   • Adding photos of completed projects and team photos – this enables prospect customers to see who you are and is a great opportunity to showcase your work,
   • Update your service offering – if you’ve recently moved into specific fields like Smart Home Technology or solar installation, make sure your profile reflects this
5. Start obtaining customer reviews as soon as possible – good reviews from other customers can be the deciding factor that tips prospect customers your way. This can be as simple as sending a follow-up text to request feedback on your profile, to the customer after the job has been completed or including a review request and link to your profile when emailing the customer invoice.

Don’t forget, time is money and if you are dealing with free marketing channels like Google My Business, it’s extremely important to invest time to maintain your profile, to ensure your business stands out from competitors.

MORE FROM MEA

• 5 marketing must haves for electrical contractors
• 7 Barriers That Prevent Electrical Contractors From Growing Their Business
• Why Electrical Contracting Businesses Fail in the First Four Years