Nowadays, having an online presence is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for companies. This is especially true for companies in the rental industry, where potential customers often search online for available options and make comparisons before making a decision. There are numerous tools and platforms available to increase your online visibility, ranging from paid advertising to social media campaigns. There is one tool that stands above the rest, mainly due to its effectiveness and cost, Google My Business. Google My Business is a free tool from Google that allows you as a company to manage your online presence on Google, including Search and Maps. It gives you the opportunity to personalize your company profile, interact with your customers and gain insight into how your customers find your company. In this article we dive deeper into why Google My Business is a must-have for companies.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business, often abbreviated to GMB, is a free tool from Google that helps you manage your online presence on various Google platforms such as Google Search and Google Maps. It is essentially your business profile on Google. With Google My Business you can present your business the way you want and interact with your customers, all from one place.

One of the most important features of Google My Business is the business listing. When someone searches for your business on Google, the information you entered in your Google My Business profile will appear. This can include your company name, location, opening hours, contact information, link to your website, photos and much more. This listing also appears on Google Maps, making it easy for customers to find you.

Google My Business also offers the option to share news and updates. You can post about upcoming events, special offers or other news that is relevant to your customers. These messages are shown in your business profile on Google Search, giving them a wide reach.

Another important feature of Google My Business is collecting customer reviews . Customers can leave reviews about their experiences with your company and you can respond to them. This is not only a great way to get feedback, but also to show potential customers that you value customer service.

The benefits of Google My Business for rental companies

Google My Business offers many benefits for companies in the rental sector . Below we have made a brief summary of the most important benefits for you.

  1. Better visibility in local searches: When potential customers search for rental services in the area, your business can appear prominently in search results and on Google Maps thanks to Google My Business. This is very important as many people add 'near me' or 'near me' to their searches.
  2. The ability to share photos: You can upload photos of your rental items or rental locations, giving customers a better idea of ​​what to expect. This can be especially useful for companies that rent unique or high-end items, such as luxury office spaces, boats or RVs.
  3. Direct interaction with customers: Google My Business allows you to communicate directly with your customers by responding to reviews and questions. This can help you build a strong relationship with your customers and show that you care about their experiences.
  4. Insight into customer behavior: Google My Business also provides valuable insights into how people find your business and interact with your listing. For example, you can see how many people clicked on your phone number or website, or asked for directions to your location.
  5. Free advertising: Finally, it's important to know that all of these features are free. That makes Google My Business a cost-effective way to promote your business and attract new customers.

Using Google My Business can therefore contribute to the growth and success of your rental company. It not only helps you become more visible to potential customers, but also gives you the opportunity to provide a better customer experience.

How do you create a Google My Business Account?

Creating a Google My Business account is very easy and can be done in just a few steps.

  1. Go to Google My Business: Visit the Google My Business website ( www.google.com/business ) and click the 'Manage Now' button.
  2. Sign in with your Google account: If you already have a Google account, sign in. If you don't have one, you'll need to create one first.
  3. Enter your company name: Type the name of your company in the field provided. If your business is already listed on Google, select it from the suggested matches. If not, click 'Add new company'.
  4. Add your business information: > Fill in your business details, including your address, business category, phone number and website. Please ensure this information is accurate and up to date.
  5. Verify your business: Google needs to check that your business is real before your listing goes live. This is usually done via a card sent to your business address with a verification code on it. Enter this code on the Google My Business website to complete verification.
  6. Personalize your profile: After your business is verified, you can personalize your profile by adding photos, setting your hours, and writing an introduction to your business.
  7. Manage your listing: Once your profile is live, you can manage it from the Google My Business dashboard. Here you can post messages, respond to reviews and gain insight into how people find your company.

Creating a Google My Business account is very easy, but it can have a major impact on the online visibility of your company. Make sure you take the time to complete your profile completely to get the most out of this tool.

Tips and tricks for using Google My Business

Google My Business can be a powerful tool for companies, but it is important to use it correctly. If you enter your data once and do nothing with it again, you will not get the most out of the tool. Here are some best practices that can help you get the most out of your Google My Business account:

  1. Keep your information up to date: Make sure all the information in your Google My Business profile is up to date. This not only includes your address and contact details, but also your opening hours, services and products. If anything changes, make sure your profile is updated as soon as possible.
  2. Respond to reviews: Take the time to respond to the reviews you receive, both positive and negative. This shows that you value your customer feedback and can help resolve any issues.
  3. Post updates regularly: Use the Google My Business posts feature to share regular updates about your business. This could be about new products or services, special offers, upcoming events, or other relevant news.
  4. Utilize photos: Photos can be a powerful way to present your business and attract potential customers. Regularly add new photos of your products, services, team, or location.
  5. View your insights: Google My Business provides valuable insights into how people find and interact with your business. Review these regularly to learn what works and what doesn't, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
  6. Take advantage of the Q&A feature: Google My Business has a Q&A section where customers can ask questions and you (or other users) can answer. Make sure you answer all questions quickly and accurately.

By following these tips, you can get the most out of your Google My Business account and improve your online visibility and customer engagement.

Start immediately with Google My Business

Google My Business is an essential tool for any rental company or business that operates locally. It gives you the opportunity to present your business to potential customers looking for your services and allows you to communicate with them directly. You will also gain valuable insights into customer behavior, which you can use to optimize your business strategy. If you don't have a Google My Business account yet, now is the time to create one. It's a simple process that can have a big impact on the growth of your business

January 2024