Get help setting up and optimising your Google My Business profile and understand why it's important for your facility
When you're looking for information on a service, a quick answer or a recommendation, where do you go?
We're going to take a guess that you'd take a look on Google. Every day, millions of people are taking to Google to find the information they're looking for. We want to help you to make sure your sports facility shows up in their search results.
We've put together this article to help you understand why it's important, with steps on how to create a Google Business Profile for your facility
What is a Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is a free tool that helps you to become more visible on Google with the correct information on things like opening hours, contact details and images.
When you search on google, a Google Business Profile looks like this:
Why is it important to have a Google Business Profile?
Having a Google My Business profile can significantly benefit your sports facility by increasing online visibility, attracting more customers, improving engagement, and providing valuable insights into your audience and market performance.
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Increased Online Visibility: By having a Google My Business profile, your sports facility will appear in Google Search and Maps, making it easier for potential customers to find you when searching for sports facilities in your area.
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Enhanced Business Information: You can provide detailed information about your sports facility, including your address, phone number, website, business hours, and amenities. This helps customers understand what your facility offers before they visit.
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Improved Search Engine Rankings: A well-optimised Google My Business profile can improve your local search engine rankings, making it more likely that your sports facility will appear at the top of search results when users search for relevant keywords.
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Customer Reviews and Ratings: Google My Business allows customers to leave reviews and ratings for your sports facility. Positive reviews and high ratings can improve your credibility and attract more customers, while negative reviews provide valuable feedback for improvement.
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Engagement with Customers: You can engage directly with customers through features like messaging and responding to reviews. This allows you to address customer inquiries, respond to feedback, and build relationships with your audience.
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Insights and Analytics: Google My Business provides insights into how customers find your business, what actions they take, and other valuable data. This information can help you understand your audience better and make informed decisions about your marketing strategy.
How to set up and optimise your Google Business Profile?
By following these steps, you can set up and optimize your Google My Business profile to attract more customers to your sports facility and provide them with valuable information about your services and amenities.
Step 1: Sign Up or Log In
- Visit the Google My Business website (https://www.google.com/business/) and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, sign up for free.
Note: Be sure to sign up with your business email domain, since it will be used for your business!
Step 2: Add Your Business
- Click on the "Manage now" button.
- Enter the name of your sports facility.
Step 3: Enter Business Information
- Fill in all required fields accurately, including address, phone number, website URL, and category (choose "Sports Facility").
- Make sure your business name is consistent with what's displayed elsewhere online.
Step 4: Verify Your Business
- Google will want to verify that you are the owner or manager of the business. You can usually choose between receiving a postcard with a verification code or verifying by phone or email.
Step 5: Optimise Your Profile
- Add high-quality photos of your sports facility, including the interior, exterior, and any amenities.
- Write a compelling business description using relevant keywords.
- Add your business hours, making sure they're accurate and up to date.
- Include any special attributes or amenities your sports facility offers, such as Wi-Fi, parking, or wheelchair accessibility.
Step 6: Manage and Respond to Reviews
- Regularly monitor and respond to customer reviews. Thank customers for positive reviews and address any negative feedback promptly and professionally.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business profile.
Step 7: Utilise Additional Features
- Take advantage of additional features such as posts, which allow you to share updates, events, and offers directly to your Google My Business profile.
- Use the messaging feature to communicate directly with customers who find your business listing on Google.
Step 8: Keep Your Information Updated
- Regularly review and update your business information, including hours of operation, contact information, and any changes to your services or amenities.
Step 9: Monitor Insights
- Use the Insights tab to track how customers find your business on Google and what actions they take after viewing your profile. Use this data to make informed decisions about your marketing strategy.
Step 10: Engage with Customers
- Engage with customers who interact with your business listing by answering questions, responding to messages, and posting updates regularly.