2017 has been a year of experimentation for Google in local search. It is always a challenge to keep track of the search giant’s frequent changes, and this year it has been especially dizzying. But many opportunities are presenting themselves to help businesses reach out to customers in new ways. One of those is Google Posts.
What Are Google Posts?
In June, Google made Posts available to local business users. They allow businesses to create special offers, promotions, share events, and even add photos to their Google listing. Posts can be easily created in the Google My Business dashboard and they show up right on the business’s search and map results. Posts can also be linked directly to the business’s website which will help drive more traffic and generate more customers.
On its blog, Google explained that Posts enable businesses to:
- Share daily specials or current promotions that encourage new and existing customers to take advantage of offers.
- Promote events and tell customers about upcoming events at the business’s location.
- Showcase top products and highlight new arrivals.
- Choose one of the several available options to connect with customers directly from the Google listing. These are: a one-click path to make a reservation; a newsletter sign-up; special offers; or even click to buy a specific product.
Should You Use Google Posts for Your Business?
The greatest thing about Google Posts: it’s free. It is relatively new for local businesses so there isn’t a lot of data to show their value. But, considering that 82% of people turn to search engines to find local information, and 70% of people look at multiple businesses before making a final choice, Posts can certainly help your business stand out in search. By offering custom calls-to-action directly on your Google listing, you can choose how to connect with your customers.
This screen-shot from Google’s blog shows how offers appear on a listing:
Customers can tap to read the full post, and they can share the post with their friends directly from Google.
If you have questions about creating and managing a Google listing for your business, contact The Light Digital for a marketing consultation.