Tag: services

Prioritizing Visibility: Why Google Business Profile Comes Before Facebook for SMBs

The digital age has transformed how businesses operate, making a solid online presence essential for small and medium enterprises (SMBs). Here is an argument for why an SMB should focus on building a Google Business Profile before a Facebook business profile:

  1. Visibility and Search Relevance: Google is the most popular search engine worldwide, making a Google Business Profile a powerful tool for enhancing your visibility to potential customers. When people search for a business or service similar to yours on Google Search or Google Maps, your Google Business Profile could make you one of the first options they see. While Facebook is a popular social network, it’s not the first place most people go when looking for a local business or service.
  2. Local SEO: Google Business Profile is crucial for local search engine optimization (SEO). When you set up your profile, you’ll provide details about your business, like the address, hours of operation, and services offered. Google uses this information to match your business with local search queries, which could give you a significant advantage over businesses without a Google Business Profile.
  3. Insights and Analytics: Google provides robust insights and analytics to help you understand your customer behavior, like how customers find your business, what keywords they’re using, and how many call your business directly from the search results. While Facebook also offers analytics, they focus more on social engagement than search behavior.
  4. Reviews and Ratings: Google reviews can significantly influence a consumer’s decision to choose your business over others. A Google Business Profile allows customers to leave reviews and rate your business directly in Google Search and Maps, offering immediate visibility to potential customers. Facebook has a similar feature, but as previously mentioned, consumers are more likely to search for businesses on Google than on Facebook.
  5. Integration with Other Google Services: Your Google Business Profile integrates seamlessly with other Google services, including Google Maps and Google Ads. This integration means you can easily set up advertising campaigns to target local customers, and people can get directions to your storefront directly from your business profile.
  6. Virtual Tour and Images: Google Business Profile allows you to upload images and even a virtual tour of your business, which can give potential customers a better sense of what to expect and could make them more likely to choose your company.
  7. It’s Free: Setting up a Google Business Profile is free, making it a cost-effective way to increase your online presence and reach potential customers.

While a Facebook business profile can be a valuable tool for reaching and engaging with your audience, an SMB just starting out should prioritize creating a Google Business Profile. The visibility, local SEO benefits, integration with Google services, insights and analytics, and potential for customer reviews make it a powerful tool for turning potential customers into actual ones.

Product (or Services) Launch Essentials for Start-Ups, Retail, Brick and Mortar

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  • Social Media. Set up a refresh of your Facebook page, send out product launch tweets (schedule tweets 24 hours a day), create a LinkedIn group, create a webinar (webinars are huge right now, and they are the easiest way to connect with your audience). If your in retail, use Groupon. If you have a physical location your customers frequent, utilize geolocation tools like Foursquare. Make sure your business is already discoverable on geolocation apps.
  • Website refresh. Create new product-specific landing pages, feature photos (.png’s), blog content, online collateral. Adjust and enhance your website meta tags/keywords to reflect new product information. Dont forget your social sharing buttons (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc) on all website content.
  • Review copies (product launches). Reach out to influential bloggers + online publications. Send them copies 1-2 weeks before launch with an embargo date. Make sure you have some type of “blogger relations” program at least 6 months before launch. Relationship building with bloggers is key. Get to know them, comment on their blogs, reach out to them and introduce yourself way before your launch.
  • PPC campaign. Stick to one advertising platform like Google Ads, Amazon local advertising, or Facebook ads.
  • E-mail marketing. Consider offering a pre-order for your new product, exclusive only to e-mail recipients. Or, offer a sneak peek at the new product before it’s released to the public. Use email software such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, ExactTarget, Emma Mail, AWeber, or InfusionSoft.
  • Press Release. If you have budget, use Business Wire. A cheaper alternative is PR Newswire. These PR distribution companies now are fully automated and support Social Media + mobile (iPad, smartphone) tools like analytics.
  • Work your ass off. Rather then using a ton of money, use time, energy and creativity.

After launch its crucial to measure your results. Go back and re-double efforts on which of the above techniques are working and abandon the ones that are not working.