If you’re in the digital marketing space or run your own business, chances are, you’ve made good use of Google’s My Business App. This tool has been an essential part of managing online presence and optimizing SEO for businesses globally. But what happens when this widely used tool goes away? That’s exactly what we’ll be discussing today: Google’s decision to replace the Google My Business App, and what you can do to adapt to this change.
Understanding the Shift from Google My Business App
Google has recently announced that the Google My Business App is being phased out. This is a major development, as many businesses have grown accustomed to the convenient features offered by the app, such as responding to reviews, editing business information, and posting updates.
If you’ve been using the Google My Business App, you may have received an email from Google stating that the app is being replaced, and businesses are now advised to start managing their profiles through Google Search. This might seem a bit daunting initially, but fear not, we’re here to walk you through the transition.
The New Way to Manage Your Google Business Profile
First, let’s get familiar with how to access and manage your business profile post-transition. Here are the steps:
- Open your web browser (such as Safari or Google Chrome) on your phone.
- Search for your business name on Google. Ensure that you’re logged into your Google Account tied to your Business Profile.
- When you scroll down the search results, you will notice an additional window (only visible when you’re logged in) that enables you to edit your profile.
Editing Your Business Profile & Adding Photos
Click on the “Edit profile” option in the new window. This brings up several options to make changes to your business profile. If you want to add a photo, you can choose the “Photo” option. This lets you either take a new photo or choose from the photos already on your phone.
This new method replaces the old way of uploading photos through the Google My Business app for SEO purposes. Now, you need to log in to your business profile and use these in-built features to upload photos. And remember, uploading photos from your phone helps preserve the location data or the geo-data within the photo, which Google can recognize and use to enhance your local SEO rankings.
Posting Google Posts From Your Business Profile
What about Google posts, you ask? In the Google My Business app, businesses could make regular posts for SEO benefits. This feature, too, has been migrated to the new platform. Here’s how you can create a post:
- On your business profile, hit the “Promote” tab, located next to the “Edit profile” option.
- Here, you’ll find the option to add an update or a post. You can add a photo (like a before-and-after picture of a project you’ve completed), write a description, and even add a button linking to your website.
- If you’re running any special offers or discounts, you can add them here. It could be something like a spring cleaning special or a discount on specific services.
Harnessing SEO Benefits With Your Google Business Profile
All of these features can significantly benefit your SEO strategy. By posting updates regularly and uploading photos, you are feeding Google’s algorithm with fresh content and data, which can boost your visibility in local search results.
One key tip is to manage your business profile from your phone rather than your computer. This is because when you upload photos or post updates from your phone, you retain the IP address and geo-data, which can help in improving your ranking across various locations.
Conclusion
Google’s move to phase out the My Business app might seem like a big change, but with a little adaptation, you can continue to leverage Google’s tools for your business’ digital marketing and SEO efforts. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Remember, it’s all about staying updated and flexible in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. And as always, we’re here to help navigate these changes. Stay tuned for more updates and strategies to effectively manage your online presence and enhance your digital marketing success.
