What Are Google Posts?
Google Posts are updates that businesses can share directly on their Google My Business (GMB) profile. They appear on Google Search and Google Maps to engage customers with timely information, promotions, events, and more. These posts can include text, images, links, and videos.
Types of Google Posts
What’s New: Share general updates, news, or announcements (e.g., new product launch).
Event: Promote upcoming events with details like dates and times.
Offer: Advertise special promotions, discounts, or limited-time offers.
Product: Showcase specific products with price and purchase links.
Job: Post job openings with details on how to apply.
How Google Posts Appear
Google Search: Posts appear in the Business Profile when users search for your business or related terms.
Google Maps: Posts are visible in your business’s information panel on the map, helping users discover updates, offers, or events nearby.
Why Google Posts Matter for Customer Engagement
Enhancing Visibility in Local Search Results
Google Posts help your business stand out in local search results by providing fresh, engaging content directly in your Google My Business profile. They appear alongside your business information, increasing your visibility and attracting more local customers searching for relevant services or products near them.Encouraging Customer Interaction Directly from Google Search
With Google Posts, customers can interact with your business right from Google Search. By including clear calls-to-action (CTAs) like “Call Now” or “Learn More,” you make it easy for users to take immediate actions, boosting engagement and conversions without leaving the search results.Creating a More Dynamic and Up-to-Date Online Presence
Regularly posting updates, promotions, or events keeps your Google My Business profile fresh and relevant. This helps position your business as active and up-to-date, which is important for both customer engagement and search rankings. Frequent, timely posts show that your business is engaged with its audience.Building Trust and Showing Relevance in Real-Time
Google Posts allow businesses to communicate in real-time, showing customers that your business is aware of their needs and current trends. Whether it’s a new product, a limited-time offer, or a special event, sharing these updates builds trust and enhances your reputation, making your business appear more accessible and responsive.
By using Google Posts on your Google My Business profile, you can enhance your local SEO, encourage immediate customer interaction, keep your profile dynamic, and show your business’s real-time relevance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Google Posts
1. How to Access Your Google My Business Account
Go to the Google My Business website: https://www.google.com/business/.
Sign in using the Google account associated with your business.
Once logged in, you’ll be directed to your GMB dashboard, where you can manage your business profile, posts, reviews, and more.
2. Navigating to the “Posts” Section of Your GMB Dashboard
From your GMB dashboard, look for the “Posts” section on the left sidebar.
Click on “Posts” to enter the area where you can create, manage, and view all the posts for your business.
3. Walkthrough of Creating Different Types of Posts
Once you’re in the “Posts” section, you’ll see options to create various types of posts:
What’s New: Share any general update or news about your business.
Click on “Create Post,” enter your text, and add any additional information.
Event: Promote upcoming events with dates, times, and details.
Select “Event,” add the event name, date, time, and location.
Offer: Advertise promotions or discounts.
Choose “Offer,” provide details such as the offer description, start and end dates, and any promotional codes.
Product: Highlight a product you want to feature.
Select “Product,” add product details, and include a link to purchase.
Job: Post job openings and application instructions.
Choose “Job,” enter the job title, description, and application link.
4. Adding Images, Links, and Calls to Action
Images: For each post type, you can add images to make the post more engaging. Click on the camera icon to upload a high-quality image that represents your update or offer.
Links: Include relevant links in your posts, such as links to your website, booking page, or event registration. These links will appear as clickable buttons in your post, enhancing engagement.
Calls to Action (CTAs): For effective engagement, always add a strong CTA. Google provides options like “Call Now,” “Learn More,” “Get Offer,” or “Buy Now” depending on the type of post. Choose the appropriate CTA that prompts users to take action.
Tips for Creating Effective Google Posts:
Keep your text concise but informative.
Ensure that your images are relevant, high-quality, and correctly sized (minimum 400 x 300 pixels).
Make your CTAs clear and actionable, directing customers to take the next step, whether it’s contacting you or visiting your website.
By using Google Posts on GMB profile, you can create a more dynamic, engaging, and updated presence that attracts potential customers and encourages interaction directly from Google Search and Maps.
Best Practices for Google Posts
Write Attention-Grabbing Headlines
Keep headlines concise, action-oriented, and focused on the main message. Example: “Get 20% Off This Weekend!”
Use High-Quality Images and Media
Post clear, high-resolution images or videos that reflect your brand and are relevant to the content.
Include Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Use direct CTAs like “Call Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Offer” to prompt customer action.
Post Regularly and Consistently
Post once a week or whenever there’s an update to stay active and engaged with your audience.
Ensure Posts Are Relevant and Timely
Tailor posts to current trends, seasons, or customer needs to keep them relevant and engaging.
Tips for Optimizing Google Posts for Better Results
How to Use Google Posts on Google My Business to Increase Customer
Use Keywords and Local SEO Techniques
Incorporate relevant keywords and location-based terms in your posts to improve local search visibility. For example, include terms like “best [product/service] in [city]” to target nearby customers and enhance your chances of appearing in local searches.
Timing Your Posts for Optimal Visibility
Post when your audience is most active, such as early mornings, lunch hours, or weekends. For time-sensitive offers or events, schedule posts in advance and refresh them closer to the date to ensure maximum visibility.
Monitor Performance and Adjust Strategies
Regularly check Google My Business Insights to track post performance, such as views, clicks, and customer engagement. Use this data to refine your strategy, focusing on the post types that generate the most interest, and adjust future content for better results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Google Posts
Not Updating Posts Regularly
Leaving outdated posts on your Google My Business profile can make your business seem neglected. Regularly update posts to keep your audience engaged with fresh information, promotions, or events that align with their current interests.
Lack of Clear and Engaging CTAs
Posts without effective CTAs miss opportunities for conversions. Make sure each post has a strong, clear call to action, such as “Sign Up,” “Shop Now,” or “Claim Your Offer,” to drive customer interactions and guide them toward the next step.
Neglecting Post Performance Data
Ignoring the performance metrics provided by Google My Business Insights can leave you unaware of what types of posts resonate with your audience. Leverage these insights to identify trends, optimize your posts, and adjust your strategy based on customer engagement patterns.
Measuring the Success of Your Google Posts on Google My Business
Tracking Engagement Through GMB Insights
Google My Business Insights provides data on how your posts are performing. To access this, log into your GMB account and click on “Insights” from the dashboard. This will show detailed metrics on how users interact with your posts.
Key Metrics to Monitor:
Views: The number of times your post has been seen. This helps gauge visibility and reach.
Clicks: The number of clicks your post receives. This indicates user engagement, whether they’re clicking on a link or taking action.
Directions: How many users clicked on the “Get Directions” button, showing interest in visiting your business location.
Calls: The number of calls initiated directly from your post. This shows direct customer interest and potential for conversion.
Analyzing Impact on Website Traffic and Conversions
Use Google Analytics to track how many users visit your website after clicking a link in your Google Post.
Set up UTM parameters on the links in your posts to monitor traffic specifically coming from your Google Posts.
Measure conversions, such as purchases, sign-ups, or appointments, to understand the effectiveness of your posts in driving real business results. Analyzing these metrics helps you determine which types of posts are most successful and optimize future content.
Conclusion
Benefits of Google Posts for Customer Engagement
How to Use Google Posts on Google My Business to Increase Customer Engagement involves boosting visibility, fostering real-time interaction with customers, and keeping your business profile updated. For Digital Entire, it’s a great way to connect with your audience and stay visible on Google Search and Google Maps.
Start Using Google Posts Strategically
By posting timely and relevant content with clear calls to action (CTAs) and using local SEO techniques, Digital Entire can drive more customer engagement and improve overall business outcomes.
Call to Action
Get started with Google Posts today and see how Digital Entire GMB Expert can enhance customer engagement and grow your online presence!