Haidan DongWish you could get your print shop more noticed? You may have seen other businesses show up in Google search under the map snippet when you type “printing near me”. What did they do to get there? They set up their Google My Business listing.
What is Google My Business?
According to Google,
Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.
Source: Google My Business
Any business that has some face-to-face interactions with customers can use Google My Business. All you need is a Google Account to begin. It’s a tool that we definitely recommend to small print shops. Here’s why.
What are the benefits of setting up a Google My Business listing?
- Your business will be found on Google Maps
- Your business will be more visible on Google Search
- You can provide accurate information about your business
- You can post photos of your business
- It’s easier to manage your public relations
- You can access information on how people search for your business
Why Your Print Shop Needs Google My Business
1. Your business will be found on Google Maps
Using Google My Business is perfect for targeting local customers. Potential customers who are looking for printing services may want to:
- See all the print shop options in their area, or
- Find the print shop that’s closest to them.
By typing “print shop” or “printing services” into Google Maps, they will see many print businesses close to them displayed like so:
If you’ve set up a Google My Business (GMB) listing correctly for your print shop, it will show up on the map. This makes it easy for customers to find your business.
The reverse is true. If you haven’t set up a GMB listing for your shop, your customers will have a hard time finding your location because it won’t show up on Google Maps.
2. Your business will be more visible on Google Search
There are a lot of print shops competing for high search rankings in Google’s search engine. How can you bring your print shop to the top? One method that is particularly powerful for your small local business is local SEO. And one way of the top ways to improve your local SEO is using Google My Business.
When local customers want to find printing services, they may type in search queries similar to these:
- Printing in Pittsburgh
- Print shops near me
- Fast flyer printing
- Wholesale trade printer in Markham
On the results page, before they see the organic results, they’ll see the paid ads and then a map with local businesses listed just underneath it, like so:
If your print shop is in Pittsburgh and you’ve set up Google My Business listing correctly, your location will show as either a red dot or a red marker on the map. So even if your website doesn’t show up near the top in the Google search results, it will still appear in the map. This increases your visibility.
3. You can provide accurate information about your business
Google My Business allows you to claim your business, which gives you control over the information on your business profile. This way, you can update it with the most accurate information so that your clients know when and how to contact you.
Be sure to check the following, or add them if they don’t exist:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Hours of operation
- Website
Having this information listed makes it easier for clients to reach you (e.g. when they ask for a quote). It also makes you look more legitimate than your competitors, who may not have claimed their page yet and are missing information. Here’s a comparison between two printing businesses:
Pete’s Print Shop is unclaimed. It is missing information and is asking whether the reader owns the business. Little Print, on the other hand, is claimed and has a lot more information.
4. You can post photos of your business
According to the Google My Business Help page,
Businesses that add photos to their listings receive 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t.
Source: Google My Business
Photos appeal to your more visual customers and make your print shop easier to find when they are looking for it. Adding a picture of your team can also make your business look more friendly and professional. This is an opportunity for you to look better than your competitors. You can even add videos!
5. It’s easier to manage your public relations
As clients leave reviews for your business, sometimes you may want to thank your them for their positive reviews, or reach out to those who have posted negative ones. Google My Business allows you to respond to reviews so that you can manage your print shop’s public relations by yourself.
You can also easily answer questions that people have when they post them on Google, like this:
6. You can access information on how people search for your business
Don’t you wish you could get into the minds of your customers? Google My Business gives you the information you need to start figuring out what your customers are thinking. It tells you how potential customers are looking for you and helps answer your questions, such as:
- Are customers typing your print shop’s name directly into Google?
- Which words are customers using to find your print shop?
- Do more customers find you through mobile phone or desktop?
- How many customers end up visiting your website?
- How many customers request directions to your shop?
- What is your business known for?
- And more
Based on this data, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions on how to promote your business. You won’t have to waste your budget on things that don’t work. Instead, you can target more effectively. After all, it’s a lot easier to improve when you know what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong.
Google My Business is Great for Local Print Businesses
Google My Business makes your print business easier to find in local searches and helps you understand your customers more. When your clients are able to contact you with just a quick Google search, it increases their chances of placing an order. Why not try this free tool for your print shop? You can start at the Google My Business page or learn more about how it works.
Ready to start using Google My Business for your print business? Get started with our 4-step guide.
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