In business, there are a lot of tools you can utilize to improve your bottom line. For local companies, Google My Business is potentially one of the most effective tools to consider.

Not only is it free to use, but you’ll have the opportunity to add your business to Google Maps and appear in local search engine results.

There are a lot of features included with Google My Business, and some are potentially more beneficial than others.

Here, you will discover the top 3 Google My Business features to take a look at…

The bookings feature in Google My Business has been around since 2016. Back then it was known as Reserve with Google, changing its name in 2017. However, it has significantly grown in popularity since then.

Initially, the feature was only available to fitness classes within the San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles areas. It wasn’t until after the change in name that it allowed businesses worldwide to utilize it.

Today, local businesses can sign up to the feature, offering a quick and easy way for customers to make bookings. The following types of businesses are eligible to use it:

         · Beauty

         · Dining

         · Fitness

         · Financial services

         · Local services

         · Shopping

Your business must fit into one the above categories if you want to benefit from the feature.

So why is the booking feature so important? It gives customers a convenient and fast way to book with you. They can also book 24 hours a day, giving you the opportunity to make bookings even when the store is closed.

The messages feature is one of the newest features added to Google My Business. Launched in February 2021, the free tool allows customers to contact businesses without knowing their email addresses or phone number.

The message button will show on your Google My Business listing, letting the customer contact you directly from there. In that sense, it works as a real-time messaging service.

Let’s look at some of the main benefits of using messages in your business…

Improving customer service – The main benefit of adding the messages feature is that it improves customer service. You know how important it is to keep customers happy, so anything that helps with that is a worthwhile investment.

The happier your customers are, the more likely they are to refer you to others. They are also more likely to come back and make repeat purchases.

Offering a more personalized service – Another important aspect of customer service these days is personalization. Customers expect a personalized service that caters to their needs.

With messaging, you’ll be able to talk to the customer one-on-one. This lets you build up a more personal connection, making the customer feel seen and heard.

Giving you the opportunity to grow – If customers can get hold of you quickly when they need to, it increases their confidence in your brand.

With the messages feature, you also get the opportunity to help customers in real time. This means you will potentially secure a lot more customers that would otherwise be lost.

For example, say a customer tries to phone the business but nobody is available to take their call. If they can’t get through, they are going to head to one of your competitors. However, if you were to have the messages feature active, instead they would be able to reach out through there.

Utilizing the feature gives you the opportunity to grow your business and cater to a wider range of customers.

Google My Business posts are one of the most useful features you can utilize. They can contain up to 1,500 characters and are posted to your profile.

You can upload text, video, photos, and eCommerce listings, and they are completely free to upload.

The posts let you provide useful information to customers, as well as keep your listing active. You can use them to promote sales and discounts, advertise new products, and improve customer experience.

Overall, Google My Business is a wonderful suite of tools that can greatly benefit your local business. The above are just 3 of the best features it offers and how they can help your company.