Blog Layout

BACK
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Taylor Tunnison • January 6, 2022

There are many ways to promote a company online. For example, accessible resources like social media platforms easily connect diverse audiences with their favorite brands. This is important because the average American spends over 7 hours online each day. Businesses which meet customers online are better positioned to benefit from this fact. Another useful tool is a Google Business Profile, which helps consumers find companies on the popular search engine. It’s a major component of any good SEO strategy, and it’s essential to optimize it for your organization.

Why It Matters

Google is the most commonly visited search engine with over 90% of worldwide volume. People use it to look up anything from news, maps, and facts to local shops, restaurants, and service providers. In fact, most online sessions begin with a search engine for one reason or another. If your business has a website, making it visible on Google is critical to increase organic traffic. More traffic means more prospects and, ultimately, more sales and satisfied customers.

What Are Your Goals?

Google Business Profiles are free, versatile resource made for the digital age. They can be customized to display any number of business details such as locations, contact information, and product inventories. Profiles also facilitate engagement through FAQs, online ordering, and direct messaging options. This allows marketers the freedom to personalize their profile to suit their specific goals.

General Best Practices

Regardless of industry, there are some actions every company can take to optimize their profile. If you haven’t already, create and claim your business profile. Fill out all of the basic fields such as address, hours of operation, and phone number. This allows users to find you on Google Maps and place a call with the tap of their finger. Upload high-quality photos of products, services, and locations to give visitors an idea of what to expect. We highly recommend updating your profile weekly and including your website alongside social media accounts. These actions signal that you care about the user’s experience by providing them with up-to-date information. 

Retailers and Restaurants

A lot of users search online for things to do and buy in their city. Retail shops and restaurants benefit from these searches by making it easy to view and order products online. Retailers can display their current inventory with accurate pricing to encourage sales. They can also utilize the direct messaging feature to answer any questions that customers wish to ask. If your restaurant has an online menu, your profile is the perfect place to show it off. Also, display new specials and promotions beside photos of your most popular items. Clearly indicate if you provide dine-in, takeout, or delivery options to help customers make decisions. Always ask for honest reviews of your shop or restaurant, especially if someone is pleased with their experience. Then, build further trust and loyalty by politely responding in a timely manner.

B2B and Service Providers

You don’t need products or a physical location to make a Google Business Profile. Entrepreneurs, service providers, and business-to-business (B2B) companies will also benefit from this flexible digital tool. Simply list contact details including a phone number, as well as thorough information about what you provide. If you prefer online or onsite appointments, be sure to highlight this. You can even add click-to-call and quote request buttons to encourage visitors to take certain actions. Link to your website and social media profiles, if possible, to help potential clients learn more about your company. As always, ask for reviews and respond quickly to provide an exceptional experience from start to finish.

 

Digital marketing is here to stay. The barrier to entry is low and the return on investment is often higher than traditional methods. Search engines drive a majority of web traffic, and businesses which leverage these tools position themselves for success. We’d be happy to optimize your Google Business Profile and help your business reach more customers today.

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

By Rachel Hayden February 5, 2025
Owning a website is essential for businesses, personal brands, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their brand and establish an online presence. The first step to creating your website is securing a domain name. A domain is your website’s unique address on the internet, such as www.yourbusiness.com . If you're unsure where to start, this guide will walk you through the process of buying a domain name. Step 1: Choose the Right Domain Name Before purchasing a domain, it's important to decide on a name that aligns with your brand and is easy to remember. Here are some tips for choosing the perfect domain name: Keep it short and simple. Use keywords relevant to your business (or try using your business name if available.) Avoid numbers and hyphens. Choose a memorable and brandable name. Ensure it’s easy to spell and pronounce. Step 2: Check Domain Availability Once you have a name in mind, check if it’s available using a domain registrar. Websites like GoDaddy and Hover allow you to search for available domain names and provide alternative suggestions if your desired name is taken. Step 3: Choose a Domain Extension Domain extensions (also known as top-level domains or TLDs) include .com, .net, .org, and many more. The .com extension is the most popular and widely recognized, but depending on your industry, you might consider alternatives like: .org for nonprofits and organizations .net for technology-based businesses .shop for e-commerce stores .tech for technology-focused sites Step 4: Register Your Domain Once you’ve found an available domain name and chosen an extension, it’s time to register it. Here’s how: Select a trusted domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Hover. Add your domain to the cart and proceed to checkout. Choose the registration period (typically one year, with renewal options). Opt for domain privacy protection to keep your personal information secure. Complete the purchase. Step 5: Connect Your Domain to a Website After purchasing your domain, you need to connect it to a website. If you already have a hosting provider (like WordPress.com or SiteGround), follow their instructions to link your domain. If you haven’t chosen a hosting provider yet, consider purchasing one that offers domain registration and website hosting in one package. Step 6: Renew Your Domain Regularly Domain names require annual renewal to stay active. Set up auto-renewal or mark your calendar to ensure you don’t lose ownership of your domain. Offering Secure Website Solutions Since 2019 Buying a domain is the first step to building your online presence. By following these steps, you can secure a professional and brandable domain name that helps establish credibility and attract visitors. If you need assistance with website development , SEO, or digital marketing, True North Technologies is here to help! Need Help Getting Started? Contact True North Technologies today to learn more about our digital solutions!
By Rachel Hayden January 8, 2025
As we kick-off 2025, we’ve seen businesses across all industries utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve customer engagement. One of the most significant advancements in this area is the implementation of AI-powered chatbots, modernizing how companies interact with their customers, streamline operations, and boost conversions. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, AI chatbots are quickly becoming a must-have tool for engaging with customers in real-time, providing instant support, and delivering a personalized experience. Let’s explore how AI-powered chatbots are redefining customer engagement in 2025. What are AI-Powered Chatbots? AI-powered chatbots are essentially virtual assistants integrated into websites or mobile apps that use artificial intelligence to simulate human-like conversations. These chatbots are designed to interact with users in real-time, answering questions, resolving issues, and assisting with tasks without the need for human intervention. These systems are becoming more sophisticated with advanced features like natural language processing (NLP) , machine learning, and predictive analytics. This means they can understand context, learn from past interactions, and provide increasingly accurate and helpful responses over time. How AI-Powered Chatbots Improve Customer Engagement 1. Instant and 24/7 Customer Support One of the biggest advantages of AI-powered chatbots is its ability to provide instant support 24/7. Customers no longer need to wait for business hours or for a human agent to become available. The AI chatbot can handle inquiries at any time of day or night, making it perfect for businesses that have a global audience or operate outside of traditional working hours. 2. Personalized Customer Experience AI chatbots are also becoming smarter at personalizing conversations based on customer data. Through integrations with CRM systems, AI-powered chatbots can offer tailored recommendations, remember past interactions, and provide relevant content based on the customer’s preferences and behavior. This level of personalization helps build a stronger relationship between businesses and customers. For instance, if a customer has previously bought products from your online store, the chatbot can offer tailored product suggestions or inform them about new arrivals based on their past purchases. 3. Lead Generation and Qualification AI chatbots can also be used as powerful tools for lead generation. Instead of relying solely on forms or cold calls, chatbots can qualify leads in real time. By asking relevant questions and gathering important information, the AI can determine whether a website visitor is a potential customer and pass qualified leads to your sales team. 4. Reducing Bounce Rates and Improving Conversions One of the most significant challenges for online businesses is reducing bounce rates —when visitors leave a website after viewing just one page. AI webchat can help decrease bounce rates by engaging visitors the moment they land on your site. It can prompt them with a message, offer assistance, or answer questions, keeping them engaged and guiding them down the sales funnel. AI chatbots can use data to identify when a customer might be ready to make a purchase or needs additional help to complete a transaction. With timely interventions and tailored support, AI chatbots can significantly increase conversion rates. Learn more about maximizing conversion rates by reading our latest blog! 5. Reducing Customer Service Costs The chatbot can also be a huge cost-saver for businesses. By automating routine inquiries and tasks, AI chatbots free up human agents to focus on more complex issues that require a personal touch. This allows businesses to handle more customer interactions without increasing their staff or operational costs. AI chatbots can handle FAQs, order tracking, product recommendations, and even troubleshooting steps, leaving human agents available for high-value customer service interactions, like resolving complaints or managing escalated issues. 6. Data-Driven Insights and Continuous Improvement One of the most valuable aspects of utilizing an AI chatbot is its ability to collect and analyze data. By tracking every interaction, AI chatbots can provide insights into common customer pain points, popular products, frequently asked questions, and much more. This data can help businesses improve their offerings, refine their messaging, and identify opportunities for optimization. AI systems continually improve through machine learning . The more interactions the chatbot has, the more it learns, which means it can provide more accurate, relevant, and helpful responses over time. How to Implement an AI-Powered Chatbot on Your Website Implementing AI-powered chatbot on your website might seem like a complex task, but it’s more accessible than ever before. At True North Technologies , we specialize in integrating AI chatbot features into websites to provide businesses with the tools they need to engage their customers effectively. From selecting the right chatbot platform to customizing its responses and integrating it with your CRM, we can guide you through the entire process. Whether you’re looking to improve customer service, increase conversions, or enhance lead generation, we can customize a chatbot solution that meets your needs. Our team will work closely with you to integrate an AI chatbot into your website, ensuring it provides value from day one. With our expertise in digital marketing, we can help you maximize the potential of an AI-powered chatbot and transform your customer engagement strategies in 2025. Contact True North Technologies today to learn more about our AI-powered chatbot installation services and how we can help your business stay ahead of the competition.
By Rachel Hayden November 22, 2024
At True North Technologies, we are always looking for ways to enhance the way we communicate with our customers. A great tool we use and rely on to stay connected and responsive is Facebook Messenger, which allows businesses like ours to have meaningful, real-time conversations with our valued customers. Recently, Meta (Facebook) has introduced a new feature that aims to make these business chats even more efficient and user-friendly, and we want to take a moment to explain how this benefits you. Here’s a look into how we use business chats on messenger to improve your experience. A New Way to Enhance Your Messenger Experience
Share by: