Google My Business has helped the world of local search on the web. It benefits Search Engine Optimization {SEO) for small businesses, and allows them to create a free account with Google to manage how their business appeal on Google's Search.
Using My Business, business owners can update their business name on Google, change their address, open hours, engage with those who leave reviews and others.
After revolutionizing how businesses should appeal on the web, Google updates My Business to include Google Posts so businesses attract even more potential customers to their brands.
Google Posts is a feature that allows people and businesses to create contents, and post them directly to Google Search, as well as Google Maps (depending on the query and the nature of the Post).
In June, Google that was expanding Google Posts to more people and businesses as well as organizations, said that Google Posts feature was only for those that were already invited to the program. In July, Google rolls out the feature to everybody.
Small businesses that have been using Google Posts program can still use the service. But Google moved the feature to Google My Business.
To create a Post on Google My Business, users should first log in into their My Business account. For desktop users, they can head to the left-hand side of the screen to access 'Posts'. After clicking on it, they will see the option to add a new Post, which has a variety of forms.
Google My Business is also available as apps on Android and iOS.
Uses of Google Post for My Business users include the ability to:
- Announce promotions or daily specials.
- Promote new or upcoming events.
- Highlight new products or best-selling items.
- Make reservations, sell products directly, attract more signups, etc..
Users can add an image, a title, and a text description that contains up to 300 words. What's more, they can also add a call-to-action button that include: "learn more", "reserve", "buy", "sign up" and "get offer".
According to Google on its blog post on June 22nd, 2017:
This is the reason why Google brings Posts to local businesses.
Putting these into a good use, the Posts for My Business users can further boost visibility on Google.
Before finding its way to all users, Google Posts started out as a product with a different name. It was first introduced in January 2016 as "candidates cards" where political candidates can exclusively post to Google. Shortly after that, the feature was rolled out quietly to only a handful of small businesses.
And to accommodate that, Google is also rolling out a messaging feature within Google My Business.