Let me start by saying I’m not telling you to ditch Facebook. It still has its place, and for lots of local businesses it works well.
But if I had to choose which one a small business should get right first, I’d pick Google Business Profile every time. Here’s why.
It’s where people look when they’re ready to buy
Think about the last time you needed a plumber, a café or a hairdresser. Chances are you searched on Google or opened Google Maps.
That’s the big difference. People scroll Facebook to pass the time. They search Google because they need something, often right now.
Your Google Business Profile is the box that appears with your opening hours, phone number, directions, photos and reviews. For many people, it’s their very first impression of your business, before they ever visit your website or social media.
It’s free and it’s often overlooked
Setting up and managing a Google Business Profile doesn’t cost a penny. Yet many businesses set one up years ago and haven’t touched it since.
That can mean old opening hours, a missing phone number or photos from a decade ago. If a customer turns up to find you closed when Google said you’d be open, that’s a frustrating experience, and it reflects on you.
Reviews build trust quickly
Google reviews are one of the first things people look at when choosing between businesses. A good number of recent, positive reviews can make all the difference.
And it’s not just about the star rating. How you reply matters too. A friendly thank you to a happy customer, or a calm, helpful response to a complaint, shows people you care.
It helps you show up in local searches
When someone searches for something like “florist near me” or “web designer North Yorkshire”, Google shows a list of local businesses on a map. A complete and active profile gives you a better chance of appearing there.
Things that help include:
- Choosing the right business categories
- Keeping your details accurate and up to date
- Adding good photos regularly
- Getting and replying to reviews
- Posting updates and offers
You can post on it too
Many people don’t realise you can share updates on your Google Business Profile, just like on social media. You can post news, offers and events, and they appear right where customers are searching.
It doesn’t need to be daily. Even a post or two a month shows Google, and your customers, that you’re active.
So where does Facebook fit in?
Facebook is still great for building a community, sharing what’s going on behind the scenes and keeping in touch with existing customers.
The way I see it, Facebook helps people get to know you. Google Business Profile helps new people find you. Ideally you want both working together, but if your time is limited, make sure your Google profile is sorted first.
Your next steps
- Search for your business on Google and see what comes up.
- Check your opening hours, phone number, website and address are correct.
- Add some fresh, good-quality photos.
- Reply to any reviews you haven’t answered yet.
- Ask a few happy customers to leave you a review.
Want some help?
If your Google Business Profile needs a bit of love, or you’re not sure where to start, just get in touch. I can help you get it set up properly or show you how to manage it yourself with confidence. I also have a downloadable, you can buy, which gives you real step-by-step information to get your Google Business Profile right from the beginning. Click here to buy today
