In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses have been shifting towards an online model wherever possible. With customers nervous about visiting business premises or having contractors come into their homes more often than necessary, businesses have had to find new ways to deliver their services.
Google My Business has always been a great tool for local SEO, and in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, it's become even more essential. A Google My Business listing allows local businesses to advertise what services they are currently able to offer to their communities and connects customers with the companies providing the services they need.
Recent changes to Google My Business
Google has been quick to try and support businesses in the wake of the pandemic. From their Coronavirus ad credits to new Google my Business features, these measures are helping companies promote their services to consumers who need them.
So, in light of our 'new normal' Google My Business has added new attributes that relevant businesses can use to help them stand out in local search results. Google My Business has always been an excellent tool for local businesses to connect with their customer base, and that's undoubtedly still the case for most businesses, even during the pandemic.
Earlier this year, Google added attributes for hospitality and retail businesses. These included:
Takeout
Delivery
Dine In
No Contact Delivery
Curbside Pickup
They also made it free for online and brick-and-mortar retailers to list their product inventory in Google Shopping. This is an incredible tool for connecting lesser-known retailers with customers looking for their products.
In June, Google added some additional new attributes for businesses to add to their Google My Business listing that can help customers see what online services that business is offering.
These are:
Online Care
Online Estimates
Online Appointment
Online Classes
These won't be suitable for every business, but they do give a wide variety of businesses a real boost. For example, the online classes attribute is great for gyms and fitness instructors that can offer remote fitness classes. The online estimates attribute is excellent for local contractors who can provide quotes for work online instead of requiring a visit to the premises.
What about businesses that can't operate at the moment?
Google has been able to help a lot of businesses, but if your business is currently unable to offer any services to customers, there's only so much they can do. However, they have considered how to help all struggling businesses at the moment. They recently launched support links, allowing people to donate to your business via a supported supplier, or buy gift cards to use at a future date. This is an incredible lifeline for struggling businesses, giving them a way to keep some cash flowing and encouraging customer loyalty.
To use these support links, you must have been verified on Google My Business by 1st March 2020, have a physical store presence, and be located within a qualifying country – including the USA.
Google My Business is essential for your local business SEO strategy
Even before the pandemic, Google was putting a lot of focus on Google My Business. It's always been a brilliant tool for promoting your business and boosting your local SEO.
Have you claimed your listing yet?