Estate agents could benefit from having an online Business Profile, which is managed by a free platform called Google My Business. In this quick newsletter, we’ll explain what all this means and the benefits for estate agency businesses.
If you need support to set up your Business Profile and utilise Google My Business, reach out to a WEBPRO Estate marketing expert today.
What is a Business Profile?
A Business Profile is an online profile of a business that is displayed when a search engine user makes a relevant search. They can appear when the user searches for the business name, when they search for a service on Google Maps, or in other localised searches.
You’ve probably seen a Business Profile many times before. It usually includes:
- The business address
- Photos
- Business contact information
- A link to the business website
- Reviews
Every estate agency should have a Business Profile so prospective clients can get information or become familiar with the business. Often, people will use these profiles to check whether an estate agent is legitimate, especially after a growing trend of scammers trying to rent properties they don’t manage in an attempt to steal people’s deposits.
Your estate agency might have a Business Profile already. Anybody can create a business profile for any existing business.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a platform that allows you to verify yourself as the real owner of a business if the profile was made by someone else. It then allows you to manage all the information and content displayed on the Business Profile. You might want to think of Google My Business as the engine room to your Business Profile.
There is a distinction between Google My Business and Business Profiles. Yet, many people will use the term Google My Business to refer to both the platform and the Business Profile itself.
The benefits of GMB for estate agents
Now you know what it is, why should your estate agency be claiming its Business Profile and using Google My Business? The main benefits are:
- It helps leads know about you and contact you
- It’s especially beneficial among the local market, which is a priority for your industry
- It directs leads to your website, which is also great for SEO performance
- It allows people to verify the business as legitimate, which is especially important considering increasing scams taking place in the property industry
- It allows people to read real reviews and see how you responded to negative reviews (important!)
- It increases your overall presence and brand awareness
How to make your Business Profile better
There are easy wins and easy mistakes to make when it comes to your profile. Your business name should be correct without trying to squeeze in SEO keywords. You should use bespoke images, maybe of your team of estate agents or your office. Using stock images is a big mistake and can reduce trust that your business is legitimate. And lastly, always respond to negative reviews from renters or buyers, or landlords or sellers, in a productive way. 90% of people now read reviews before getting in touch, so most consumers will see how you handle criticism.
GMB services at WEBPRO Estate
Creating a Business Profile is free and so is the Google My Business platform. But if you want to know how to optimise your profile using Google My Business features, don’t delay contacting the WEBPRO Estate team. We offer bespoke GMB services that achieve quick results.
Recap: A Business Profile is a search result on localised online searches and Google Maps. It provides key information to help prospective leads get in touch, visit your website and read reviews. To verify you’re the owner of a business and take control of the profile, you’ll need to use the Google My Business platform. There are many benefits for estate agents wanting to have a Business Profile, especially considering these profiles are geared towards local searches.
WEBPRO Knows
Around 64% of all consumers have used a Business Profile to get contact information. Even if you have an estate agency website, you still need to pay attention to your Business Profile!
