The best and most important way to increase credibility and visibility for your self-storage business is to create a Google Business Profile and keep it updated. Today, let’s quickly look at what a Google Business Profile is, how to set one up, and how to update it.
What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is an online business tool that allows customers to search for and locate your business online. A GBP listing increases visibility for businesses, connects customers looking for a business to actual businesses, and enables businesses to communicate with potential customers through updates and posts in their profile. A GBP is a free and invaluable tool to help businesses succeed.
Using this tool, businesses can post pictures, updates, and all pertinent information related to a business, including all contact information, location, business hours, and allow customers to contact the business using buttons like “call.”
The more frequently a business posts or updates a profile, the more visibility that a business has within the Google algorithm. These go hand in hand. You can post daily updates or schedule those updates in advance. Updates are useful to potential customers as they receive real updates from the business on its activity, and then they can make informed decisions about your business being the best fit for their needs.
Part of the GBP is the opportunity for customers to review your business. This provides a review scale for your business based on 5 stars. Customer reviews should be responded to quickly by management. This process is easy and takes less than 5 minutes. This is a great way to interact with your customers directly online and offline. Let’s discuss an example.
Example 1: 5 -star review
The business owner/manager can see that a 5-star review has been completed. Google notifies the account manager via email with a link to reply now. The manager can then see who left the review and what they said. This is an opportunity to thank the customer online for the positive feedback, and to acknowledge it the next time they are in the office in person.
Example 2: 3-star review
Negative reviews are another opportunity for communication from the manager to the customer. Managers can reply online and offer to make things right. Address the specific issue if given in the review. Offer a phone number or email for the customer to reach out to you. The manager now has the name of the person and can reach out directly to that customer, assuming they are a real customer. But what if they are not?
Now the manager can see that this person has never leased from us and is not a real customer. That can also be respectfully addressed in the reply.
“We’ve noticed that you’re not a customer of ours at ABC Storage. We would love for you to become one, because we know your review of our business will change if you give us a chance. Come in for 10% off your first month.”
Fake negative reviews happen occasionally, but are rare. Negative reviews that are not fake are a great opportunity for communication and growth.
Tips for today:
- Set up a Google Business Profile.
- Post a business update today or as soon as your profile is approved.
- Reply to reviews within 24 hours.
This article from Semrush provides more detail about Google Business Profile. We have also written previous blog posts on the value and necessity of having a GBP. This topic is so important we talk about it often.
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At Coastal Storage, we know what it takes to be successful in self-storage. Call us today at 904-591-0140 to work with our team of self-storage experts on business solutions and investments.