27/12/24 – This week’s tip focuses on planning your 2025 marketing strategy. Many small businesses rely heavily on referrals and sporadic social media posts but neglect having a dedicated marketing budget. Understanding your average customer value is crucial for determining return on investment (ROI) and allocating resources effectively. For example, if your average customer value is £200, a £100 monthly marketing budget could yield significant returns by generating even one new customer per month. Setting a realistic budget, even starting at £50, ensures you stay proactive in attracting new business rather than waiting for it to come to you. Remember, if you’re using Google Ads and your customer value is under £750, stop immediately—it’s not worth the spend.

20/12/24 – This week’s tip explores how to increase your Google reviews by encouraging repeat customers to update their original reviews. Google allows only one review per Gmail account per business, but customers can edit their existing review to include new feedback about additional services. To make this simple, ask clients to add the current date at the top of their updated review to indicate it reflects a different experience. This not only increases your review count but also demonstrates your commitment to ongoing excellent service. Take a moment to review your client list and identify customers who could update their reviews to highlight repeat interactions.

13/12/24 – This week’s tip highlights the importance of time and consistency in maintaining your Google Business Profile (GBP). Treat your GBP like a ‘mini website’ that demonstrates to both Google and potential customers that your business is active and engaged. Consistent updates—such as posting a photo or sharing a weekly update—keep your profile relevant and improve visibility. While life gets busy, setting aside just 15 minutes a week to update your GBP can make a significant difference. Discipline and reminders, such as using a calendar, help ensure this important task doesn’t fall by the wayside.

06/12/24 – This week’s tip focuses on User Generated Content (UGC) and its impact on your business. UGC, such as reviews, testimonials, and customer-shared photos or videos, is widely trusted by consumers, with 79% saying it influences their purchasing decisions. Incorporating geotagged photos into your Google Business Profile not only signals activity but also strengthens your local search visibility, as these photos link your business to specific locations. Millennials, in particular, trust UGC more than brand-created content, making it a crucial tool for engagement and credibility. Leverage UGC to show authenticity, improve your profile’s reach, and connect with potential customers.

29/11/24 – This week’s tip highlights the effective use of images on your Google Business Profile (GBP). While many businesses focus on posting images to social media, the GBP often gets overlooked despite being a vital tool for local visibility. To stay active and relevant, aim to post high-quality images weekly to the Photos section or include them as part of an Update. Updates can act as a ‘newsroom’ for your business, showcasing your products, services, or events with engaging visuals. Pair images with concise, action-driven posts (e.g., ‘Book Now’ or ‘Learn More’) to create a professional and compelling first impression. Consistency is key—treating your GBP like a mini website ensures it remains fresh and valuable to customers and search engines alike.

22/11/24 – This week’s tip is all about seasonal offers and leveraging the Updates section of your Google Business Profile (GBP). With the festive season approaching, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase time-sensitive promotions, holiday-themed services, or extended opening hours. These updates signal to Google that your business is active and engaged, improving your visibility in the Local 3-Pack. More importantly, they offer value to customers by highlighting services or deals they may be searching for. Ensure your updates include compelling calls-to-action (e.g., ‘Book Now’ or ‘Shop Our Holiday Sale’) and links to relevant pages on your website. Staying active during the holidays not only drives traffic but also keeps your business top-of-mind.

15/11/24 – This week’s tip focuses on citations—online mentions of your business’s Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP). These citations, found on directories, social media platforms, and local listing sites, serve as trust signals to Google, verifying the legitimacy of your business. Consistent and accurate citations across the web enhance your credibility and increase your chances of ranking in the Local 3-Pack. However, any discrepancies in your NAP (e.g., outdated addresses or mismatched phone numbers) can confuse search engines and harm your visibility. Take the time to audit and update your citations to ensure uniformity across all platforms—a simple yet effective way to strengthen your online presence.

08/11/24 – This week’s update focuses on improvements to our bespoke Google Review software, based on client feedback. Previously, the optional monthly upgrade combined an AI review response feature with SMS capabilities. However, many clients only used the AI feature, so we’ve simplified the subscription by offering AI responses as a standalone upgrade at half the cost. For those who still need SMS, it remains available as a separate add-on. Additionally, the software’s global reach has expanded—now accessible to businesses in any country. These changes make it easier and more affordable to monitor and respond to reviews effectively, enhancing your online presence.

01/11/24 – This week’s tip provides a guide on how to claim and update your Google Business Profile (GBP), especially if the previous owner’s contact details are outdated. Start the claiming process through the GBP dashboard and verify your ownership using available methods. If standard verification options like postcards aren’t working, reach out to Google support for assistance. Once access is gained, update the profile with your current contact details to ensure potential customers can reach you. Don’t let outdated information hinder your online visibility—taking these steps will help you maximise the effectiveness of your GBP.

25/10/24 – This week’s tip dives into the importance of highlighting benefits over features in your marketing messages, including on your Google Business Profile (GBP). While features describe what your service does, benefits explain why they matter and how they improve customers’ lives. For example, instead of focusing solely on technical specs, emphasize how your product saves time, boosts efficiency, or enhances convenience. Apply this principle across GBP elements, such as photos, Q&A, service descriptions, and responses to reviews. By shifting your focus to benefits, you create relatable and compelling messaging that resonates with potential customers and encourages engagement.

18/10/24 – This week’s tip focuses on analyzing your Google Business Profile (GBP) from two critical perspectives: your customers’ and Google’s. Customers primarily look for reviews, responses to feedback, and high-quality photos when deciding whom to contact. Meanwhile, Google needs clear service listings and descriptions to better understand and rank your business. Treat your GBP as a ‘mini website’ by optimizing these areas. If you’re not appearing in the 3-Pack, take a closer look at what your competitors are doing and identify improvements. Don’t forget—you can request a free GBP audit to ensure you’re maximizing your profile’s potential.

11/10/24 – This week’s tip highlights the often-overlooked Q&A section of your Google Business Profile (GBP). While many see it as a space for customer enquiries, it’s a powerful tool you can use to pre-emptively answer questions about your services—essentially turning it into a customized FAQ. By posing and answering your own questions, you provide valuable information to potential customers while improving your profile’s engagement. Start thinking about the questions your customers frequently ask and populate your Q&A section to showcase your expertise and build trust.

04/10/24 – This week’s tip introduces the ‘Who Would You Choose Challenge’ to help you evaluate your Google Business Profile against competitors. By searching for a service you provide and examining the top three businesses in the Google 3-Pack, you can identify successful strategies to emulate. Businesses in the 3-Pack often have 4.5+ star ratings, recent reviews, and actively respond to feedback. If you’re not in the 3-Pack, it’s a sign of untapped opportunities to enhance your profile and climb the rankings. Remember, collecting and responding to reviews remains the cornerstone of GBP success.

27/09/24 – This week’s tips focus on enhancing your Google Business Profile (GBP) by ensuring consistency and relevance. Start by verifying that your contact details on GBP match those on your website—Google values uniformity. Additionally, consider varying the link on your GBP, such as pointing it to a specific product or seasonal offering. Regular updates signal to Google that your business is active, improving visibility.

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