Leverage key strategies and Google tool updates to foster business growth
As the new school season approaches we're bringing you powerful strategies and key updates to help your business thrive. Hear about new ways to get discovered with Local Inventory Ads, essential tips for service-area businesses, the latest refresh of Google’s Post Creation Tool, and tips to get the most out of your drinks menu. Plus, learn about the exciting expansion of Google's Chat feature to Maps and gain exclusive insights into this feature from our Lead Engineer. Make sure your business is at the top of its game this season!
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Refreshed Google Post Creation Tool
We are excited to announce a major refresh to the Google Posts creation experience on Google Search. This update will make creating and showcasing your events, offers and happenings simple and more powerful.
You'll now find:
A centralized "Posts" hub: The "Add Update" button has been replaced with a new Posts management screen where you can easily see and manage all your previous posts in one place.
A simpler creation process: The post creation experience is now streamlined into a single dialog. This new, simplified view allows you to quickly create updates, events, or offers from one screen.
Enhanced management view: You can now view key details associated with your posts, such as creation date, status, and post type, making it easier to track and make changes.
Minor visual improvements: We've introduced small visual changes throughout the experience to make it easier to view and interact with your posts.
Learn more about how to manage posts here.
Chat with Customers Directly from Google Maps
We are excited to announce that we've expanded our Chat features to Google Maps, allowing customers to directly message your business via Text or WhatsApp from both Search and Maps. This simplifies inquiries, bookings, and support, enhancing their experience. Studies show that globally, 67% prefer messaging a business over calls or email, with 60% favoring WhatsApp.
This mobile feature is available worldwide (excluding PH, VN, TH, TW, JP & KR).
Learn to add Chat links to your Google Business Profile here.
For a deeper dive, watch our exclusive interview with the Lead Engineer.
From a Glance to a Glass: Showcase Your Drinks Menus on Google!
Whether you’re a bustling bar, a romantic restaurant, or a cute cafe, adding comprehensive drinks menu content to your Google Business Profile is a game-changer for your business. This includes names, descriptions, prices and cocktail photos. Not only are beverage programs core to your bottom line, but adding drink menu items allows users to find your business on Google Search and Maps based on what you serve—from cocktails and wine lists to specialty coffees and brews on tap—directly on Google Search and Maps.
There are three easy ways to get your drinks menu on your Google Business Profile:
Manually edit your menu on Google to include drinks (Step-by-Step Video Demo): Input drink items directly into your Google Business Profile menu. For the best results, organize menu items into clear sections with descriptions, prices, and high-quality photos.
Use AI to upload and digitize your drinks menus (Step-by-Step Video Demo): Simply upload clear photos or PDFs of your menu, and Google’s AI will instantly create a formatted, editable, digital version for you to publish.
Link your menus (Help Center Guidance): Edit the Menu link on your Business Profile by adding the URL of the webpage where your menu is already hosted.
By actively updating your Google Business Profile with drinks menus, you can boost your discoverability and drive visits.
Connect Online Shoppers with Your Local Store: An Introduction to Local Inventory Ads
Google Local Inventory Ads (LIA) are ideal for Retailers who want to connect online shoppers with products available in nearby physical stores by showcasing your products, inventory and store information to nearby shoppers searching with Google. When a consumer clicks on a Local Inventory Ad, depending on your setup, they are directed either to a Google Shopping-powered storefront or to your website with in-store availability information.
Promote your in-store inventory: Let local shoppers know that your store has the products they’re looking for, at the moment they search on Google.
Bring your physical store online: Show your in-store product and price availability hosted on Google, or for local inventory ads, show your own website with a product page with in-store availability as a robust, digital in-store experience.
Measure performance: Monitor the impact your digital ads have on online and in-store performance goals. Note that Store visit measurement is only available in select countries.
In summary, if you have a physical store, sell tangible products, and want to attract nearby customers who are ready to buy, Google Local Inventory Ads are a highly effective advertising solution.
Learn more: Local inventory ads and free local listings
Sources: Local inventory ads and free local listings overview, Local inventory ads FAQs, Local Inventory Ads
Service Business? Set Your Service Area!
If you run a business that travels to customers—like a plumber, cleaner, or pest control service—you're a Service-Area Business (SAB). While you'll need to provide a physical address to create your Google Business Profile, it's crucial that you do not publish it since you don't serve customers at that location. Instead, you'll define your service area.
This tells Google exactly where you operate, boosting your visibility in relevant local searches and ensuring you connect with customers who are truly in your service range.
To get the best results, follow these simple guidelines when setting up your profile:
Be specific: Define your service area with as much detail as possible, using cities, counties, or zip codes.
Add up to 20 areas: You can include up to 20 distinct service areas on your profile.
Stay within a two-hour radius: The boundaries of your overall service area should not extend more than about two hours of driving time from your business's location.
Do not create multiple listings for the same business to cover different zip codes. This is a violation of Google's guidelines and can lead to suspension.
How to Manage your service area
Check out the resources below for more helpful content for your business:
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3wZepp app that makes recording easy and gives awesome results when you see 🙈 calories down
Digital hybrid Electronic Technician @ EL-NASTECHNOLOGY⚡// Technical Support, Cybersecurity
4wThanks for sharing I appreciate the opportunity and learning update ⚡🕊️👳👮💂💂🇳🇬
👉🏬Local SEO Consultant | ✅ GMB(GBP) Crafter | #SEO | #Content Marketing |
4wThe post creation tool was very simple and easily manageable and overall good updates, thanks for sharing
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4wLoving the updates on service area business tips! Looking forward to testing out the refreshed Google Post tool 👏