Google My Business
Do you or a friend own a business and use a Google service to promote or control it? Do you wish there was an easier way to control all of the information you need to have available to consumers? With Google's introduction of their new, "Google My Business", service for business owners, your wish has been granted and a variety of doors will open for businesses everywhere. This service will allow owners to update information, add photos, read reviews and use Google+ all in one place. This new service will not only benefit those businesses that are already on Google but especially help those that until now have not figured out how to have a Google presence.
Both new and experienced companies using Google will benefit from this new service. Current users of any Google business oriented service, such as Places for Business and the old Google+ dashboard will now be automatically upgraded to Google My Business. Non-users of and business-focused Google service will sign up for the service and Google will add the businesses information to Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+. This really gets the new business out there and able to be found no matter what device or service a consumer happens to be using.
Google My Business assists you in building a loyal following of customers by allowing them to show their appreciation with ratings and reviews, users can also endorse your content and re-share post across the web to spread the word some more. Owners can also respond to reviews and chat with followers or fans to give them the information they need in real time. This helps to build a good relationship with customers to ensure that they endorse your business and become return customers to your business.
In addition to the features previously previously businesses will be able to post news, events, photos and other updates that they want to share on Google+. Another important feature is the integration with AdWords Express, which helps owners to understand where their customers are coming from. Whether they are searching the business directly or are directed the business through a different avenue. This can be very beneficial to owners so they are able to use their advertising resources in the right locations, where people are the most.
While searching for restaurants via web browser is more popular that searching on mobile apps, for now, the trends seem to be leaning towards mobile app searches rising and possibly surpassing web browser searching in the future. The reason percentages for browsers are higher is simply due to the fact that web browsing has been around longer than mobile devices. That being said, Google is also developing a mobile app for the Google My Business service. This app will allow users to do all of these features on the go as well as let consumers search for businesses on any mobile device. With 81% of consumers searching for restaurants on mobile apps (Streetfight) there are unforeseen opportunities by having this app.
http://streetfightmag.com/2013/04/18/study-81-of-consumers-search-for-restaurants-on-mobile-apps/