Are you using Google Local for Businesses – did you know it was updated and it is now called Google My Business? And… do you think Google for Business may sometimes be just TOO confusing?

If you are a small online business owner, then you might agree that marketing local businesses on Google is not an easy job. In fact, the majority of local businesses have already given up creating accounts everywhere-Google.

It’s just too complicated.

But Google is worth it

The rewards of being on Google are smooth, my friends. Google is worth it. Get your local business info right on Google and your business will have the edge over your competition.

I’m talking Google Authorship, Google Maps, Google Places, Google Plus. Then  there is Google Insights, Google Analytics, Google Hangouts, Google Reviews. Still, that is a lot of “Googles” for someone who is just getting started with marketing local businesses.

Already feeling overwhelmed? I know how that feels.

However, a (relatively small) percentage of local business owners know the power of Google; they went through the pain of creating, managing and maintaining their Google accounts. Or they hired someone who knows how to do it. And they’re now reaping the rewards.

But if you haven’t had the courage, time or nerves to go local on Google, now is the time to do it.

Why?

Because the entangled Google Local for Businesses has become simply… Google My Business.

Do your friends know about this update? Share the news:

What is Google My Business?

The former Google Local for Business was given a bit of a facelift and is now known under the name Google My Business. While the the two are pretty much the same thing, there is one update that makes all the difference: the interface.

Google My Business is THAT place where your entire Google presence is brought together:

 

 

Think about Google My Business as a friendlier interface that brings Google Places and Google Plus together. It also strengthens a business’ presence on Google by featuring important business and contact details: the entire NAPW data (name, address, phone number, website), plus photos, opening hours and client reviews.

But that’s just the social part. That’s how customers find you easily on Google.

How do you find customers with Google My Business?

Here is where the management part of Google comes in: AdWords Express, Google Insights, Google Analytics and Google Hangouts are all available through Google My Business.

If you are already marketing small businesses on Google Plus, then your G+ profile for business has already been updated and there is nothing else you need to do. But if you’re just starting with G+, access this link to get Google My Business. It’s super fast and (as compared to what is was in the past) super easy.

Google My Business still has room for improvements

Now, I am not saying that Google My Business is all milk and honey. There are still areas that, in my opinion, need improvements. For example, telling the difference between claimed vs not-claimed business places (listed vs unlisted).

But I can feel this is all going in the right direction.

You see, Google for Business is not quite the program to bring Google a lot of income – and while it is very useful for marketing small businesses online and getting good web rankings (in other words, it helps the business owner), I think we all agree it is a free service that doesn’t do much service to Google itself.

So in the past, all this Google-for-business thing was frustrating and confusing, but it is now obviously going somewhere.

Now is your turn…

• Are you using Google Plus to promote your business?
• Do you think Google My Business is easier to use than its former ancestor?
• Have you already included the NAPW data on your Google Local page?
• How often are you using Google Plus, and what for? Do you interact a lot with users or just share latest updates and move on?

I’d love to hear your opinions about Google My Business, so we’ll see each other in the Comments section!