It’s no secret that running a business is tough, and allocating funds to your marketing budget can be a daunting task.
That’s why so many business owners are on the hunt for free methods of advertising. And guess what?
There are actually many ways to advertise your business on Google for free! Among these methods are Google Maps, Google My Business, and search engine optimization (SEO).
I’ll be covering all of it in the coming sections. Let’s get started.
1. Google My Business ( Best way to get free traffic)
Imagine your business appearing right at the top of search results every time your prospect search queries related to your products or services.
Sounds like a dream, right? But did you know that with Google My Business, this can become your reality?
Let’s face it; the world is evolving, and almost everything is going digital. With more people searching for products and services online, a strong online presence is no longer optional but necessary.
Thanks to Google My Business, small business owners can now promote their businesses online for free.
The platform is designed to help businesses show up in local searches on Google and Google Maps. When a potential customer searches for a product or service relevant to your business, your business profile will appear right at the top of local search results.
So, how do you create a Business Profile on Google My Business?
First, you need to sign up, fill in your business details, and verify your business. When creating your business profile, ensure you include key information such as you
- Business hours
- Contact information
- Customer reviews.
Customer reviews are particularly important since it is a credibility factor. With more positive reviews, you stand a better chance of attracting more customers.
In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is critical, and Google My Business is an excellent tool for achieving that.
Take advantage of this powerful tool to advertise on Google for free.
2. Partner up with other businesses on Google
Partnering up with other businesses in your area offers an excellent opportunity to tap into an already established customer base, while also exposing your products/services to potential new clients.
By collaborating, you can work together to create a win-win situation that benefits both parties.
So, where do you start?
Firstly, create a list of 5-10 local businesses on Google My Business that complement your services. For instance, if you run a fitness center, you could partner up with a health food store to offer customers a package deal or collaborate on events. If you’re in the beauty industry, you could partner up with a nail salon, and so on.
Next, reach out to your chosen businesses via phone, email, or social media platforms to discuss possible collaborative opportunities. You can propose partnering on events or cross-promoting each other on social media platforms. For instance, you can create an Instagram post promoting your partner’s store and vice versa.
Collaborating with other businesses on Google is a fantastic way to expand your marketing reach and build meaningful relationships. When you work together, you can leverage each other’s strengths to create something special. Get out there and start building some partnerships!
3. Google Maps (Leverage the power of Google search)
Ah, the almighty Google Maps! Not only is it a life-saver when you’re lost in an unfamiliar place, but it’s also a powerful tool for free advertising. That’s right, folks! If you’re wondering how to advertise your business on Google for free, you’ll definitely want to get cozy with Google Maps.
First things first, let’s talk about local SEO. Google Maps is a key player in local SEO because it can make or break your business’s online presence. When someone searches for a product or service near their location, Google Maps listings are the first things they see. So, if your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps, you’re missing out on potential customers.
That’s where a Google My Business (GMB) account comes in handy. To show up on Google Maps, you need a verified business address and a mobile-friendly website. With Google My Business, you can manage how your business appears on Google search and maps, including your address, hours, website, photos, and more.
But wait, there’s more! Optimizing your Google Maps listing can give you multiple benefits. For instance, you can add high-quality photos and videos of your products or services to make your business stand out. You can also create business posts to share updates, offers, or events with your target audience.
Another important thing to focus on is getting Google reviews from happy customers. These reviews can improve your search rankings and increase your credibility. Plus, you can engage with reviewers and respond to their feedback to show that you care about their experience.
To take things a step further, you can embed a Google Map on your website to make it easy for customers to find your business location. And, if you want to boost your business’ authenticity and trustworthiness, you’ll want to build local citations (i.e. online mentions of your business name, address, and phone number).
So, if you’re looking for creative marketing strategies without breaking the bank, Google Maps is definitely your friend. Just make sure to optimize your GMB account, add rich media content, get customer reviews, embed a map on your website, and build local citations.
How do I post my small business on Google?
If you haven’t heard of it already.
By creating a Google My Business profile, you can showcase your products or services, provide your business address and hours, respond to customer reviews, and even add photos.
But that’s not all.
Google My Business also has a feature called “Posts” that lets business owners promote their products or services directly on Google search results. It’s like having a mini ad for your business!
To get started, log into your Google My Business account. From there, click on the “Posts” tab. You can create a post by uploading a photo or video, writing a short description, and adding a call to action button. This can be anything from “Learn more” to “Book now” to “Shop now.”
Remember to keep your post relevant and eye-catching. Think about your target audience and what would appeal to them. Use keywords that potential customers might be searching for. And don’t forget to include a strong call to action that will encourage them to take action!
4. Business listing sites on Google
Business listing sites can help your company establish a successful presence on the world’s most popular search engine.
First things first, let’s talk about why you need business directories to succeed on Google.
By listing your business on different directories, you widen your online reach and generate more leads, resulting in more traffic and more sales. But here’s the kicker: you need to be consistent and accurate with your business information across all sites.
I have already mentioned the top dog in the directory space – Google My Business.
Though it’s a great start, don’t underestimate the power of lesser-known sites. Sites like Yellow Pages & Yelp can also help your business get noticed and boost your Google presence. Don’t overlook them!
In fact, the more listings your business has, the better. It not only increases your reach but also creates valuable backlinks to your website, which can significantly boost your search engine rankings. Be sure to include important details such as your business address, operating hours, services, and other special features to help your ideal customer find you easily.
Get started with listing your business on different business directories and watch your web traffic and leads soar.
How can I run ads for free?
You can run ads for free using Google’s ad credits program. With this amazing program, small and medium-sized businesses that advertise directly on Google may be eligible for ad credits to run search or display ads, all for free. Imagine being able to reach your target audience without having to spend a single penny on advertising!
But how do you qualify for this program, you might ask?
Businesses must have had active accounts since the beginning of 2019 and have advertised in 10 out of 12 months in 2019. It’s important to comply with Google’s advertising policies as well. I am assuming most of you who are reading this haven’t run any ads. So, this is why I didn’t mention it earlier.
But for those who don’t fall under this category. Then don’t wait, head to Google now and start applying for the ad credits program.
Be sure to make use of the search ads and display ads options, and stay within Google’s advertising policies to maximize your chances of eligibility. With these ads running for free, you’re sure to see an increase in relevant searches, search intent, and prospective customers. Plus, you’ll save on your marketing budget while still being able to get your business out there in a big way. What more could you want?
Do I need Google Ads for my business?
The need for Google Ads depends on your business goals and target audience.
Are they highly active online?
Do they tend to make online purchases?
If yes, then Google Ads could be your jackpot.
But how do you know if people are searching for your products? Easy – use Google’s keyword planner to verify the user search intent and the number of users looking for your products. This will help you determine the potential ROI of Google Ads for your business.
Secondly, assess your marketing budget and available resources for managing the ads. Google Ads can be a form of highly effective digital marketing but do keep in mind that it does require a good chunk of your budget and you’ll need to invest time and effort in managing the campaigns.
Next, take a closer look at your business competition and the relevancy of the keywords you plan to use. If your competition is strongly established with a high level of search engine optimization (SEO), then Google Ads may not be a wise investment at the moment. You also need to ensure that your keywords are relevant to your business and industry, as well as what your target audience is searching for.
There’s no denying that Google Ads can be a powerful tool to boost your business online presence and help you stand out in the crowded digital marketplace. However, the decision of whether or not to use it should be made after due consideration of these factors.
Conclusion
There you have it – a simple guide on how to advertise your business on Google for free. We’ve discussed everything from setting up your Google My Business profile to the importance of collaborating with other businesses. Hope you found these tips helpful, now it’s time to put them into practice!