In today’s digital landscape, establishing a strong online presence is essential for small businesses aiming to connect with local customers. Platforms like Google Business Profile, Apple Business Connect, and Bing Places for Business offer FREE platforms to enhance visibility. Understanding the reach and features of each of these listings can help small business owners to understand where to focus their marketing efforts.
Let’s look at 3 of these FREE (did I mention that part) listings
Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free tool (I will shut up now) that allows businesses to manage their presence on Google Search and Maps. Given Google’s dominance in the search engine market, GBP provides unparalleled visibility.
Key features include integration with Google Search and Maps, the ability to upload photos and videos, customer reviews, posts and updates, create events, offers and much more. The platform offers insights and analytics and booking integrations.
However, the platform’s popularity means businesses face significant competition, and managing the updates, customer reviews, hours etc becomes essential to ensure your business is well represented.
Apple Business Connect
Relatively new to the market, launched in January 2023, Apple Business Connect enables businesses to manage their information on Apple Maps, Siri, and other Apple services. Despite Apple’s substantial user base, adoption has been gradual.
Many small business owners admit that they have not claimed their apple business listing, and even more are unaware of the features it offers.
Bing Places for Business
Bing Places for Business allows companies to manage their listings on Microsoft’s Bing search engine. While Bing’s market share is smaller compared to Google, it still reaches a significant audience, especially in the U.S.
I often tell people not to neglect a Bing Listing as people working for large organizations are often restricted from personalising their desktop experience and are therefore using the companies default search engine which is likely to be Microsoft Bing.
Features include integration with Bing Search and Maps, photo uploads, business details, and customer reviews. The most notable fact for small business owners in the U.K is that Bing’s user demographic tends to be older and more affluent, offering targeted opportunities for certain businesses.
Impression Share Comparison
Google Business Profile leads in terms of impressions, with studies indicating that Google generates ten times the results of Apple and significantly more than Bing. This dominance underscores the importance of prioritizing GBP for businesses seeking maximum visibility.
Conclusion
While Google Business Profile remains the dominant platform for business listings, diversifying across Apple Business Connect and Bing Places for Business can enhance reach, particularly within specific demographics. Businesses should assess their target audience and resources to determine the most effective platforms for their needs.
Not claimed your Apple Maps listing get in touch today