Using Google as a Tool to Connect

Google can be a great tool to help you connect with your customers.  Features like their chat option allow you to chat directly with customers who find your business listing on Google Search. Responding to customers can help you answer their questions, tell your business’s story, and attract more people to your location.  Not only does Google My Business offer a chat service, there is also an option to post offers.  Both of these options are great tools to help grow your business and keep in contact with your customers.
Show you’re open for business by using Google My Business’s “post offer” option
Your listing appears right when people are searching for your business or businesses like yours on Google Search and Maps. Google My Business makes it easy to create and update your listing—so you can stand out, and bring customers in.
Keep them coming back with regular updates
Give people a reason to drop by—share your latest news, specials, and offers so they know what’s happening.
To create an update

1. Sign in to Google My Business by using the Gmail in which your Google My Business account is associated with
2. Click on the “Create Post” button on the Dashboard
3. Upload a square photo, write your post, then click “Add a button”
4. Click “Get Offer” and then add the URL your wish your users to be directed to

If you are finished with your work but would like to review before publishing, press “Preview”.  Once you are satisfied with your post, click “Publish”.
The offer you have created stays active and viewable for one week.  After the allotted week, you can then repost the same offer or post another one.  Continuously posting here shows constant offers to your potential customers.  This lets Google see you are active as well which then helps with your SEO.
 
When it comes to Google My Business Chat…
Be responsive
Customers rely on your prompt replies—people don’t want to wait a long time for a response to their questions. During your listed business hours, respond as quickly as possible to messages from customers.
When customers message you, they’ll see your average response time. (You can see this time on the “Chat” card in the Home menu.)
Avoid sensitive content
Make sure that you don’t provide or request sensitive information during a chat with customers. Sensitive information includes, but is not limited to:

• Credit card numbers
• Social Security or other government identification numbers
• Login credentials, like passwords

Avoiding sensitive content during chats keeps your and your customers’ information safe.
Edit your phone number
To edit the phone number you use for chatting with customers:

1. Sign in to Google My Business.
2. Find the “Chat” card in the Home menu.
3. On the right side of the “Chat” card, click Edit number.
4. Enter your new phone number.
5. Click Submit.

Use Allo
You can also use Google Allo, rather than SMS, to respond to messages. To start using Allo:

1. Download Google Allo from the Android Play Store or iOS App Store.
2. Register Allo with the same number you used to sign up for messaging on Google My Business.
3. Messages will start to appear on Google Allo instead of SMS.

Turn off messaging
To opt out of the messaging feature

1. Sign in to Google My Business.
2. Find the “Chat” card in the Home menu.
3. Click Opt out.
4. Click Turn off.

You can turn on messaging again at any time.
 

Let's get started