A group of pakihi owners recently attended a wānanga at Google New Zealand called "Google My Pakihi," where they learned some cool stuff that helps businesses shine on the internet. In today's digital world, having an online presence is crucial, and we want to share how you can make the most of the free Google My Business products to get your business noticed.

Here's what they found out and why it's essential for your Pakihi:

1. Get Discovered on Google Search and Maps

When you have a Google My Business profile, it's like a virtual stamp of approval for your brand. It increases the chances of people choosing your business. Think of it as your digital storefront – something you definitely want.

• Businesses with a strong online presence are more likely to grow their revenue, export, and hire additional staff.
• Did you know that when people look for stuff online, one in three will go with their second choice just because it shows up in search results? Yep, that's how important it is.

2. Keep Your Online Presence Fresh

About 40% of the time, people search for local businesses to check their hours of operation. So, keeping your profile updated is a must. And here's a fun fact: businesses with photos on their search results page are way more attractive to potential customers.

• Nearly 90% of customers are more likely to visit a business that showcases photos on a search results page. You and your customers can add photos, which means you can make your profile look just the way you want it just by adding more pictures that you want to represent your brand.

3. Connect with Your Customers Online

When you respond to reviews, it gives your brand more credibility and makes people 1.7 times more likely to buy from your business. Even if you get a not-so-great review, responding shows you're listening and ready to make things better.

• The chat function in Google My Business is a cool way to interact with potential customers and figure out if they're a good fit for your business. You can turn it on and off with just a click, so you're not always online.
• The post function is a nifty way to show off your latest products and services. Whenever your profile pops up in a Google search, potential customers can see your updates.

Setting up a Google My Business profile is a breeze – just head to Google My Business.

Leverage Google Ads

Google Ads is a powerful tool for reaching new customers on various networks:

• Search ads show up when someone is actively looking for products or services like yours.
• Shopping campaigns are awesome if you sell physical products, guiding customers to the exact product they're after.
• Display campaigns get your business in front of people on YouTube, Gmail, and Google's partner sites with images and links.
• Video campaigns are all about video ads that play before someone watches a YouTube video.

Google's "Smart Campaigns" are made for SME businesses and take the guesswork out of setting up ad campaigns.

Free Online Tools to Boost Your Business

Besides Google My Business, there are other free online tools to help your pakihi thrive online:

• Grow with Google offers courses and tools to supercharge your online presence, ramp up online sales, and reach more customers.
• Digital Boost is a free, self-guided online learning platform designed to help your business grow in the digital world.
• Checkable is a website diagnostic tool from Digital Boost that helps you understand your online presence better and identify areas for improvement to make your website even better.

Google Analytics: A Quick Guide

• How Google Analytics Works: An overview of what Google Analytics is and how it functions.
• Setting Up Analytics for Your Website and App: Learn how to set up Google Analytics for your website and/or app. This section provides detailed steps and includes a helpful video tutorial.

For more information on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and other vital digital tools, you can check this out.

Don't miss out on the digital revolution! Use these Google tools to give your pakihi a boost. By improving your online presence and reaching a broader audience, your business can thrive in the digital era.

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