Should I direct people to my website or my Google Business Profile?

Short Answer: You should direct people to your Google Business Profile (GMB) rather than your website. This can be done through Google Maps or Google Search, which are primary sources where customers find businesses.

Full Explanation

Your Google Business Profile plays a crucial role in how customers discover your business online. Instead of sending customers directly to your website, directing them to your GMB is more effective because Google provides clear insights on how customers are finding you. Your GMB dashboard shows what percentage of customers come from Google Maps and what percentage come from Google Search. These platforms are where customers often initiate their search, making your GMB a central hub for customer engagement.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Leverage Google Maps: Directing customers to your business profile on Google Maps allows them to easily find location information, reviews, and contact details.
Utilize Google Search: When customers search for your business directly on Google Search, your Google Business Profile page provides immediate and relevant business details.
Review Customer Insights: Your GMB dashboard shows analytics indicating what percentage of customers found you through Maps versus Search, helping you understand where to focus your marketing efforts.

Real Examples

When potential customers look up your business, they commonly discover you via the map listings or search results on Google. Directing them to your Google Business Profile ensures they get accurate and accessible information about your business location, hours, and reviews without needing to navigate through your website. This facilitates easier and quicker customer engagement.

Common Mistakes

Sending all traffic only to your website, missing out on valuable exposure your GMB offers.
Overlooking the importance of Google Maps and Search as customer sources for business discovery.
Not monitoring your GMB analytics to understand where your customers come from.

FAQs

Why should I direct people to my Google Business Profile instead of my website?

Because Google Business Profile is where many customers first find your business via Maps or Search and it offers centralized, easy-to-access information.

Can I use both Google Maps and Google Search to direct traffic to my GMB?

Yes, both Google Maps and Google Search are effective platforms for directing traffic to your Google Business Profile.

Does Google Business Profile provide data on customer sources?

Yes, the GMB dashboard shows what portion of your customers come from Google Maps versus Google Search.

Key Takeaways

Directing people to your Google Business Profile is more effective than pointing them to your website alone.
Google Maps and Google Search are two key sources through which customers find your business profile.
Your GMB dashboard provides insights into the percentage of customers coming from the map and search listings.