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3.0 Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. The strategy here is to have your business, services and information appear ahead of all the other organic listings when a potential guest searches for your brand name or listing. Setting up a Google Business Profile provides Google with all the information it needs to display your direct stay listing to guests. Once a guest searches for your brand, they will have a direct link and all the information they need to complete a direct stay or contact you directly.
With Google Business Profile, there are two strategies. You can either list your brand as a property management company or create a Google Business Profile for each individual listing under the same brand name. For example, “Berry Mountainview Stays” if creating a profile for a property management company or “North River Cabin (Berry Mountainview Stays)” if creating a profile for an individual listing.
Note 1: Individual listings on Google Business Profile listings fall into a gray area. This option is technically reserved for hotels or accommodation that feature 24-hour service. The reasoning behind this is that Google wants to prevent casual hosts from listing their apartments or avoid having a traveler knock on a door while the location is occupied by a guest.
Note 2: Google is in the process of launching Google Travel, which will eventually be a third-party booking channel with filters for vacation rentals. Currently, only partnered PMSs or channel managers enable properties to be listed on Google Travel.
3.1 How to create a Google Business Profile
Getting started with a Google Business Profile account is quick and easy. Follow the steps below:
- Go to Google Business Profile and click “Manage Now”
- Sign in with the Google account you use for your business (or create a new account)
- Add your “Property Name” followed by your “Business Name”. For example, “North River Cabin (Berry Mountainview stays)”
- Select “Retail Store”
- For your business category, choose “Property Management Company”
- Add your business address. Please note that this address will appear on Google Maps
- Add your business phone number and Dtravel Merchant page as your website
- Click “Finish”
- Google will ask to verify your account by sending a letter containing a code to your business address within 13 days
- You can repeat this step for each one of your listings
- Add the services you offer to your clients (e.g. cleaning or airport pickup)
- Add hours (open everyday)
- Add listing description
- Add high-quality photos
3.2 How to optimize your Google Business Profile
Once verified, check to make sure all possible information is filled.
- Add high-quality photos for each property listing
- Fill out the description and empty fields for each list
3.3 How to optimize your Google Business Profile with Reviews
Your properties will gain more visibility with Google reviews. You can add a unique link for each of your listings to check out emails by visiting here.