Did you know that over 46% of Google searches have local intent? Google increasingly emphasizes “local businesses,” showing prominent results from nearby businesses on Google Maps, Google Search, and Google Hotel Ads.
To significantly improve your Google ranking, appear on Google Maps, and boost your direct bookings, it’s essential to have a professional, fully optimized Google My Business profile for your accommodations.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business Lets you create a complete listing for your property, showcasing essential and visually appealing information. This increases your visibility in local Google searches and makes it easier for potential guests to find you.
The main purpose of Google My Business is to enhance your business’s visibility and enable customers to contact you directly, either to request information or make a direct booking.
How will my business look in Google searches?
Exact searches for your business: Your listing will appear with photos, address, phone number, opening hours, and reviews.
General or category searches: Google displays featured local results for relevant listings, increasing your visibility compared to competitors.
Google Maps: Your listing appears on Google Maps, both on the web and in the mobile app, making it easy for customers to find your location.
Google My Business Features and Capabilities
Post Photos and Offers:
Share professional images of your properties and post special promotions or discounts to attract more guests.Direct Sales:
Add direct links to your website or booking engine (such as AvaiBook) so customers can book without intermediaries.
If you use Google Hotel Ads, your rates and availability will be displayed directly on Google, further boosting direct bookings.Geo-Location:
Allow visitors to get directions to your property with a single click from Google Maps.Metrics and Analytics:
- Access valuable data about visits to your listing, search queries that lead customers to you, and potential guest behavior.
- These insights help you optimize your campaigns and enhance the user experience.
Mobile Management:
The Google Business Profile app (available for Android and iOS) lets you update photos, respond to reviews, and post offers from anywhere, keeping your listing always up to date.
How to Create Your Listing on Google My Business
Sign in to Google My Business (Google Business Profile).
Enter the basic details of your property, including name, address, category, and phone number.
Verify your location by following Google’s instructions. Verification can be done by post, phone, or email.
Once verified, your listing will be published and visible to potential customers.
Optimize your listing by adding:
High-quality photos of your property and surroundings
A full description with relevant keywords
Hours of operation and available services
Responses to customer reviews to build and improve your reputation
To create a business listing on Google My Business, you need a Google account
How to Link Google My Business with AvaiBook
One of the main benefits of having a listing on Google My Business is direct bookings. You can give your customers the opportunity to book directly by adding a link to your website or your AvaiBook booking engine.
Options based on your setup:
If you already have a website with an integrated AvaiBook booking engine:
Simply add your website link in the “Website” field of your Google My Business listing.
This allows any customer who finds your listing on Google to access your booking engine directly and complete their reservation.
2. If you have a website but haven’t integrated the AvaiBook booking engine yet:
We recommend integrating it, as this will save you time on booking management, increase direct bookings, and enhance your customers’ experience.
Once integrated, add your website link in the “Website” field of your Google My Business listing.
3. If you don’t have a website:
You can use the direct link from your AvaiBook booking engine.
Simply copy the link and paste it into the “Website” field of your Google My Business listing, allowing customers to book directly from Google.
Benefits of this integration
Increase the visibility of your direct bookings channel
Make it easy for customers to book without intermediaries
Optimize the user experience and reduce manual booking management
Boost your Google ranking and enhance your online reputation
Additional Recommendations
Post special offers and promotions in the “Posts” section of Google My Business
Always respond to reviews to improve how customers perceive your business
Optimize local keywords in your listing description to appear in relevant searches
With a complete, up-to-date, and fully optimized listing, your property will not only increase visibility, but also boost direct bookings and enhance the guest experience from the very first Google search.