BBB and Google Partner to Get Businesses on the Map

Businesses encouraged to attend in-person BBB workshops for expert help

Being on the map matters. 4 in 5 consumers use search engines to find local information, like store addresses, business hours, product availability and directions.¹ Yet, only 37 percent of businesses have claimed their listing on a search engine.²  And complete business information can help generate economic value to individual communities. In small communities, this could be worth up to +$300k a year; in large cities it can be up to +$7m.³

That’s why Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont and Google have teamed up on Google’s latest program called Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map. Our mission: to help businesses in 30,000 cities get the help they need to succeed online, for free. Because stronger businesses mean stronger communities.

Ready to get started?

Businesses are invited to attend free workshops to get online and on the map. Attendees can look forward to giveaways, dedicated staff to help update business information on the spot, and free food and drinks.

Find a workshop in your area and get your business on the map.

Want to see how your business appears on Google Search and Maps now? Head to www.gybo.com/business and type in your business name to see how your information appears across Google Search and Maps.

The tool highlights suggestions for areas that could use attention, including:

• Address
• Phone number
• Hours of operation
• Photos

Want help updating the information? Attend a BBB workshop to learn how to manage your business info across Google.

We’re excited to be partnering with BBB. By working together, we can help our local businesses succeed on the web and make our communities even stronger.

Written by Whitney Lemon, Google Small Business Engagement. Whitney is a marketing manager on Google’s Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map team. She hosts Friday 15: Small Business Tips, Google’s series to help small businesses succeed online. Friday 15 is part of Google’s Get Your Business Online program, providing small businesses with a custom domain name and web hosting–at no charge for one year.

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Become an Accredited Business and get the resources you need to give you confidence and help keep your business safe and secure. 

¹ Google/Ipsos MediaCT/Purchased, Understanding Consumers’ Local Search Behavior, May 2014

² Marketing Sherpa, Search Marketing Benchmark Report SEO Edition, 2012

³ Google/Oxera, The Benefits of Complete Business Listings, December 2014

Reputation Management for New Businesses

Whether you are a large corporation or a small business of one, managing your reputation should be high on your priority list.  Online reviews, word of mouth and customer opinions can make or break your company. It's important to know what is being said about you and what to do in case a problem arises.  Here are a few tips for managing your reputation.

Act Quickly – Set up Google Alerts about your company and do periodic searches for customer feedback to keep tabs on both praise and criticism.  Don’t just ignore the bad reviews or negative comments, address them quickly and professionally.  Customers want to be heard. If they know you are listening –  and more importantly doing something to address their concerns –  you may keep that business you almost lost.

Recognize the Positive - Let consumers know that you hear and value their praise. Consider featuring positive feedback and/or testimonials on your website to publicly show appreciation for happy customers. Highlighting the relationship shows gratitude while at the same time, builds credibility in your community and with prospective clients.

Take it Offline – Keep an eye on sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and your own website.  If you hear negative comments being made through a social media site, address them privately, if possible.  Email or call the customer to address their concerns and see what you can do to make things better.  They will appreciate the personal touch and you will save yourself from getting into a potential online battle.

Follow Up – Once a concern has been addressed, make sure to follow up with the customer to ensure they are still happy.  This could involve a simple phone call or email, or perhaps offer a coupon or discount on services.  This will confirm you are continuously working to please your clients and that you do not forget about them even when things are going well.

Take the High Road – Remember you cannot please everyone all the time. Address an unhappy customer's concerns and attempt to fix the problem to their satisfaction. If they are still not pleased, offer an apology, remain polite and professional and do your best to leave the situation in a positive light.

Are you a rising new business less than a year old? Becoming part of the New Business Sponsor Program will help you build and maintain a strong reputation.

For more information you can trust, visit us a bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Written by: Adam Koncius, Koncius Digital Marketing

The Importance of Knowing your Competition

It’s a competitive world and nowadays there are more options than ever for consumers.  As a small business owner it is important to know who you are up against and what you can do to stay competitive in the market.  The best way to accomplish this is to know who your competition is and what they are doing.  Here are a few tips on how to stay in the know.

Use the Internet – Set up Google alerts and search for keywords that relate to your industry – or specific competitors – as well as your own company.  You will be kept informed anytime someone pops up in the news.  Also, use social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to see what customers and the general public are saying.  

Look within the Business – Check out the competition's website to see how they are marketing themselves.  Research who they have on staff and if they are hiring for any new positions. This will tell you how big the company is and what resources they have to run their business.  If they are hiring, you can examine the request and see who they are looking to bring on and for what purpose.  This also allows you to see what benefits and salaries they are offering so you can stay competitive.  

Ask your Clients – One of your best resources for learning about your competition is your customers.  Talk to them about who they have worked with in the past and what they liked and disliked about them, as well as what they are looking for in your business. Likewise, do this if you happen to lose a customer.  You want to know why they may choose to look elsewhere – better pricing, friendlier service, etc – and improve for next time.

Are you a rising new business less than a year old? Becoming part of the New Business Sponsor Program will provide you with the tools you need to keep a leg up on the competition. 

For more information you can trust, visit us at bbb.org/boston, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Written by: Adam Koncius, Koncius Digital Marketing