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In this week’s blog, find out how to make Google work for you. SEO, Google My Business and Google Reviews are all useful tools for promoting your venue hire but are you using these Google features to your advantage?
Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO – Most of the online traffic is driven by search engines and with Google being the most widely used search engine, it’s key you get yourself to the top of that search list. Although GoogleAds are an option, the first step you can take to make yourself more visible online is to improve your SEO. You can do this by ensuring you have included keywords in your titles and meta descriptions, within your community-facing website (integrated with BookingsPlus). Check out the key elements that will effect your website’s search ranking, demonstrating which areas would be most worthy to focus on. You’ll see that the bulk of the elements are Keywords alongside Compelling Content – check out our blog, Maximising your Content, for more tips.
Google My Business – This is a tool that allows you to manage your business profile on Google. First you will need to register your venue on Google My Business. This will ensure your venue is listed on Google maps, and also allows you to list your services and receive Google reviews. Once you are listed on Google My Business, you also gain access to their ‘Marketing kit’ which helps you to create free marketing material to promote your business offline as well as online. You can customise your materials with details form your Business Profile and download print-ready posters, window stickers, social media posts and more. Registering for Google My Business is free and simple and enables anyone searching for facilities or activities in your area to be referred to you from a reputable site.
Our top tip: List your lettings business separately to your main school site so that people searching for ‘facilities for hire’ can find you more easily/directly.
Google Reviews – Reviews are essential for attracting new clients. Encourage your hirers and users of your facilities to leave a positive review on Google – did you know, 85% of consumers claim to put as much faith in online reviews as they do in recommendations from friends? You may be worried about receiving a negative review – don’t. It’s how you respond that’s important. In this instance, always reply to the reviewer openly apologising for their experience, the ask to take the conversation offline where you can investigate and respond. This way, those reading your reviews will know you take complaints seriously and that you will respond in a timely and professional manner.
Our tip tip: Openly asking customers to leave reviews shows confidence in the service you are delivering and the facilities you are offering. Use your social media accounts to openly request reviews from your hirers and users by posting a direct link to Google Reviews, in your social media posts.
Take a look back at last week’s Tip 3 – Increasing Engagement.
Interested in working together? Get in touch with Domenico Forgione, Business Development Manager, to discuss your specific lettings needs, find out about our marketing offer or any of our other lettings services.
