Google Business Profile Websites Discontinuing: What you need to know and How to Adapt
Thursday, January 11, 2024
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Google has announced a major update that will impact many home service businesses: Websites make with Google Business Profiles; those that end with business.site, or are connected with a custom domain, are being phased out. If your business currently uses a Google Business Profile website, it's time to start planning your next steps. In this post I will go over the essential information about the changes and offer strategies to smoothly transition your online presence.
What's Changing With Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile websites, known for their simplicity and integration with Google's Business Profile, will be turned off in March of 2024. What does this mean for your site? Any customer trying to access your site via the website button on your profile (if it's linked) will be redirected back to your google business profile. However, this redirect is only temporary and will only last until June 10, 2024. After this date, visitors will encounter a "page not found" error.
Why The Change?
While Google hasn't specified its reasons, this move suggests a shift towards a more comprehensive and customizable solution, considering the basic nature of Google Business Profile websites.
An additional thought is that only a few profiles took advantage of this free page, and the traffic was good enough to continue to use resources to host these microsites.
There have been minor changes to Google Business Profile, such as adding social links to the contacts tab and how your profile is managed overall in the maps app on mobile and the Google search page on desktop.
Over the coming months, I expect Google to release even more changes and enhancements to give search users a better experience when looking for your services.
Immediate Actions You Need To Take:
To make sure your prospects continue to have a way to learn more about your business and you stay at the top of the local search. The following actions must be taken.
- Update Your Google Business Profile: Make sure your profile is upped with current information, including contact details, social media links, and photos. Your business profile is a critical point of contact for your potential customers.
- Create A New Website: Use another site builder like Clickfunnels to develop a new website. Sure it may be a small investment up front but it will benefit your company ten fold. You will have more control over how your customer interacts with your business and build that coveted list it needs to continue to grow.
- Redirect Your Domain: This is more technical advice. If you have a custom domain name, ensure it redirects to your new website before June 10, 2024 to avoid losing web traffic.
- Update Your Ads Campaign: If your ads are linked to your Google Business Profile website, update them to redirect to your new site before March 1, 2024
Long Term Strategies
Once you take of the above consider these longer term strategies that will keep prospects flowing into your business.
- Invest in a Professional Website: A well-designed website is crucial for online presences. Consider hiring professionals to create a site that reflects your brand and meets your business needs.
- Enhance Your Online Marketing: Diversify your online presence with social media, email marketing, and SEO strategies.
- Monitor Your Online Analytics: Keep track of how these changes affect your web traffic and customer engagement, and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Bringing It All Together With Google Business Profile
While the discontinuation of Google Business Profile Websites might see daunting, it's an opportunity to upgrade and enhance your online presence. By taking proactive steps and exploring new digital marketing strategies, you can ensure that your business not only adapts but thrives in this new landscape.
If you are unsure how to optimize your Google Business Profile for maximum results. I invite you to check out my free guide on the 8 Simple Steps to Get More Leads From Google for Free.
If you want to pay more for your leads, that's your business. If you want to pay less that's mine.
Contact us today to learn how BKXX Marketing can reduce your cost per lead and help you dominate the local market.
