Geoff Langdon
Head of Marketing Services
Have you ever wondered how to improve the way your auction house appears on Google Maps or at the top of a search results page?
This is a Google Business listing (formerly known as Google My Business) and it can really make a positive impact on your auction house’s visibility on search result pages.
In this article, we’ll explain what Google Business listings are and how they can benefit your auction house.
What are Google Business listings?
A Google Business listing is an online profile that businesses can create on Google to help customers find them. It includes basic information about the business such as the business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation and photographs.
The listing will appear on certain searches, usually triggered by the name of a company or a strong keyword related to the business. They appear very prominently on the search results page, near the top on a mobile, or on the right hand side on the desktop view.
Creating a listing is completely free, and once set up is easy to maintain and update.
What are the benefits of having a Google Business listing for your auction house?
Now that you know what a Google Business listing is, let’s talk about some of the benefits of having one.
1. Increased visibility to potential customers
When you create a Google Business listing for your auction house, you’ll be more likely to appear in Google search results when potential vendors and bidders search for auction houses in their area.
This increased visibility can lead to more interest and ultimately more bidders and consignments for your auctions.
2. Build trust and credibility
Having a Google Business listing with positive reviews and ratings can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
It shows that your auction house is legitimate and has a good reputation in the community.
If a negative review is added to your profile, the best approach is to reply, ensuring you are professional, considerate and approachable. All replies are visible to the public; replying in the right way to a negative comment can further reinforce credibility. Never ignore a negative review.
3. Connect with vendors and bidders in a personal way
A Google Business listing allows you to connect with vendors and bidders in a more personal way. You can respond to questions and enquiries, post updates about upcoming auctions, and even share photos of upcoming and past auction lots.
This helps potential customers feel more connected to your auction house and can lead to increased interest in your auction and valuation services.
4. Monitor your online presence
Google Business listings come with insights and analytics that can help you monitor your auction house’s online presence.
You can see how many people are viewing your listing, what keywords they’re searching for to find your business, and even how many people are clicking through to your website.
This can help you make informed decisions about your online marketing strategy.
5. Be competitive
If your auction house doesn’t have a Google Business listing, you’re missing out on potential new vendors and bidders.
By creating one, you’ll stand out from competitors who don’t have one, making it easier for new customers to find you, and ultimately participate in your auctions and valuation days.
Why do reviews on Google Business matter and how can we get more?
Reviews play an important role in the decision making process. The more positive reviews and ratings, the stronger your business will look to potential customers.
To help build up positive reviews, we would recommend putting together a review acquisition strategy and setting goals. Your strategy could be adding a link to your email signatures or sending out a post-sale or service email to encourage reviews.
By putting in place new ways to request reviews, your business will have more chances of gaining new reviews organically.
Remember to set a target of the number of reviews you would like to achieve. This will focus your efforts and help measure your business’s improvements.
Take the next step
A Google Business listing is a free and easy way for auction houses to increase their online visibility and build trust.
By taking the time to create a Google Business listing, you’ll be able to connect with vendors and bidders in a more personal way, monitor your online presence and stand out from competitors.
If you own an auction house and haven’t created a Google Business listing yet, what are you waiting for? Create one today, or get in touch with by emailing Geoff to find out how we can help.