When you operate a service-related business, you’re always looking for new customers who can, in turn, become long-standing, loyal customers that come back to you time after time and refer others to you as well. If you’re an HVAC professional, roofer, remodeler, or window expert, you know exactly what we mean. Of course, you’re often so busy doing your actual job that marketing can play second fiddle. But, it doesn’t have to! Google My Business Questions and Answers for home service contractors is a great place to start winning new business and getting the word out about the products and services you offer. With this in mind, let’s dive into a few ways Google My Business Questions and Answers can help you attract new customers.
What are Google My Business Questions & Answers?
Let’s start from the beginning. Google My Business is a platform whereby you can receive reviews and feedback about your business while simultaneously boosting your possibilities of appearing on Google Search and Maps when people look for the services you provide. The premise is simple: set up an account, fill out your profile, and let people in your area know you’re available for work.
The platform includes a question and answer section, which can be fruitful for a number of reasons. In this section, customers can ask questions about your business, and you can answer the person inquiring in a public forum so others can also learn from the knowledge you’re sharing. Think of it as a section that’s similar to the ‘Customer Questions and Answers’ section you might see when you visit Amazon to purchase products.
Here’s the thing: Google My Business Questions and Answers provides user-generated content. This is an awesome way to fill Google’s algorithmic cup up because it’s always looking for content that people find valuable and useful. The more buy-in you have from your audience, the more likely it is that Google will favor your brand when people search for services you offer. User-generated content is very compelling when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO) because it’s not created by your company; it’s created by the people who have purchased from you or are considering purchasing from you in the future.
Your Q&A section will allow people to quickly review information about your company directly from their Google results pages, rather than forcing them to click through your website to glean the information they need. And, since Google’s ultimate goal is to give people the information they need as quickly as possible (and with as few clicks as possible) the search giant will likely reward this kind of up-front information by way of higher ranks in its search engine results pages (SERPs).
Google My Business Questions and Answers for Home Service Contractors: How You Can Leverage User-Generated Content to Increase Local Reach
Now that you know a little more about what Google My Business Q&A is, let’s dive into ways you can use this section of the platform to attract new customers.
1. Seed Your Own Questions and Answers
You don’t have to wait for people to ask you questions; you can actually seed your Q&A section with questions that people ask you often or with information you simply want people to know about. Think about all the times you answer the phone and get the same question over and over or those emails that feel like people will never stop asking for the same information. You can use Google My Business’s Q&A section to help dispel the mysteries around your company and answer these commonly asked questions in a public place. Not only does this help get more people the information they need about your company, but it also helps cut down on administrative duties you and your staff are tasked with dealing with each day. In other words, it’s a win-win.
Focus on questions that actually assist your future customers. You don’t need to worry about researching keywords for this section, but if you answer questions as they specifically relate to your business, the keywords will likely come naturally. Also, you don’t need to throw all of your questions on your Q&A section at one time. Bear in mind that Google loves to see fresh, new content on a regular basis, so if you plan to incorporate new frequently asked questions consistently over a few weeks, the search engine’s algorithm will appreciate the fact that your GMB page is constantly being updated.
2. Stay on Top of the Questions & Answers Appearing on Your GMB Profile
One thing to keep in mind is that anyone can answer questions about your business—not just you or your staff members. As such, it’s vital to stay on top of this section to ensure that visitors and question-askers are getting the most accurate information straight from the source. Otherwise, they could get incorrect information that will likely lead to frustration and negative experiences with your brand down the line.
When you stay on top of your Questions and Answers section, you’ll be able to immediately address questions and concerns, ensuring only the most correct and up-to-date information is given to viewers. Being proactive in this way also allows you to see what sort of information might be helpful to write about in blogs, social media posts, and landing pages so you can get the most mileage out of the feedback you receive from people who are interested in your services.
As the admin of your Google My Business page, you should get an email alert every time someone submits a new question or answer. Don’t ignore these emails! Staying on top of new inquiries and answers gives you the chance to appropriately address questions and concerns while also delivering great calls to action. Questions that remain unanswered can reflect poorly on your brand, and future customers may take that as a sign that you’re not really interested in providing top-of-the-line customer service.
3. Create Interesting Answers
Your answers should be succinct, clear, and complete. If someone asks you the cost of something, don’t just answer with what you’d quote them; invite them to call your company or visit your website to set up an initial consultation or schedule an appointment to have the service completed. If someone asks a yes-or-no question, don’t just answer with a one-word response; you want to be succinct, but not that succinct. Instead, answer yes or no, then follow up with hours you’re available, areas you service, or other details that might help push them further into the sales funnel. You don’t need to include your phone number or website in the answers section, though, because that information will be available directly from your Google My Business profile page.
4. Upvote
Upvotes are helpful in getting questions or answers displayed prominently on your Google My Business page. Usually, a question takes three upvotes to appear, while answers take two upvotes. Questions with the most upvotes are sent to the top of the list of questions; the same goes for answers. While multiple answers can show for each question, Google does the work to determine which answers have the most upvotes and places those answers above all others.
5. Don’t Ignore Unflattering or Inaccurate Questions & Answers
Things happen, and sometimes, you might end up with a bad question or an answer that shows negative light towards your organization. If you’re monitoring the email notifications you receive, you should be able to concoct a positive reply quickly. Think of this the same way you’d respond to negative reviews. (which we hope you’re doing, too!); remember, people are looking to see how you handle situations just as much as they’re looking for information about your services. If you let negative comments and misinformation hang out online, you’re setting yourself up for a recipe for disaster.
Partner with the Leading Local Marketing Software Company
Whether you’re an HVAC pro, roofer, remodeler, general contractor, or other home service provider, you’re always on the hunt for new customers. Google My Business Questions and Answers for home service contractors is one of the most untapped (and free!) resources available online. If you need help getting people to go through your sales funnel—or even getting started by attracting new leads—we can help! Our team of local marketing experts is here to help you streamline and automate your digital marketing strategies so you keep customers coming and revenue flowing. We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule your free demo!