Ah, the coveted first page on Google.
It’s so desirable, that phrase has become a buzzword.
Showing up on the first page of a relevant Google search is like a treasure marketers are pursuing, no matter how hard the task may be. After all, Google is a global search giant. Appearing first might seem like an impossible task, but Google has given us ways to promote our businesses and everyone has a chance at that top spot.
With consumers now relying on Google to research brands and products before making any purchases, it’s extremely important for businesses to have a website and leverage Google’s promotion tools.
We can help you get started. Read on for 3 simple ways to promote your business on Google.
1. Google My Business
The picture above is what we call a “local pack,” and the businesses listed below the map are the Google My Business listings. This is the easiest way to show up on Google, so if you don’t have a Google My Business listing, do it now! Setting up a business profile on Google My Business is free, so no excuses. You can get started by clicking on this link: https://www.google.com/business/
Google My Business allows you to share links, photos, reviews, maps, and promotions with the right customers at the right times. These posts are public, so actively searching consumers can find your business right away.
Remember that your job doesn’t end with posting once. You have to constantly update your profile to keep your business active and engaging for consumers.
2. Google Ads – How to Advertise On google
I’m sure you’ve noticed that there’s usually a separation for ads on the results page of Google. Ads are the first thing that pop up on the page after you search for something. That means if you want a guaranteed spot on the first page of a relevant Google search, you can get it, but you have to pay for it.
Advertising on Google is more expensive than other forms of digital advertising, such as on Facebook or YouTube, but there’s a major difference. Google is great for small businesses because it’s a platform full of consumers who are actively looking to purchase. The waiting time between getting a lead and making a sale is shorter because when people are searching on Google, their intent is usually to buy.
It’s harder to get leads on Facebook because it has a different buying environment and the intent just isn’t there. If you want better leads, choose Google Ads.
Google Ads is self-serve and uses keyword-based advertising that’s on a cost-per-click basis. This means that you only pay when a user clicks on your ad and visits your website.
Sounds great, right?
The thing is, Google is expensive, and not every ad works. If you don’t have any experience in Google advertising, chances are you will lose money on ineffective ads. Do yourself a favor and reach out to a digital marketing agency experienced in Google Ads before you dive in. Leverage their experience so you don’t waste your money.
3. Search Engine Optimization
Another way to promote your business on Google is to make use of search engine optimization, or SEO. This requires you to add relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and meta tags on your website. It’s essential that you optimize every page on your website. 
Look at the screenshot above. The words in blue are your title, below the URL is your meta description, and the words below that are your meta tags. When creating your title, use keywords that are relevant to your business. You should also use these keywords in your meta description, where you’ll elaborate on your title keywords and give visitors an idea of what they’ll find on your site.
Regularly adding content to your website (such as a blog) and optimizing those pages with new keywords is a great way to improve your SEO. Another way is to get links that go back to your website. These are called backlinks, and to Google, they help legitimize your site as a good source of information.
SEO is a good investment, especially in the long run. It’s one of the best ways you can generate traffic to your website. Unlike ads, if you invest in SEO, the website traffic will keep coming – it’s not dependent on you spending money on ads.
However, keep in mind that it is a large investment in your time. Learning SEO best practices, figuring out the keywords to optimize for, implementing it all, and then tweaking until you get it right, plus maintenance, is a lot of work. If your time is money, we recommend finding an expert (that’s us) to help you get this SEO thing right.
BONUS: Google Analytics
What’s the point of using the tools above if you’re not able to measure the results? That’s where Google Analytics steps in.
It’s important for marketers and business owners to know that their marketing efforts are not being wasted, and Google Analytics measures all of your success.
It’s a free system that allows you to track sales, conversions, and measure your site engagement goals. Google Analytics will help you perfect your marketing strategy, because once you know who is coming to your site, where they’re coming from, what they’re looking for, and which ads and keywords worked for your business, you’ll be able to tweak your strategy for success.
In conclusion…
For most small business owners, Google is a mammoth they know they have to tackle, but they don’t even know where to get started. Step 1 is definitely Google My Business. It’s easy and it helps a lot. After that, you’ll have to decide whether you want to dive into SEO or Google Ads (or both).
Whatever you decide, if you get overwhelmed, make sure you give us a call at 424-210-7128 or use our contact form to get in touch with us. We’ve helped tons of small businesses navigate these very things to find massive success, and we can help you too!