Google Business Profile (GBP/GMB)
What is a GBP?
When you need to find something, where’s the first place you look? The answer for most of your audience is Google. Over 90% of your center’s target audience (Millennials, Older Gen Z) starts their research on Google.
GBP or GMB stands for Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business). Creating and properly maintaining a business profile on Google allows your center to stand out and reach more of your community on products such as Google Maps and Search. Your GBP is the immediate first impression parents receive of your center. Your goal is to make it a good one!
What information is in a GBP?
With a Google Business Profile, your center can provide accurate information online about your hours, holidays, location, contact information, and a link to the center’s website. This is a great way to interact with families by posting photos of your center and responding to reviews.
If families in your community were to search for childcare or preschools in the area or, even specifically, your center, what would you want them to see? Would what they see make them want to book a tour of your center, or would the lack of information or bad reviews turn them away? When creating the center’s profile, these are critical questions to ask yourself to know you are providing accurate and substantial information to your prospective families.
How to Maintain Your Center’s Profile
After the initial setup of your center’s profile in Google, we recommend you create a checklist of tasks needed to maintain accuracy and to ensure the content remains up-to-date. For instance, if your center is in an area with noticeable season changes, be sure the photos and media in the profile are recent and of this season. Parents want to see centers that care for the quality of the information they’re posting about their center.
Proper maintenance of your center’s GBP is critical. From posting updates and photos, to responding to reviews, you want to put your best foot forward. Having an up-to-date and accurate GBP can only help your center by providing your prospective families with meaningful insight into all the amazing experiences you offer young children.
