Get the Most Out of Google Q&A for Your Small Business

Have you heard about Google QA? It’s an awesome feature that can benefit your small business in a big way. Let’s dive into how you can make the most of it!

First things first, what is Google QA? Well, it’s a platform where people can ask questions about your business, and you or others can provide answers. It’s a great way to engage with potential customers and address any concerns they may have.

So, how can you use Google QA to your advantage? Here are a few tips:

1. Be proactive: Don’t wait for questions to come in. Take the initiative and ask yourself relevant questions that customers may have. This way, when potential customers visit your Google listing, they’ll already have helpful information at their fingertips.

2. Provide accurate and detailed answers: When answering questions, be sure to give as much information as possible. This will not only help the person who asked the question but also future visitors who may have the same query. Remember, your answers reflect your business, so make a great impression!

3. Respond in a timely manner: It’s important to be prompt when responding to questions. People appreciate timely answers, and it shows that you value their inquiries. So, keep an eye on your Google QA section and try to respond as soon as possible.

4. Encourage customer participation: Don’t be afraid to ask your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews or answer questions on your behalf. Their positive experiences can go a long way in building trust and credibility for your business.

5. Monitor and moderate: Check your Google QA regularly to ensure that all questions and answers are appropriate and aligned with your business values. If you come across any spam or irrelevant content, make sure to remove or report it.

Remember, Google QA is a powerful tool that can help you engage with potential customers and enhance your online presence. By being proactive, providing detailed answers, responding promptly, and encouraging customer participation, you can make the most of this feature and boost your small business!

So, what are you waiting for? Start making the most of Google QA today and watch your business thrive!

Have you noticed something new on your Google My Business listing?

I’m talking about those listings that businesses like yours can have for free on the internet. They’re super important, especially for local small businesses like yours.

So here’s the deal: Google has added a cool new feature to these listings called the QA section. It was introduced at the end of 2017 and is now fully available. And guess what? It’s right below all the important info about your business in what they call the Knowledge Panel.

Basically, if people have asked questions about your business on Google, whether they’re good or bad, they’ll show up in this section. It’s a great way to see what people are curious about. You’ll also be able to check if you’ve been asked a question and haven’t answered, and you’ll even see what other customers are saying in response to those questions.

So, I heard from this reputation management expert, Mike Blumenthal, who knows a lot about this stuff, that the smartest move for your small business is to be proactive with this new section. Basically, that means you should be asking and answering questions about your business.

The Lowdown on Google Questions and Answers for Small Businesses

Okay, so here’s the deal. The Google QA section is part of your Knowledge Panel. You know, that handy Google My Business listing that shows up when people search for your business. It’s got all the important info about you. If you’ve already signed up for a Google local business listing, then you know what I’m talking about. If not, you should definitely check it out and make sure all the info is correct.

What does this mean for you?

So here’s the thing, I was talking to this guy Blumenthal, and he said something pretty interesting. He was saying that if you have a business, Google actually lets you ask and answer your own questions. Cool, right?

Now, these questions can be about anything you want. Maybe you need to give special directions to your store or let people know about your special holiday hours. Or maybe you want to answer questions about certain products or brands that you have. It’s up to you!

Here’s the catch though. If you don’t ask these questions yourself, someone else will. And guess what? Right now, Google will fill in the teaser section on your Knowledge Panel with those questions instead of yours. Not cool.

You can’t rely on just anyone to ask the questions that you want answered. You’ve gotta take matters into your own hands.

Imagine this: a local business listing. Now, let’s talk about a company that hasn’t really used the new Google My Business feature. But wait! If you’re curious about the questions asked about this pizza shop, I’ve got some info for you. (Oh, we’ve blocked out the name to keep things fair, but trust me, their pizza is amazing!)

Do you want people to see that kind of image on your Google My Business listing? I don’t think so!

Let me show you an example from Blumenthal’s Big Guide on the brand new QA section. If you’re smart and use it wisely, your listing will look amazing. Take a look at this image from GetFiveStars.com!

Guess what? I found something really interesting to share with you! So, there’s this business owner named Barbara. She filled in her own questions and even answered them herself. How cool is that?

Let’s Talk Reputation Management

Now, here’s a not-so-great example. Some business owners out there haven’t even bothered to take control of their listings. Can you believe it? That means they’re missing out on answering their customers’ questions.

But you know what? I’ve got a little secret to share with you. If you want to stay ahead of the game and show Google that you’re on top of things, you need to respond to those questions your visitors have. And guess what? There’s this awesome tool from Blumenthal’s company, GetFiveStars.com, that can help you manage the QA section and other websites where people review your company. How cool is that?