Google renamed Google My Business to Google Business Profile to streamline and simplify the way businesses manage their online presence, upgrading the tool with valuable features that make life easy for estate agents as well as other businesses. 

Google said it chose the new name because “it keeps things simple” and makes it easier for users to understand what they're doing when they interact with Google's tools.

Google Business Profile becomes the universal functional tool 

Google listings are so important for businesses today that it's hard to imagine a time when they weren't an essential part of our marketing strategy. But only a few years ago, most businesses didn't even have a website. Now? A Google listing generates 28 times more contacts than a website!

So what changed? Why are we so obsessed with getting businesses listed on Google Business Profile? We see it as an opportunity to scale and move up your estate agency for many reasons. 

If you're still not convinced that your business needs a listing on Google Business Profile or not aware of its new potential, we have some great insights on Local SEO to share with you. Read on…

A solution to overcome ‘no click searches’ 

When you search on Google, the results page is a treasure trove of information. You can find answers to questions you didn't even know you had, and sometimes even find yourself clicking on links that take you to websites that have nothing to do with what you were looking for! 

But what if we told you that most people aren't clicking on anything at all? According to a recent study, 65% of searches made on Google were "No-Click Searches." That is to say, searches that do not generate a click elsewhere than on Google tools (such as a Google My Business listing for example) and for which the Internet user, therefore, stops at the search results page!

This statistic is not surprising at all. In fact, it's quite logical.

The reason for this? It's all about convenience. Customers don't want to be bothered with going somewhere else to find what they're looking for. 

They just want answers now, and if those answers happen to be right there in front of them, why would they bother leaving? It means that more people will get more information faster and easier than ever before.

New Google Business Profile upgrades will step up estate agency businesses

Manage GMB profile directly 

If you're one of those people who would prefer to manage your Google My Business profile directly from Google search, the latest update is going to make your life a lot easier.

The new and improved way to access your profile is by simply clicking on the "Manage this profile" link that appears at the bottom of the SERP. This pulls up all of your information, including reviews and photos, right in Google search—no navigating required!

Chat with customers 

  If you are an estate agent, and have been using Google My Business to manage your online presence, you might have noticed that there is a chat option on the desktop dashboard. This is great if you are in front of your computer, but what about those moments when you are away from the desk? 

There may be times when you are outside or on the move and a customer needs quick answers to their question. In the past, this would have meant having to wait until you were back at your desk. 

But now with the introduction of Chat on Google Maps, estate agents can respond to messages from customers no matter where they are or what they are doing. 

Estate agents’ key takeaways from Google Business Profile:

• View star ratings and respond to reviews quickly
• Create Google posts instantly and market special offers
• Check insights and metrics
• Update your GMB with the latest information

Great results for estate agents 

Our team of experts have helped estate agency businesses across the UK get more leads, grow in sales and increase ROI. 

July 2022 has been fantastic! Here are a few results we are proud of: 

Robinson Jackson

Total valuation leads from Local SEO - 64

Cost per lead valuation - £10.65

Total calls - 2560

Collinson Hall

Total Valuation Leads from Local SEO - 3

Cost per lead valuation - £26.66 

Total Leads from Local SEO (including phone calls) - 243

Total Calls - 201

Preston Baker 

Total valuation leads from Local SEO - 10

Cost per valuation leads - £64.00

Total calls - 919

Why not get in touch with us to learn more about how it helps estate agents get more leads?