More threads by Linda Buquet

Linda Buquet

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Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Hang onto your seats for the biggest Google Local update ever!


<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/GoogleMyBusinessNEW.jpg" alt="GoogleMyBusinessNEW" width="50%" />

Google “My Business" Launches Today!


This launch signifies a major investment in local businesses, and stabilizes the Google local business foundation for the future. (See screenshots and key features below.)

This launch is the biggest business-owner-facing launch in Google Local history and is rolling out globally today. Will span 236 countries/regions and be available in 65 languages.

WHEN??? This will be a fast rollout, not phased. Many (most?) of you will get it today! The new product will be available on desktop as well as mobile. The Android app I think is ready and iOS app should be soon.


Goal & Key Points

.:. Everything is rebranded "My Business" (GMB for short). That will be the name going forward.
(Forever I hope! I sure don't want to have to change my entire site & training again!)

.:. Unified Dashboard - ONE front door and one dashboard for everything, single sign-up and seamless navigation across all of Google’s business services.

.:. Google really wants to empower businesses to succeed in mobile & social world and wants My Business to be the business owner’s information hub.

When I got my first demo of the product over 2 months ago, I was so encouraged when I saw the big picture that Google had in store for us. But then when Google upgraded my account last week, so I could start working with “GMB”, I was amazed at how seamless and functional it is. I was truly impressed at how much of our feedback and suggestions over the past 3 years have been integrated. It’s really everything we’ve been wanting and more! Heartfelt thank you to the Google team!


Screenshot of Top of "My Business" Dashboard

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/GMBdash.jpg" alt="GoogleMyBusinessDashboard" width="85%" />​


One of the features I love, you can see above. You can post to Google+ from right inside the same dashboard where you respond to reviews, check stats and do everything else.

More new features below. But 1st, here is a screenshot of the App Switcher. (Top right in dashboard)

Google My Business App Switcher

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/AppSwitcher.jpg" alt="GoogleMyBusinessAppSwitcher" width="35%" />​


Now let’s take a look at more cool upgrades.

KEY CHANGES & NEW FEATURES

  • New Landing page: google.com/mybusiness
  • NOTE: This is for G+ Local Dashboards AND G+ Business pages. All the same platform!
  • In dashboard, app switcher is in top-right corner
  • Profile completion bar with explicit calls to action
  • Better in-product messaging and call to action prompts
Business Info editor:
  • List of things to complete
  • Specific fields open up dedicated boxes, like contact info
  • Links out to Help Center content
  • Other options at bottom of dashboard (Remove listing, report problems, get help)
  • HOT! View business on Google gives preview of business info:
    1) In Google Search (With knowledge graph)
    2) In Google Maps
    3) On Google+
Reviews
  • See reviews from Google and around the Web
  • Responding to reviews is available in-dash
  • Reviews analytics are available
Insights
  • Visibility (Views & clicks)
  • Engagement (Posts, actions)
  • Audience (Who is engaging with you?)
What about chains or bulk upload users?
The Places Bulk Upload Tool is now Google My Business Locations. Through the new tool, businesses or agencies can manage information for ten or more locations. Google is working hard to launch new functionalities in the future, including increased upload speed and social integration.


LINKS TO OFFICIAL GOOGLE RESOURCES


Official Google Launch Announcement

NEW! Video Demo from Google: <a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/19167-google-my-business-demo-q-jade-video.html">Google My Business Demo and Q & A with Jade - Video is Live</a>

New Help Docs: Google My Business Support

FAQ: <a href="https://www.google.com/business/faq.html">Google My Business</a>

New Landing Page: Google My Business


UPDATE 6/24: <a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/19491-google-my-business-now-available-ios-well.html">Google My Business Now Available on iOS as well as Android</a>

Google My Business Launch Video

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LCzri4tXuF0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>​


STAY TUNED for more info & updates, other posts about the launch and answers to your questions.


What do you think? Are you Excited???


<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/GMBnews.jpg" alt="GMBnews" width="85%" />​


Related Posts
Sharing other blog posts and news stories as I find them here!​

<a href="http://blumenthals.com/blog/2014/06/11/google-my-business-a-brand-a-portal-a-platform-places-makes-it-to-the-promised-land/">Google My Business – A Brand, A Portal, A Platform – Places Makes it to the Promised Land | Blumenthal's Blog</a>

<a href="http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/11/google-streamlines-its-tools-for-small-businesses/">Google Streamlines Its Tools for Small Businesses | NYTimes.com</a>

<a href="http://imprezziomarketing.com/seo-blog/google-places/huge-google-update-goodbye-google-places-hello-gmb/">Huge Google Update: Goodbye Google Places, Hello GMB | Imprezzio Marketing</a>

Great one from Search Engine Land: <a href="http://searchengineland.com/google-business-visual-tour-193764">Google My Business: A Visual Tour Of Google’s New Tool For Local Businesses & Brands</a>

<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/11/google-introduces-google-my-business-a-new-one-stop-shop-to-help-business-get-found-online/">Google Introduces “Google My Business,” A New One-Stop Shop To Help Business Get Found Online | TechCrunch</a>

<a href="http://mashable.com/2014/06/11/google-my-business/">Google Launches New Platform to Connect Businesses With Customers | Mashable</a>

Google Launches ‘Google My Business’ Dashboard, App | WebProNews

<a href="http://screenwerk.com/2014/06/11/google-retools-smb-services-with-new-google-my-business-suite/">Google Retools SMB Services with New “Google My Business” Suite</a>

<a href="http://niftylaw.com/the-need-to-know-guide-to-google-my-business-for-lawyers/">The Need To Know Guide To Google My Business For Lawyers</a>


New Posts One Day POST-Launch 6/12/14
Darren, Myles and a few other pros got a Hangout with Jade yesterday, I believe covering most of the same things that were in our TC Hangout last week. Here are their overviews which you'll find bring some clarity on a few points. Especially branding of the public facing page which is something I'll be posting about later today.

<a href="http://www.whitespark.ca/blog/post/33-google-my-business-what-you-need-to-know">Google My Business - What You Need to Know | Whitespark</a>

<a href="http://www.brightlocal.com/2014/06/12/google-business-introduced/">Google My Business - Video Guide & Insider Insights | BrightLocal</a>


Q & A BELOW
As I get questions on Q and other places I will post them here:​
Q Is anything different on the customer facing side, or is it just the back end dashboard that's new?

A Great question, I forgot to address that. No this is a business owner facing/dashboard change only.

Q Did you beta test the new dash? Any data problems?

A I got upgraded on Friday and have been using since then. But I would not call it Beta. It was more so I could help with the PR - get screen shots, work on my announcement, etc. I was so busy with pre-launch marketing stuff that I can't say I tested it technically or critically at all. Mostly was just looking for cool new features to talk about after it went public.

Q I got several bulk Qs...

A I asked Google about this during our pre-launch meetings and GMB will not be available for bulk. The bulk tool was rebranded "Google My Business Locations" and will remain separate. But lots of new features will be added.

Q What were they thinking with that name?

A The name is the one thing I don't like either for several reasons. But I think it will appeal to Mom and Pops which is likely what they were going for.

Q I don't really see that much new or different?

A I think there is much more to the upgrade than folks are noticing. You have to look close, Google is so subtle. But there are things that once you need them you'll say, now that's handy!

Q Guess this means I'll have to change my site and marketing messaging?

A Have to redo stuff due to the rebranding??? Tell me about it! I have to totally re-do my training program which is at least a 1 month+ project as busy as I am. I'm out of business literally until I get it done. Plus need to re-do much of my site, forum and all my email templates.

Q I have one question, you mention in your post the ability to preview your listing to see how it looks in search, maps, etc, but for the life of me I can't find that option.

A HOW TO PREVIEW ON GOOGLE, DELETE LISTING & MORE: SCREENSHOT IN POST #20

FYI ALL - I started a new hashtag for #googlemybusiness related tips and news so you can find all new info on the topic in one place.
<meta property="og:type" content="article"><meta property="og:title" content="Google My Business! All the Latest News - All in One Place"><meta property="og:description" content="Discover the latest details about the most exciting Google Local update so far!">
<meta property="og:image" content="">
 
Last edited:
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Very Exciting news!
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Omg omg omg! Very excited to dig in and check it out, especially the preview features.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!

So crazy...

So does it give you the option to choose the Carousel Thumbnail!?!?
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

So does it give you the option to choose the Carousel Thumbnail!?!?

Wouldn't that be something!
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Wow that looks like a step in the right direction. I;m sure Jade will be talking all about this in today's Local Influencer hangout so looking forward to learning some more.

Nice coverage Linda
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!

So crazy...

So does it give you the option to choose the Carousel Thumbnail!?!?

Ha! If all this can happen, anything is possible! :)
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

STARTED a Q A at bottom of the original post on top. Will be adding to it as questions come in.

STAY TUNED TO THE TOP POST FOR MORE INFO AS I GET IT!

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/MyBusinessMedium.jpg" alt="MyBusinessMedium" width="20%" />​

And SUBSCRIBE TO THIS THREAD so you don't miss anything!

Instructions for subscribing to this thread or the whole forum via email or RSS below!

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/forum-news-questions-suggestions/17495-stay-informed-how-subscribe-search-forum.html">STAY INFORMED - How to Subscribe & Search the Forum</a>
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Can't wait to see how this works!
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Can't wait to see how this works!

Have you checked a few accounts yet Chris?

MANY ALREADY HAVE IT!
Dig in and find an account that does. You'll be thrilled with how easy and well thought out everything is.
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

After a quick scan, it looks like there's nothing really new, just better organization. :confused:

2014-06-11_12-30-41.png
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

It's always exciting to see some forward motion on Google's local product, especially after the sorry state of affairs it's been in for the past couple of years. Hopefully this means there will be regular updates and a renewed push.

Also, the preview feature is money.
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

After a quick scan, it looks like there's nothing really new, just better organization. :confused:

Nothing NEW???

Check all the features in my top post, then look at your dashboard more closely.

Yes the interface is fairly familiar which is good news - but there is a TON new. :)

Like usual with Google things are often pretty subtle! ;)
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Linda, you are so cute when you get excited :p

Love the new dash. Very clean and easy to navigate. Kind of bummed however that "Top Searches" is gone.
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

I have a question: can we trust the data in Insights now?
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Video and Google FAQ added to bottom of the 1st post.
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Linda, you are so cute when you get excited :p

Love the new dash. Very clean and easy to navigate. Kind of bummed however that "Top Searches" is gone.

I'm excited? You can tell??? :p

I've been trying to hold back on this for over 2 months and have been playing with it for 6 days. I've been bursting at the seams!!!

Really proud of all the work the My Business team put into pulling this launch off.

I think over 100 people were involved. Can you imagine just trying to re-write all the help docs? Not just re-branding, but the update features and everything? Huge job!
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

I have a question: can we trust the data in Insights now?

Ha Darren - Insights are probably what the name implies.
Just insights - likely still won't reveal the whole picture. ;)
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Wow! Can't wait to dig into this more when I have. Exciting!
 
re: Google "My Business" Launches! Goodbye Places for Business! HUGE Google Update!

Kyle Giesbrecht asked on G+
"I have one question, you mention in your post the ability to preview your listing to see how it looks in search, maps, etc, but for the life of me I can't find that option."

It's at bottom right of edit business details section. Thanks for asking. Meant to post - ran out of time.

Delete listing and VIEW ON GOOGLE screen shot

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/EditDetailsHelandView.jpg" alt="EditDetailsHelandView" width="80%" />​
 

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