Google Maps' 4 New Features Affecting Small and Local Businesses

Google is on a roll with updating its engines to help both small and large businesses. Recently, they revamped Google My Business entirely with a name change and a bunch of new features.

Read about it in Google Business Profile - How Small Businesses Will Be Affected.

Google Maps has launched four new features that will improve the shopping experience of local customers. And that means smaller businesses will see an increase in traffic and sales.

To further help businesses, Google has published many statistics to help companies tailor their marketing strategies, like the most popular times visiting specific categories of companies.

4 New Features for Google Maps

Area Busyness 

You might've already noticed this change when Googling for products or services recently because Google has put it at the front of most searches on Maps.

With this change, customers will see how busy an area or business usually is at different times throughout the day. This is super helpful for shoppers who want a bit more peace and quiet or to avoid large crowds.

The Area Busyness feature works by combining live busyness trends from businesses in a selected area. 

Directory Tab

The Directory Tab will be a great addition to shops and businesses in shopping centres, strips, or busy cities. 

Its purpose is to show a list of stores and businesses within the area, so customers can search for the region and scroll to find what they're looking for. 

If you're a business that works hard on their Google Business Profile, you probably already have some reviews. You'll be glad to know that they will help prioritise your business on this listing by showing customers your star ratings and sentiment from other customers.

Read How Reviews Can Help You Grow Your Business Online to find out a bit more.

Grocery Shopping

Google Grocery Shopping - what will they think of next?

This feature was released a bit earlier in the year to help Google users actually purchase their groceries and order pickups using Google Maps.

Google says that customers can usually place an order only wait around five minutes before it's ready to be picked up.

And while it hasn't reached Australia yet, it has already expanded to over 2,000 stores across the US. So, watch this space, Australian retailers.

Restaurant information boost

A heap of Australians are using Google Maps to find places to eat out or for takeaway. These new additions will help give them even more information about their options.

The new information will include more detailed pricing information like the average cost per person plus whether a restaurant has:

• Its own amenities

• Outdoor or indoor seating

• Curbside pickup for takeaway

The information will be provided by both business owners and Google Maps reviewers.

What these changes mean for your business

These changes will make it significantly easier for potential customers to discover your business. That means an increase in online traffic.

Is your business online shopfront and presence ready to be shown off? Grade your website for free to see if its performance will stand up to the test and convert this traffic into paying customers.

Book a consultation with one of our internet marketing strategists or contact us online. Alternatively, call (07) 5636 3700.