What's a Google My Business Website?
You may have heard of Google My Business, but did you know there’s also a Google My Business website you can set up as a local business owner? In this article, we will review the pros and cons of using this free website builder provided by Google. These one-page websites are mobile-optimized and pull information from your Google My Business profile.
Simple design and minimal customization
While it may seem appealing to be able to create everything for your small business in the same place, keep in mind that the Google My Business website is meant to be a very simple website without many of the advanced features you would get using other content management systems (CMS) like WordPress. All of the business details and photos are pulled from your Google My Business profile, and you are able to choose from 10 of their themes. This means if you already have a brand color palette and brand fonts, this may not be the best fit for your style needs.
Use your own domain or use one provided by Google for free
If you already own a domain, you can connect that to your Google My Business website. Alternatively, Google can provide you with a .site domain for free. They will also suggest domains available based on your business name, and you can purchase those for about $12 per year. It’s nice to have options, so we’ll put this in the “pro” column!
Pros for the Google My Business websites
One thing that is very convenient about the Google My Business websites is that they auto-update when you make updates to your Google My Business profile. They are also SUPER easy to set up and maintain, so if you need something simple and have very little technical expertise, they would be a great option for you. If your business website doesn’t need a lot of content, a Google My Business website might be just what you need to provide basic information including what you offer, your contact information, and photos. Keep in mind, it’s a simple layout— like bare bones, so if you have a lot of content you want to share with website visitors, you would be better off with another platform.
Cons of the Google My Business website
If you are serious about SEO and hope to sell products, either physical or digital, or own anything that might be ordered or sold online, the Google My Business website would not be a good fit. While it will give you something to put out there in the digital space, you are also seriously limited in terms of customizing it to fit your brand. Luckily there are other website builders to choose from including Wix, Squarespace and Weebly. These are great options if you are choosing to DIY your website and prefer an out of the box option more than an overly customized site.
The Website Platform We Recommend for the Best SEO Outcomes
If you are serious about maximizing your online visibility and search rankings on Google, your best bet is to use WordPress. WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows you to customize your site to your liking AND is great for your SEO. If you choose another platform like Squarespace or Wix, you can still optimize for SEO, but your options are more limited on the backend since your site is managed by the company.
If you are unsure if a Google My Business website is the best option for your business, we invite you to book a Local SEO Strategy Session to discuss what might be best for your business in terms of SEO. The Local SEO Checklist is also a great place to start!