Is Google’s Call History Coming To The UK?
It has recently been announced that Google will be allowing certain accounts based in the US and Canada to keep track of phone calls from your customers on Google Search and Maps with call history. To help you respond to missed calls and stay engaged with your customers, call history keeps your calls all in one place.
These calls may make it easier for you to connect with customers who found your business through Google. Any calls you get from your Business Profile will start with a short message that lets you know they’re from Google.
How Does Call History Work?
When a customer uses the “Call” button on your Business Profile, their calls show up in the “Calls” tab in Google My Business. From this tab you can find recent calls, missed calls, and more.
Once call history is on, customers connect to you through a forwarding number instead of through the number on your profile. At the start of a call, you’ll get an automated message that says, “Call from Google.”
Turn on call history
- On your computer, sign in to the Google Account you used to sign up for Google My Business.
- To find your Business Profile, search on Google for your exact business name. You can also search for “my business.”
- If needed, to open your Business Profile, select View profile.
- On the “See call history” card, click Get started
Turn on.
Turn on.Turn off call history
- On your computer, sign in to the Google Account you used to sign up for Google My Business.
- To find your Business Profile, search on Google for your exact business name. You can also search for “my business.”
- If needed, to open your Business Profile, select View profile.
- Click Customers Calls.
- Click the 3-dot menu Calls settings.
- Turn off Turn on call history.
About Google forwarding number
On your Business Profile, customers can find your business number. When they use the “Call” button on your profile, their call is forwarded to a unique number to reach you. This number is different from the one on your profile.
The Google forwarding number varies based on the location in which it’s dialed, which includes its area code or prefix number. When possible, the forwarding number shares the same area code or prefix number as your business. Otherwise, a local number in your geographic region is used. If these numbers aren’t available, a toll-free Google forwarding number is used.
Tip: It’s rare that the toll-free number is needed.
Additional information
- Calls are kept for 45 days in the “Calls” tab.
- If you opted in to call history, you can’t turn off the automated message you receive when a customer calls you.
- You can’t track texts in call history. Call history only tracks phone calls. You can text customers with the Messaging feature in the GMB app.
- If a customer call reaches your voicemail, it is categorized as “Answered Calls” in the Calls tab.
Click here for more information.
Further Information
If you’d like to speak to us regarding any of our services, including our online marketing services, please give us a call on 01883 372488 or contact us via Facebook and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.
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Google My Business Is Changing to Google Business Profile
With Christmas rapidly approaching, many customers have already started their Christmas shopping. If your shop is open for in-store shopping or dining, it’s important to make sure your customers can easily find you online. To help, Google has unwrapped new local solutions plus a local holiday guide to help you stand out on Google and connect shoppers to your shop!
Claim and Verify
Did you know that you can now claim and verify your Business Profile directly on Google Search or the Google Maps app? Search for your business by name and you’ll see an option to claim and verify the associated Business Profile. Once your business is verified, you can edit your business’ information, including the address, opening hours, photos and more.
Update your Business Profile and engage with customers directly from Search and Maps.
They have also added new ways to get even more out of your Business Profile. You can now message customers directly from Search, and merchants in the U.S. and Canada (hopefully the UK will follow) can use call history to see which inbound customer calls came from their Business Profile on Google.
Moving forward, Google is recommending small businesses manage their profiles directly on Search or Maps. To keep things simple, “Google My Business” is being renamed “Google Business Profile.” And in 2022, they will retire the Google My Business app so more merchants can take advantage of the upgraded experience on Search and Maps.
The existing Google My Business web experience will transition to primarily support larger businesses with multiple locations, and will be renamed “Business Profile Manager.” We’ll share more details on these changes in the months ahead.
Further Information
If you’d like to speak to us regarding any of our services, including our online marketing services, please give us a call on 01883 372488 or contact us via Facebook and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.
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How To Use Google Local Ads To Help Your Business
Local Services Ads help you connect with people who search on Google for the services that you offer. Your ads will show up for customers in your area, and you only pay if a customer contacts you directly through the ad.
Local Services Ads works with the budget you set for your business. You can increase or reduce the amount that you spend at any time, or pause your ads altogether.
Designed specifically to help promote the services of local service providers, if you fall into any of the following categories, you could well be eligible for an account.
- Appliance Repair
- Carpentry
- Carpet Cleaning
- Countertop Services
- Electrical
- Fencing
- Flooring
- Foundations
- Garage Door
- General Contracting
- Handyman
- Home Inspection
- House Cleaning
- HVAC
- Landscaping
- Lawn Care
- Moving
- Pest Control
- Plumbing
- Pool Cleaning
- Pool Contractor
- Roofing
- Rubbish Removal
- Siding
- Snow Removal Services
- Tree Surgeon
- Water Damage Services
- Window Cleaning
- Window Services
This specialist version of Google Ads is aimed specifically at small businesses and service professionals that wish to target new customers, maximise leads, obtain more jobs along with building a trusted reputation for their business …
Google’s Local Service Ads are a great way to complement local SEO strategy for businesses in specific industries such as locksmiths, plumbers, cleaners, and gardeners.
5 Steps To Help Grow Your Business
Only pay for results – Control your budget and only pay when a customer gets in touch directly from your ad, so that you can focus on real results for your business.
- Tell them about your business – Tell us where you’re located, what services you offer and set your budget so that we can show your ads to the right customers at the right time.
- Become a Google Guaranteed provider – To become a Google Guaranteed business, we’ll ensure that your business meets local licence and insurance requirements.
- Get discovered – We’ll start showing your ads on Google to customers in your area that are actively looking for your services.
- Book jobs – Once a customer sees your ad, they can contact you directly from your ad. You choose what jobs you want to take and track your appointments.
- Maintain and grow – Use the dashboard or mobile app to maintain and grow your business by updating or pausing ads, optimising your account and adjusting your budget.
Control your budget
Local Services Ads works with the budget you set for your business. You can increase or reduce the amount that you spend at any time, or pause your ads altogether.
Need Some More Help
Would like to find out more about Google Local Services Ads? Give the Footprint Digital team a call on Tel. No. 01883 372488 today.
