Google Business Profile Websites Shutting Down

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Google Business Profile Websites Shutting Down

Francesca Taylor • February 27, 2024

From March 2024, Google is shutting down over 21 million Google Business Profile websites.

This service was provided to help businesses establish a basic website using the information on Google My Business listings. Users visiting your site will be redirected to the company’s associated Google My Business Profile.

So, how will these changes affect your business and what are the next steps for those who rely on Google Business Profile websites?

What to expect from the shutdown

As outlined by Google, the following changes will be made:

Domains that end in business.site or negocio.site will be removed from Google My Business Profiles from March 2024.
From March 2024, customers will be redirected to your Google My Business profile when they visit your website domain.
After June 10th 2024, customers will be shown a ‘page not found’ or ‘404’ error when following any link to your Google Business Profile website.

What happens when my website is turned off?

When users visit your website, they will be redirected to your Google My Business Profile.

This redirect is due to end on June 10th 2024, so creating a new online platform is vital to ensuring your customers are still able to purchase your product/service online.

Who will be most affected by this change?

The nature of Google Business Profile websites initially appealed to small businesses who could not afford to have a website built.

Anyone who took advantage of this service will be affected by this change.

Should I seek a new website?

When your Google Business Profile website is shut down, you have three main options:

Optimise your GMB listing to its maximum potential
Have a new website built to suit your business
Get listed in business directories

The option you choose will depend on your budget and the needs of your business. Optimising your GMB listing is the first step towards ensuring you are still found online. Regardless of whether you need a new website, Listings are a vital component to business success and we always recommend utilising all of the features available to you.

However, if you rely on your website for online conversions, then ensure you have at least a basic website in place.

At Infoserve, we can redesign your website for as little as £100 per page, depending on your requirements. Our professional web design team are experts at creating sleek, modern websites that align with your budget, so you can ensure your business continues to grow beyond this major change.

Having a website that you own and control will prevent any unexpected changes like this one from unsettling your business.

Create predictability and stability with a new website. Contact Us today.

Will the change impact Google My Business Profile?

Your Google My Business profile will continue to function, meaning your business will not completely disappear from Google’s SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

However, optimisation of this profile is now crucial.

Should you alert customers?

If you have a social media presence or email directory, it is a good idea to notify customers that your website will be shut down. But, reassure them that your business will continue to run as usual.

If you plan to invest in a new website, let them know something new is coming. This can be a good way to entice customers, and be a fantastic opportunity to update your branding.

What if I’m running an ads campaign?

If you are running an ads campaign that links to your Google Business Profile website, then you must update the links before March 1st 2024 or pause your campaign until you have a new website running.

How to optimise your Google My Business Profile

As standard, you GMB listing should have the following elements:

Your business name
Your business address
Your business hours
The category of your business
The contact details of your business (phone number, email address)
Google reviews

But, there are many ways that you can optimise your listings for maximum benefit:

1. Include keywords:

Including keywords on your business profile acts in a similar way to using them for basic SEO purposes.

2. Review the information regularly

Ensure all the information on your GMB listing is accurate and up to date. This includes opening times, contact details, location and company branding.

3. Include and respond to reviews

One of the most beneficial aspects of GMB listings is its ability to give customers instant access to social proof. Your interactions with customers can have a magnanimous impact on the way new customers view your brand.

4. Post from your Google My Business Profile

Google My Business allows you to publish posts directly from your profile.

5. Include images

Visually displaying your business makes it appear more credible to your audience. Make sure photos are high quality and relevant to the service/products you sell.

6. Catalogue your products

GMB listings allows small and medium businesses to create a catalogue of your products. You can include information such as:

Product price
Product details
Product images

7. Invest in an external Listings Manager

Listings experts have all the tips and tricks to make your GMB profile stand out, as well as access to a wide range of listing options under their belt.

If your Google Business Profile website is being shut down, then professional listing managers can remove the hassle of optimising your GMB profile from your shoulders.

At Infoserve, our Listing Manager allows you to manage your listings from one place. We help you increase your search visibility, manage reviews and posts, stand out on Apple Maps and even optimise for voice search, so you continue to profit from your online presence.

Trust our listings experts with your business and we will ensure it continues to thrive beyond the shut down of your Google Business Profile Website.

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