Inside: Make your pharmacy more searchable using Google My Business.
Did you know that you have the power to control the information about your pharmacy available through a Google search? A unique, simple-to-use, free tool called Google My Business allows you to continuously update your business’s Google profile in Search and Maps.
Updating your pharmacy’s Google listing ensures that your business shows up across Google, and that current and potential patients have the right information to find and contact your pharmacy.
Here’s what you need to know about Google My Business.
Why use Google My Business?
It’s likely that before patients even step into your pharmacy they have already researched your store online. Consumers search for the best option available to them. What pharmacy is closest to them? Which pharmacy provides the best services for their particular needs?
Google My Business allows you to directly control the information users see when they search for your pharmacy on Google, making it easier for patients to find information about your business.
According to Google, when a business has a complete Google My Business page, customers are 70 percent more likely to visit, and another Google study found that customers are more likely to trust a business if they have a complete listing.
If you neglect your Google My Business page, you’re also neglecting an opportunity to build up confidence among consumers.
Setting up Google My Business
Google My Business allows your pharmacy to manage how you show up across Google. The information you provide makes it easier and faster for patients to find the information they want and need about your pharmacy.
Getting started means signing in to the service and creating an account. You will add your business’s name, choose a category that fits your services, and enter your location. Google will ask you to position a marker for your pharmacy on a map in order to make it easier to find.
When creating your account, it’s important to be comprehensive with the information you include. Imagine what your current or potential patient would want to know when they’re searching for a pharmacy. Be sure to include your pharmacy’s name, phone number, address, website, and hours of operation.
Google My Business also allows you to post images. Maintain brand consistency by including pictures of your pharmacy or your logo on your Google listing. Not only will images catch potential patients’ attention, but they will also give your pharmacy more legitimacy.
Verification
After you’ve set your account up, you’ll be asked to verify your business with Google. Typically, Google will verify you by sending a postcard to your business address with a five-digit verification code.
It may take a few weeks for your listing to appear after you’ve verified, so don’t worry if it doesn’t pop up right away.
Claim your business
It may be the cast that your pharmacy already has a profile on Google populated with information contributed by the general public.
Take control over what information is listed by logging in to Google My Business and claiming your pharmacy. You’ll be asked a few questions to prove you are the owner, and then Google will hand the reins of the business profile over to you.
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What are other features of Google My Business?
Maintaining an accurate, up-to-date Google listing will help you get new patients into your pharmacy and grow your pharmacy’s reputation as a trusted, reputable business. Here are even more ways to use Google My Business.
Get mapped
Once you’ve verified your business, you can drop a pin for the address to ensure that it shows up correctly on Google Maps. This enables patients to find directions to your pharmacy on their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. You can also correct incorrect Google Street View imagery to minimize confusion for people trying to find you.
Manage reviews
The free tool also allows you to stay on top of reviews left on Google. With Google My Business, you can read patient reviews and respond to them. Remember, responding to reviews is an excellent way to show that you care about your patients, and it’s also the best way to do damage control when you receive a negative review.
Get insights on your patients
Google My Business also allows you to track the success of your business’s profile with analytics. The Insights feature will show you what search terms people are using to find your page, how they’ve interacted with your page, what your business s known for, and more. You can use this information to make your page more helpful to users.
Manage multiple locations
Do you own multiple pharmacy locations? The good news is, you won’t have to create multiple Google My Business profiles. The service includes features that allow you to manage multiple Google listings from one place with a simple bulk location management tool.
Set up appointments
If you have services that patients need to set up appointments for, you can link your Google My Business page to your scheduling provider. Then, patients will be able to reserve their slot directly from Google.
Message with patients
When you turn on the messaging feature, a Message button will appear on your profile that allows people to contact you through Google. You can create an automated welcome message for anyone who reaches out and then have a conversation akin to text messaging.
In-store insights
If your store has a Pointy device, patients can see the products that you have in stock when they visit your Google profile. This way, they can ensure that you have what they need before heading out.
An Independently Owned Organization Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy side of their business. The member-owned company serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, expert contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, distribution services, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited (formerly VAWD) warehouse with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products.
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