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GMB Optimization: The 5 Steps of A Customers Journey

GMB optimization offers an opportunity to get tremendous exposure for your business. The key to success is continuing to market so that people will see your brand over and over online. Google My Business builds your exposure, online reputation, and gives you remarkable opportunities to reach your ideal customers.

Why Google My Business and Maps Optimization Is So Profitable

Think about the last time you spent $50 to $5,000. With 100% certainty, you were in the market.  You did your research. You did a keyword search then looked at the Google My Business and GMB Maps listings. You checked the Google reviews, then the descriptions, hours of operation, and photos.

This process is called Discovery Searching. (According to Bright Social, 84% of searches are Discovery searches.)

Frequently, the next step is to search for a business name on Google. This Direct Search process begins when you want to learn more about a business (this happens at steps 2,3, and 4. See below).

You make a quick scan of their website and articles that appear for their business or brand name. Are they credible? Can they be trusted?

You’re looking, but not buying yet.

This process happens every day. You may search Google for days, weeks, months, or years before you pull the trigger and make the purchase.

Whether you realize it or not, you just went through the 5 Step Customer Journey.


Awareness of the 5-Step Journey of a Customer Will Increase Your Sales and Revenue

Marketing and Sales is a process, not a one-hit-wonder. A clear sales and marketing message on your GMB listing and your website delivered over and over to the same audience produces profits. Awareness of the 5 steps of a buyer’s journey will increase the profits of your marketing and sales efforts.

GMB Optimization Nichequest


What Are The 5 Steps of a Buyers Journey?

Step 1. Completely Unaware – Your prospect does a Google search. They do not know you or your service, and they lack awareness about your unique values compared to your competitors. They are not a buyer of your product or service yet.

Step 2. Problem Aware – Your prospect senses they have a problem but doesn’t know there is a solution. They are not going to buy from you at this level. The more Google My Business visibility, the more your prospects will move through stages 3,4, and 5.

Step 3. Solution Aware – Your prospect knows the solution they want, but not that your product or service provides it. They are getting warmer at this level.

Step 4. Product Aware – Your prospect knows what you sell, but isn’t sure it’s right for him/her.

Step 5. The Most Aware – Your prospect knows your product and only needs to know “The Deal,” the cost. They are ready to buy subject to the price. Google My Business optimization (with follow up via calls, email, or text message) will position you when they are ready to buy.


Your knowledge of the five steps of prospects and existing customers will help you deal with them where they are in the sales process both online and offline.


How to Move Your Prospects from Step 1 to Step 5

We have run hundreds of marketing and sales campaigns for ourselves and our clients for well over 20 years.

I’ve seen business growth range from failure to extraordinary results. Those with the most remarkable results invest in their marketing continuously. I’ve seen many great businesses who quit to suffer stagnation or decline. Some have even gone out of business.

The key to steady growth is steady marketing.

Of all the marketing I’ve ever experienced, Google SEO, GMB optimization, and GMB Maps SEO have been the most effective.


Google My Business Optimization Potential

Few business owners and marketing agencies are aware of the potential with Google My Business and Maps exposure for generating sales growth.

Many perceive Google My Business as an afterthought. They set it up, add a few photos, and forget about it. When it doesn’t produce, they think Google My Business doesn’t work for them.

The reality is you can get exposure for hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of keyword searches.

The chart below shows 347,000 views over three months for a Luxury Design/Build business in NYC. Though this is a rare phenomenon, it shows the extraordinary potential.

Google My Business Optimization Results

This client started with zero searches. Now they get over 100,000 monthly Google My Business and Maps Views. They stuck with marketing and are reaping the rewards.


NicheQuest SEO in Fairfield County CT

NicheQuest, based in Fairfield County CT, is a Google My Business, SEO specialist, and business advisory agency.

We have clients from NYC to Los Angeles in Real Estate, construction, and health care. Many of our clients are marketing agencies. Contact us today to learn more about GMB optimization to increase your website traffic and ranking in Google.

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