Google will shut down Business profile websites in March 2024. Therefore, you must take necessary actions proactively to maintain your online presence. Otherwise, you will have to work again from scratch to make a mark in e-commerce or any other industry.
Whether you manage a small or medium-sized business that caters to the needs of local customers belonging to electronic retailing, also called e-tail, or another niche, it is high time to change your existing strategy.
This blog post will describe the significance of GMB for local businesses. Similarly, it will highlight how the Google Business Profile shutdown can impact local businesses.
Google Business Profile Websites Shutdown Details
If you own a Google Business Profile website, you must know about the shutdown or closure of Google Business Profile websites. Per Google:
- Google Business Profile websites will be shut down in March 2024.
- When clicking your website domain, visitors will be redirected to your Google Business Profile (GBP).
- Visitors will see a 404 error message on their screens when they click your website URL on June 10, 2024, and onwards. 404 is one of the most common WordPress errors users regularly experience when browsing the web.
- Your Google Business Profile website will be removed if it has a domain that ends with negocio.site or business.site.
- Websites with these domains will be removed from the website field.
- Google suggests updating your Google Business Profile to indicate a new website.
For instance, you will add the information of a new restaurant website in your Google Business Profile (GBP) if your current website ends with domains, such as negocio.site or business.site.
What Do You Mean By A Google Business Profile Website?
A Google Business Profile provides a massive opportunity for businesses of varied sizes to improve their presence in Google’s local search results.
Google’s local search results include helpful and results-driven information like links highlighting business websites, directions, phone numbers, business hours, and more.
Unsurprisingly, 46% of all searches relate to location specifically. It shows local search marketing is invaluable for Google searches.
Therefore, businesses targeting local markets and shops in a particular city must create compelling Google business profiles.
Importance of A Google Business Profile
An active Google Business Profile helps you increase your conversions and sales to the next level. If you do not want to lose your existing customer base or want to expand it, Google Business Profile is crucial.
If you maintain your Google Business Profile, you can rank your website on searches related to local businesses. Google Business Profiles are assumed to be one of the leading ranking factors, revealed in a local search ranking factors survey.
What’s Next For Website Owners in 2024 and Beyond
Business Profile websites are vital for the success of small business owners, including entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and others.
As Google has decided to close millions of Google Business Profile websites worldwide, website owners must consider taking various measures proactively to stay relevant in 2024 and the coming years.
These measures are:
A Website Setup Check is Necessary
As a website owner, you must check if your business relies on a Google Business Profile website. For that reason, you can check your website URL to see if it ends in .business.site. Likewise, you will check your website URL to discover if it has a negocio.site.
If so, change your website URL as early as possible. Otherwise, you can take a big sigh of relief.
Use Other leading Platforms
You can develop a new GBP website and earn handsome money. For example, WordPress is an ideal platform that helps thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs build and launch their websites from scratch.
You can turn to WPExperts, a prominent WordPress development agency that enables small businesses to launch their websites without issues.
Google Business Profile Needs to be Updated
You must update your Google Business Profile, including business information, direction, and other details. Once you update your GBP, existing and potential local customers will easily find your small business online.
Inform Customers Regarding the Changes
You should inform your customers about the changes as soon as possible. You can reach out to them through social media channels. For instance, you can upload a new video highlighting the upcoming changes on YouTube if you have a dedicated channel on the famous interactive platform.
Moreover, you can reap the rewards of email marketing by sending emails to your customers and providing updates and insights regarding the changes related to your Google Business Profile.
Other Platforms You Can Use to Build A New Website
Apart from WordPress, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others can try other platforms, enabling them to create new websites for their businesses. Here are some leading platforms they can use:
- Squarespace
- Google Sites
- GoDaddy
- Shopify
- Weebly
- Durable
- Strikingly
What Do You Mean By GMB (Google My Business)?
Google My Business, commonly termed GMB, is a free online tool. The tool plays a decisive role in enhancing the reputation of local businesses on Google Search.
If you rank your business website for relevant local searches on the leading search engine, you can make money in huge numbers.
Global Local SEO Software Market Size (Current Situation and Future Potential)
The local SEO Software market reached a massive figure of USD 16.67 billion in 2023. It will continue to thrive at a CAGR of 20% worldwide in the next six years. The market size will reach USD 59.72 by 2030.
Wrapping Up
We hope you liked our blog post that indicates Google will shut down Business Profile websites in March 2024.
As a small business owner, you should not undermine the importance of GMB (Google My Business) at any cost. Local company owners can enhance their online presence on Google Search to a great extent if they make full use of Google My Business.
A Google Business Profile helps businesses attain multiple local SEO advantages. Fortunately, Google Business Profiles will be accessible online. Google will not shut them down.
However, this move by Google has compelled many small businesses and entrepreneurs to think about the future of their existence digitally.
On the flip side, this shift offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a massive opportunity to enhance their online presence with engaging and customized websites.
