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A robust Google Q&A strategy is crucial for launching your localized marketing strategy to the next level. While many multi-location businesses focus on their Google My Business (GMB) profiles as a whole, the Google Q&A feature is often overlooked. What is your multi-location business doing now to run an effective Google Q&A strategy? Is there any room for improvement? Throughout this blog, we’ll cover different tactics that can propel your localized marketing strategy forward and help you stand out against competitors. 

 

Provide efficient communication to consumers.

 

According to another blog on the topic, Google Q&A is a crowdsourced feature on GMB that allows any Google user to ask a question about any business, and both users and businesses can respond. Google Q&A allows your multi-location business to communicate with consumers and prospects efficiently. If your multi-location business has a GMB profile for every location, consumers can ask a question on a specific location’s GMB profile. For instance, if someone were wondering if your local restaurant allows dogs, the Google Q&A section on your profile would be the best place to ask this question. Rather than the consumer having to pick up the phone only to get an automated response or send an email, they can ask the question directly through Google Q&A. 

 

Your multi-location business will get a notification through your GMB profile whenever a question is asked on Google Q&A. You must respond to that question both quickly and effectively. You don’t want to leave the consumer hanging waiting for a response – additionally, if you as the business owner doesn’t respond to the question, it leaves the opportunity open for any user to respond. Your response strategy for Google Q&A should be similar to your current review response strategy. All questions should be answered, and you should ensure that both corporate and local business managers are on the same page when it comes to responding to reviews and Q&A. Is there a specific tone of voice that should be used? How quickly should the reviews or questions be responded to? These are some questions to consider to ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them. 

 

Once the consumer sees that your multi-location business is taking Google Q&A seriously, they will begin to trust your business more. Consumers will also feel more comfortable asking a question that they may have, which is where an increase in engagement starts to come into play. 

 

Increase engagement. 

 

In addition to efficient communication, Google Q&A also allows you to increase your interaction or engagement with consumers. Through Google Q&A, your multi-location business can directly respond to any questions consumers may have about your multi-location business. If consumers feel as though your business is taking the time to respond to their inquiries, they will be more likely to consider your business when it comes time to make a purchasing decision. 

 

If your localized marketing strategy allows your multi-location business to interact with your consumers at several different levels, it will make a noticeable difference in lead generation and sales. If your multi-location business isn’t already engaging with consumers through Google Q&A, it’s time to start. 

 

Gather data about consumers needs and desires

 

Google Q&A also allows your multi-location business to collect information about what your consumers are interested in and what they expect from your multi-location business. For instance, if your company receives many questions about whether or not you have public wifi, it may be time to consider getting public wifi. On the other hand, if you see numerous questions about your hours of operation, you may want to consider if your hours are visible enough on different local search and social platforms. Insights that your multi-location business receives from your Google Q&A account can help inform areas of your localized marketing strategy that need improvement. 

 

Highlight your FAQ to save time in other areas. 

 

Another perk of utilizing Google Q&A is that it allows you to understand the most frequently asked questions consumers have around your business. To save time on emails and phone calls, you can add some of the questions you get most often on your Google Q&A account to the FAQ section of your website or share the information across your search and social channels. We all know that many businesses will have a strain on their resources due to COVID-19, which is why it’s critical to consolidate your marketing efforts wherever possible. Using Google Q&A to help answer questions about your business is a great place to start.

 

A robust Google Q&A strategy will propel your multi-location business’s localized marketing efforts to the next level and help you bounce back as we find our way in this new normal. If your multi-location business needs help navigating your localized marketing strategy and determining which areas you should be focusing on most right now, SOCi is here to help. For more information on how SOCi can help your localized marketing efforts, email us today at [email protected]

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