When you’re a small business owner, you might think you don’t have time to collect leads online, and maybe you don’t. If you can’t even afford to spend 15 minutes trying to figure out how to show up on Google, you should definitely hire a marketing agency. 

However, if you do happen to have 15 minutes available at least a few times a week, this method can actually work for you, and it can help you start collecting leads online. 

Please note: this method works well in smaller towns like Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, etc. If you live in a bigger city, (like Spokane, for example), or you’re in an industry that’s highly competitive (like plumbing), then you’ll have to put more effort into this strategy. 

So, what are three things you can do that are EASY, FREE, and will actually help you collect leads online? 

Set Up a Google My Business Page 

Not only is setting up your Google My Business (GMB) profile 100% free, but it usually takes less than 10 minutes. 

So many business owners don’t realize how hugely important this step is. Most of the time, GMB pages will rank above websites. 

For example, here’s what shows up on top when I Google ‘Marketers in Post Falls:’ 

 

This pack of GMB pages (and getting your GMB page to show up in the top 3), is prime real estate. Lots of people (depending on demographics), will click on the GMB page and go to your official website. Others will simply call you directly from your GMB page. So, the higher your GMB page ranks, the more calls you get, simple as that. 

This leads us to the next free and easy way to generate leads: 

Post To Your GMB Page At Least Once a Week 

Just like websites earn their rankings, so do GMB pages. Getting your GMB page to rank is actually very simple.

The more frequently and consistently you post to your GMB page, the higher it will rank. 

The posts don’t have to be long (in fact, you have a 1500 word limit when you post to your GMB page), and they don’t have to include pictures or videos, though if you have those on hand we highly encourage you to use them. 

The posts can be very simple and to the point. You can post about a new service you just added, or about a big win you had with a customer. You can post an answer to commonly asked questions, etc. 

What’s most important is that you post consistently, and also that you’re posting real sentences that humans will want to read, not robotic, keyword stuffed content day after day with no variety. 

Humans first my friends, always, humans first…

Ask For Google Reviews 

The third free and easy method to getting more leads online is to ask for Google reviews. So many business owners don’t realize how much weight Google gives reviews when it’s deciding which GMB page to put on top. 

If a customer thanks you for doing such a great job, that’s the moment to ask them for a Google review. You can make it simple for them by texting them a link. The easier it is for the customer to do, the more likely they are to do it. 

Don’t Get Discouraged 

It’s easy to get discouraged as a new business owner, because unfortunately an important factor in your rankings (both for your website and your GMB), is how long you’ve been around. 

Domains and GMB pages that have been on the web for ages do have the upper hand, but you can surpass them if you put in the effort while they’re resting on their slow-earned organic rankings. 

Google loves to see effort. Google loves to see fresh content. Google loves to see that people love their experience with your business online. 

P.S. Don’t have 15 minutes a week? Schedule a call with us to find out how we can help you blow up your business without you having to do any of the legwork.