The Unseen Notary: The Stark Reality of Not Leveraging Google's 91.5% Market Share

The World's Largest Business Directory

Think of the Google search engine like the world’s biggest business directory. 

To put this in perspective for you, Google gets 91.5% of all the internet search business in the world. 

Bing gets 3.19%. 

For fans of DuckDuckGo, they get only .55%.

For your notary business to thrive, you must be listed on the Google “business directory”.

This is what we commonly refer to as, Google Business Profile (GBP).

GBP is a suite of online services that Google grants to businesses of any size at no charge. You’ve likely seen this in action already when you search for “late night munchies near me,” or “nail spa in Tampa.” 

The information that comes up, with the hours of operation, menu of services, and customer reviews, is likely the Google Business Profile for those small, local businesses. 

This is the same series of information that could come up for your notary business too! 

All you have to do is set it up and tend to it throughout the life of your business. And yet, I still hear resistance to establishing a GBP. 

Here’s what I hear the most.

The Top Four Misconceptions About Google Business Profile

I won’t hold you in suspense, here they are: 

1. “It’s too expensive! I have paper, pens, and lottery tickets to buy.” 
2. “You have to include your home address, so HELL NO! I don’t want random people knocking on my door.”
3. “It’s too complicated, I ain’t got time for that. I’m not good with technology.”
4. “You have to have a website first, so I’ll wait til I’m ready.”

I’ve been advocating the importance of a Google Business Profile for years, and I’ve heard these four responses over and over. 

In fact, last year I did a survey of notaries, and these four misconceptions about Google Business Profile quickly rose to the top. 

So, let’s look at each of them. 

Google Business Profile Misconception #1: “It’s Too Expensive!”

Google Business Profile is 100% free. There is no charge for this. I’m not sure how else to say this to make it absolutely clear. You can set up and use FULL functionality of GBP without ever having to pay a cent. 

They never ask for a credit card. There is no upgrade. There are no additional features if you pay X-amount. 

It’s free. Did you see that period? 

It’s free. 

Google Business Profile Misconception #2: You have to Include Your Home Address

This is a partial truth. I feel like I’m reporting for NPR here. 

Google Business Profile is going to be most effective if you add the physical address of your business. For most of us, as mobile notaries and trust delivery agents, that will be your home address. 

But…

And this is a HUGE but…

There is a special box that you check to indicate that you DO NOT provide services at this address. 

That means: Google will hide your address from the public. This is important because prospects that are near to you can still find you, but they won’t be ringing your doorbell. They’ll just call or text (like any civilized human being). 

Google Business Profile Misconception #3: It’s Too Complicated

Okay, I’m willing to give a little on this because if you’ve never touched a cell phone or a computer before, activating your Google Business Profile might be a bit intimidating. 

And…

Outside of living under a rock for the last twenty years, you can do this. 

No excuses. 

Google actually wants you to succeed. They make it easy for you. 

They will walk you through your profile set up, step by step. 

Start here

Google Business Profile Misconception #4: You Have to Have a Website First

Nope. You don’t. 

No website required, ever. 

A website can certainly enhance and boost your online visibility, but it’s not necessary AT ALL for Google Business Profile. 

Don’t wait until you have a website. Just get your GBP set up and you can add a website later if you want.

Get Started With Google Business Profile Now

• Google Business Profile is free. 
• You don’t have to publicly share your address. 
• Through the GBP onboarding process, set-up is super simple with minimal technical requirements. 
• And, GBP does not ever require a website. 

If you are ready to service customers in your notary business, there is literally no reason to postpone your Google Business Profile. 

If you want this business to thrive, then your customers have to be able to find you when they need you. 

Google Business Profile is the fastest, cheapest, easiest way to make that happen.

Bill Soroka is on a mission to help mobile notaries serve more clients, make more money, and build a business that thrives beyond loan signings, self-reliant & untethered to the housing industry. You can join him with the most committed notaries on earth in the Notary Business Builder learning community.

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