Google My Business to Let Businesses add Short Names and Short URLs

google my business short name In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, Google continues to find ways to empower businesses to connect with their customers more efficiently. One of the most notable features added to Google My Business is the ability for businesses to create short names and short URLs. This seemingly simple addition can make a big impact on how businesses manage their online presence and engage with their audience.

In this article, we’ll explore what short names and short URLs are, how they work, and why they are important for businesses looking to strengthen their online presence.

What Are Short Names and Short URLs?

In April 2019, Google rolled out a feature that allows verified businesses on Google My Business (GMB) to create a short name, which is essentially a custom, easy-to-remember name linked to their GMB profile. Once the short name is created, businesses also receive a short URL that can be used to direct customers to their business listing on Google.

For example, a business named “John’s Coffee Shop” can choose a short name like “johnscoffeeshop” and their short URL would look like: g.page/johnscoffeeshop. When customers click on or type this link, they will be taken directly to the business’s Google listing, where they can see photos, read reviews, get directions, or leave a review themselves.google my business short name

Why Is This Feature Important?

The ability to create a short, memorable URL offers several key benefits for businesses:

1. Easier to Share: Unlike the lengthy, complex URLs that were automatically generated for Google listings in the past, short URLs are clean and easy to share on social media, business cards, flyers, and emails.
2. Encourages Reviews: One of the biggest challenges for businesses is getting customers to leave reviews. By sharing a short, simple URL, businesses can directly invite customers to their Google listing and make it easy for them to write a review.
3. Increased Branding: A short name reinforces the business brand because it is customizable and consistent with the business name or slogan. This boosts recognition and trust among customers.
4. Improved Customer Interaction: Short URLs simplify the customer journey by providing a direct link to essential business information like location, hours, phone number, and reviews.

How to Create a Short Name and Short URL

Creating a short name and URL for your business on Google My Business is straightforward:

1. Log in to your Google My Business account.
2. From the dashboard, select the location or business you want to manage.
3. In the left-hand menu, click on “Info.”
4. Find the option “Add profile short name” and click the pencil/edit icon.
5. Enter your desired short name (between 5-32 characters). Keep it relevant to your business and easy to remember.
6. Click “Apply.” Google will review your short name, and once approved, it will be live.google my business short name

Once your short name is active, you can use g.page/yourshortname as your business’s short URL.

Best Practices for Choosing a Short Name

When selecting your short name, keep the following best practices in mind:

• Keep it simple: Choose a name that is easy to spell and type.
• Make it unique: Short names are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If your desired name is taken, you may need to add a location or keyword (e.g., johnscoffeeshopnyc).
• Align with your brand: Use a name that reflects your business name or a recognizable variation.

Potential Use Cases for Short URLs

Short URLs have a variety of uses across marketing and customer engagement efforts:

• Promotions: Include your short URL on promotional materials to guide customers directly to your Google listing for special offers.
• Social Media: Post the short URL on your social profiles or in bio sections for easy access.
• Email Signatures: Add the short URL to your email signature to encourage reviews or visits to your business page.
• Receipts and Invoices: Include the link on customer receipts or invoices as a reminder to leave feedback.

Managing and Editing Short Names

Once you create a short name, you can update or delete it if needed. However, if you delete your short name, it may not be available again for use, either by you or someone else. Therefore, it’s advisable to choose carefully and avoid frequent changes.

Businesses should also monitor their short URLs to ensure they are working properly and that no issues arise with the business listing.

Limitations and Considerations

Although this feature is highly beneficial, there are a few limitations to note:

• Short names must adhere to Google’s guidelines for business names and cannot include prohibited content.
• Not all businesses may be eligible immediately; the feature was initially rolled out gradually.
• If a business violates Google’s policies, the short name could be removed or disabled.

Final Thoughts

Google My Business short names and short URLs offer a simple but powerful way for businesses to improve their online visibility and customer interaction. By providing an easy-to-remember link to their Google profile, businesses can boost their chances of receiving customer reviews, increasing foot traffic, and sharing accurate information with potential customers.

Whether you’re a small local shop or a growing chain, taking advantage of this feature is a smart move to stay ahead in today’s competitive digital landscape. If you haven’t claimed your short name yet, now is the time to secure it and start sharing your short URL with the world! google my business short name