Google recommends changes to make small businesses more discoverable

Google India has listed some changes that small and medium businesses could make in their Google My Business accounts to help them connect with customers better and enable easier discovery.

Google My Business is a free tool that organisations can use to manage their online presence across Google platforms.

The company suggests that companies put in place a Covid-19 update column on their sites, which would show customers any change in operational hours, whether the business is temporarily shut and if they provide delivery services or take pre-orders. It could also list the safety and hygiene practices required for their business, the company added.

Read: Coronavirus India live updates 

These updates will help individuals who use its services, such as Google Maps, to seek out nearby businesses that stock essential products. As companies cannot communicate these changes in person during the lockdown, these recommendations will be helpful, the company said. 

Read: Google pledges $6.5 mn to curb spread of Covid-19 misinformation

To mark a business as temporarily closed, one must sign in to their Google My Business account, click on the ‘info’ icon from the menu on the left and click on ‘mark as temporarily closed’, it said. 

For restaurants that want to add takeout and delivery options to their services, one must click on the ‘info’ icon, choose the pencil icon next to ‘add attributes’ and then click on ‘enable dining modes’ to choose their preferences, it added. 

The Mountain View, California headquartered company said the preferences chosen in the account will show up on Google Search results as well as on Google Maps.