“It is really important we help small businesses to flourish by buying from local shops and helping them to go digital to stay connected with the customers. We can educate them about the importance of reviews to boost their confidence and suggest areas where they can change and improve.” - @FalguniP, Local Guide Level 8
This is just one of the many incredible statements I’ve read recently that capture the spirit of the Local Guides community. While life has changed for many of us, one thing remains a constant; we’re committed to helping others around the world when they need it the most. It’s been so inspiring to see all of the innovative ways you’ve been coming together virtually over the past few months, like this meet-up where Local Guides shared ways they can support small businesses.
We know many of you have been asking about ways to help your local communities on Google Maps.
Many businesses are hurting and being forced to change how they operate, and the information that you helped provide before might no longer be accurate. We know many of you have been asking about ways to help your local communities on Google Maps. We’re working hard to give everyone the necessary tools to make sure that your local communities are reflected accurately on Google Maps, and I wanted to take this moment to share a few ideas with you.
As businesses start to re-open, owners might not have the time to keep their online business listing up-to-date. If you know a business has reopened to the public, but it’s still marked as closed on Google Search or Maps, you can report it as re-opened. Alternatively, we’ve recently introduced the ability to mark a business as ‘temporarily closed.’
New features rolling out on Google Search will now show if local businesses are looking for help (in certain areas). See which businesses in your area are offering gift cards or asking for donations and then share this information with your friends and family. We are continuing to expand this to more businesses in more countries, so continue to check back.
Many businesses are adopting new methods to serve their customers. For example, restaurants have pivoted to delivery or curbside pickup, some stores are accepting contactless payments, and more. Since this is typically new information and it isn’t always reflected accurately, you can bring this info to the Map by submitting a place update on the About tab.
And let’s not forget about the power of an informative review or helpful photo; these have never been more important for the businesses you love. Even if you’re ordering from a restaurant instead of dining in, you can leave them a review or take a photo of your takeout dish to support them at this time. Consider sharing storefront photos, too. While we know Local Guides love to share the inside of places they visit, today it’s equally as important for people to see what the outside looks like. We encourage you to take extra care to note new offerings like whether the business is wheelchair accessible.
While the updates you’re making to Google Maps may be new and slightly different than you’re used to, fresh information is more important than ever to help the people in your community and the businesses you care about.
We know the world looks different today than it did just a few months ago, and it will continue to change. Local Guides will be so important to help ensure that this new world is accurately reflected on Google Maps. We so appreciate your positivity and dedication and look forward to sharing more ways we can do this together.
Do you have other tips for supporting local businesses? We’d love to hear how you’re helping in the comments below.
