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Updated summer hours make a difference for customers
Thursday, June 25, 2015
It’s the first official week of summer! That means searches for warm weather favorites like
iced coffee
and
BBQ
are spiking and business owners are updating their hours to accommodate summer tastes and needs. But what good are seasonal hours if your customers don’t know about them? To welcome businesses into the start of summer, we’re shedding some sunshine on the importance of updating your business hours.
In a fresh round of new Google research, we found that:
25% of small businesses change their operating hours during the summer.
1
Most business owners aren’t cutting back for R&R, they’re extending their hours and staying open even longer.
2
Yet since the unofficial start of summer (Memorial Day), only 1% of businesses have adjusted their hours on Google My Business.
3
The states where businesses have changed their hours most on Google My Business are Ohio, Delaware, and Wisconsin.
4
Keeping customers happy
84% of consumers turn to search engines to gather information for local purchases and 52% look specifically for business hours.
5
However, according to a 2013 survey, over 50% of consumers have visited a business to find that its hours had changed, and 44% report having an outing “ruined” by the incorrect information.
6
Show up in key moments
So how can you let customers know about your summer hours? Today we’re launching
gybo.com/summer
as a way for businesses to see how their hours currently show up on Google. If you haven’t already, claim your business listing on Google My Business and then update your hours. Once your hours are updated, people will see them when they look for you on Google Search and Maps. Closing early next Friday? No problem. You can can change your hours on Google My Business on Thursday and avoid having any disappointed customers on Friday.
The value for small businesses
Starting in July,
Sedona Golf Resort
in Arizona opens early, so golfers can hit the course in the morning and beat the midday heat.
Kid’s Science Labs
in Chicago also extends hours. Co-founder Keith Norsym says,“We open earlier, at 8am and stay open until 5:30pm to allow parents to drop-off and pick up their kids conveniently.” The summer schedule allows them to infuse a bit more science into summer vacation.
We want to help small business connect with customers in the moments that matter this summer. Businesses with complete listings are 2x as likely to be considered reputable by consumers.
7
That means this simple change can make a big difference. Not to mention, it’s free and only takes a few minutes–so that you can get off the computer and get those burgers onto the grill.
1. Written by Google and conducted using Google Consumer Surveys, June 2015
2. Written by Google and conducted using Google Consumer Surveys, June 2015
3. Google My Business data, June 2015
4. Google My Business data, June 2015
5. Source: Ipsos MORI, Impact of Search Listings for Local Businesses, August 2014
6. InfoGroup, Real-Time in the Real-World: Local Search Driving Need for Faster Business Data, 2013
7. Google/Oxera, The Benefits of Complete Business Listings, December 2014
Building a Proud Community with Google My Business
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
No two businesses are the same. And for small business owners, their unique character is vital for their success and keeps their loyal customers coming back.
Hailee Bland Walsh, the owner of City Gym in Kansas City, believes her gym “should be more than a place to workout. It should be a place to belong." She uses
Google My Business
to share that her gym is a safe place where everyone is welcome.
This message has been especially meaningful for Jake who recently returned to City Gym for the first time after having surgery. For him, City Gym has been an integral part of his transition from female to male, providing a place to explore his changing body and a community of support for him and his friends.
In recognition of LGBT Pride Month, we are excited to share the story of Hailee and Jake, and the power of the web to connect remarkable businesses like City Gym with their people.
Posted by Arjan Dijk
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