1. Go to your Google Business Profile.

2. Click the Messages tab.

3. Click the Settings gear icon.

4. Under Message settings, toggle the Turn on messages switch to on.

5. If you want, you can also enable Auto-replies. This will allow you to send automated messages to customers who message your business.

6. To create a post, click the Promote tab and then click Post.

7. Enter a title and description for your post. You can also add images, videos, and links.

8. Click Publish to share your post.

Once you have set up Google Business Profile messages and posts, you can start interacting with your customers and promoting your business.

Here are some best practices for using Google Business Profile messages & posts:

• Be clear and concise in your messages & posts.

• Use eye-catching images and videos.

• Use relevant hashtags.

• Encourage customers to interact with your messages & posts.

• Respond to customer comments and questions promptly.

To boost sales, create a variety of posts:

• Promotions: Share limited-time discounts or sales.

• Product Highlights: Showcase your best-selling or new products.

• Event Announcements: Promote events or workshops.

• Customer Testimonials: Share positive reviews to build trust.

• Educational Content: Provide tips or industry insights related to your products or services.

Post regularly, at least once a week, to keep your profile active. The timing depends on your audience; consider posting during peak engagement hours, typically mid-morning or early afternoon. 

Respond promptly and professionally to messages. Answer questions, address concerns, and be courteous. Use templated responses for common queries to save time. 

Yes, use posts to promote sales, discounts, and special offers. Include compelling visuals and clear details about the promotion's duration and any required codes. 

Google Insights for Google Business Profile owners provides valuable insights into how customers are interacting with your business on Google. This information can help you to improve your Google Business Profile and make it more visible to potential customers.

Here is a list of the information that Google Insights provides for GBP owners:

• How customers are finding your business: This includes the keywords that people are using to find your business on Google, as well as the devices and platforms they are using.

• How customers are engaging with your business: This includes the number of views your business has received, the number of calls you have received, and the number of directions that have been requested.

• What customers are saying about your business: This includes reviews, ratings, and questions that customers have asked about your business.

• How your business compares to similar businesses: This includes information on how your business ranks for relevant keywords, as well as how many calls and directions you have received compared to other businesses in your industry.

Google Insights can be a valuable tool for GBP owners who want to improve their online presence and make it easier for potential customers to find their business. By understanding how customers are interacting with your business, you can make changes to your Google Business Profile to improve your visibility and reach more customers.

You can also track the results of your Google Business Profile messages & posts using Google Analytics. Google Analytics can provide you with more data on how many people have seen your messages & posts, how many people have clicked on your links, and how many people have taken other actions, such as visiting your website or calling your business.

Google Business Profile enhances sales by increasing online visibility, building trust through reviews, and providing a platform to promote products, services, and events directly to potential customers.

Encourage reviews by:

• Providing exceptional service.

• Requesting reviews from satisfied customers.

• Including a review request link in follow-up emails.

• Responding to existing reviews, both positive and negative, professionally.

While Google Business Profile itself is free, consider Google Ads for paid advertising options, including local search ads and display ads to complement your profile's organic reach. 

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to update information, responding to negative reviews defensively, overloading posts with excessive content, and failing to monitor and respond to messages. 

Integrate Google Business Profile by ensuring consistency with your brand, cross-promoting posts on other social media platforms, and aligning your posts with broader marketing goals and campaigns. 

Currently, Google Business Profile posts are visible to anyone searching for your business. However, you can indirectly target specific demographics and locations by tailoring your post content to your target audience's interests and needs.