Websites made with Google Business Profiles will be turned off in March. Customers attempting to visit those websites will be automatically redirected to your Business Profile until June 10. Beyond this date, visitors will encounter a “page not found” error.
If your Ads campaign is linked to a website from Google Business Profile, either change the link before March 1 to keep your ads running or choose to pause your campaigns.
Why we care. Businesses wanting to maintain their own website must create a new site using alternative tools, then update their Business Profile with the new site address before the deadline to ensure a smooth transition. Not only will this affect many businesses; it is likely to be a heavy lift for those that have created — and wish to preserve — multiple profiles, for different locations, for example, or for different divisions within the business.
Alternative tools. Google suggested using one of the following platforms to build a new website for your business:
- Wix.
- Squarespace.
- GoDaddy.
- Google Sites.
- Shopify.
- WordPress.
Third-party domains. If you’ve set up a custom domain to direct traffic to your Google Business Profile website, visitors to this domain will be redirected to your Business Profile until June 10. To manage this transition, log in to your hosting company account and select the “Redirect” option or a similar feature to reroute your third-party domain to a different website before the specified date.
The post Google to shut down Business Profiles websites appeared first on MarTech.
Google has announced that it will be closing down its Business Profiles websites, a feature that allowed businesses to create a simple, one-page website for their company. The decision comes as Google shifts its focus towards other tools and services for businesses.
The Business Profiles websites were first introduced in 2017 as a way for small businesses to establish an online presence without the need for a full-fledged website. The service was free and allowed businesses to create a basic webpage with their contact information, hours of operation, and a brief description of their products or services.
However, Google has now decided to discontinue the service, citing a lack of usage and the availability of other tools that better serve the needs of businesses. The company has not provided a specific date for when the service will be shut down, but has stated that it will be in the near future.
Businesses that currently have a Business Profiles website will need to find an alternative solution for their online presence. Google has recommended that businesses use Google My Business, a tool that allows companies to manage their online information across Google’s various platforms, including search and maps.
Google My Business also offers a website builder tool that allows businesses to create a more robust website with additional features such as custom domain names and e-commerce capabilities. This tool is also free to use, making it a suitable replacement for the Business Profiles websites.
The closure of the Business Profiles websites is part of a larger trend of tech companies streamlining their services and focusing on their core offerings. Google has been known to regularly discontinue products and services that are not widely used or do not align with the company’s overall strategy.
While the closure of the Business Profiles websites may be disappointing for some businesses, it is important to remember that there are many other options available for creating an online presence. With tools like Google My Business and other website builders, businesses can still establish a strong online presence and reach their customers effectively.
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