When was the last time you needed to find a place to eat, buy something, or figure out where to go for fun?
If you’re like most folks, you probably pulled out your phone, typed it into Google or asked Google Maps. And just like that—you had a list of places nearby!
Well, guess what? People looking to buy sheds and portable buildings are doing the exact same thing. They’re typing in “sheds near me” or “portable buildings near me” on Google. If your business isn’t showing up, you’re leaving money on the table!
Why Does Google Matter?
- Google is the #1 search engine.
- It’s where people go for local searches.
- Your business can show up on Google Maps.
- People even find businesses through voice searches by saying things like “Hey Google, find shed dealers near me.”
The Good News: Google Business Profiles are Free!
Your business might already be on Google, even if you never set it up. But if you’re not actively managing it, you’remissing out. It’s like having a billboard on the highway that no one can read!
Here’s how to fix that:
4 Easy Steps to Take Control of Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
1. Claim Your Business
- Go to Google and search for your dealership.
- If it pops up (it will look something like the image above), there’s an option to “Claim this business.” Do it!
- Google will walk you through the steps.
2. Optimize Your Profile
- Add your correct business hours, phone number, website, and photos of your lot and sheds.
- The more complete your profile, the more people will trust you.
3. Get Reviews and Respond to Them
- Happy customers? Ask them to leave a quick review.
- Reply to every review – good or bad. It shows you care and helps your ranking.
- Keep and eye out for future blog posts that share how to get more reviews and easy ways to respond to them!
4. Keep Your Profile Updated
- Post when you have new inventory or sales.
- If your hours change, update them. Google likes active business and will show them more often.
- Holiday Hours – if you are going to be closed for a holiday, be sure to update your holiday hours on Google Maps so a potential customer doesn’t miss you!
How to Get Reviews and Respond to Them
In 2024, the number of 4-star and 5-star reviews your business has was one of the top 10 factors that affect where you show up on Google—some experts rank it as high as #7! More positive reviews mean better visibility, more trust, and more foot traffic to your lot. The good news? Most happy customers are glad to leave a review—they just need a little nudge and an easy way to do it.
Here’s a simple email or text message you can send to ask for reviews:
Subject: Quick favor?
Body:
Hi [Customer Name],
Thanks again for buying your shed from us! If you’re happy with your experience, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It helps other folks find us and supports our small business.
👉 [Insert your “Write a Review” link here]
We sure appreciate your time and support!
– [Your Name / Dealership Name]
How to Get Your "Write a Review" Link:
- Search for your business name on Google.
- Click on your business listing (if you manage it).
- Look for the section that says “Ask for Reviews”
- Copy that link (yellow box in image) – this is your “Write a Review” link you can email or text to customers.
Want a QR Code You Can Print and Display?
- Follow the steps above and when you get to Step 3, find the QR Code (blue box in the image above).
- Right-click on the QR code image and select “Save Image As…”
- Download the QR code image.
- Print it and hang it up at your office, on your counter, or near the checkout area with a note like:
“Happy with your shed? Leave us a quick Google review – just scan this!”
Don't Forget to Respond to Reviews
Reply to every review – good or bad. Thank people for positive feedback and keep responses to negative ones calm and respectful. Responding shows you care and builds trust with future customers.
How Do GPBs Affect Leads/Sales?
Your Google Business Profile isn’t just a listing—it’s a lead machine. When someone nearby searches for sheds or barns, Google shows local businesses first, especially ones with complete profiles and good reviews. If your GBP has updated info, solid photos, and strong customer ratings, you’ll show up more often in search results. That means more people clicking, calling, and walking onto your lot. In short: managing your GBP can directly turn local searches into real sales.
“Google Business Profiles with the BarnDealer site as the “Website” see 2-3x more leads come in than GBPs with different websites featured.”
Other Places You Can Get Traffic
While Google is the big one, don’t forget:
- Google reviews help people choose your dealership over others.
- Facebook – Share posts about your inventory and sales.
- Facebook Marketplace – Post sheds for sale to get more eyeballs on your products.
- Always recommend people visit your website to see what’s on your lot.
SEO And BarnDealer Websites (Coming Soon!)
In our next post, we’ll be taking a deeper look at SEO and what makes BarnDealer sites work better than trying to DIY with Wix, SquareSpace or other site builders. Stay tuned for that post!
In Conclusion
This stuff isn’t rocket science – but it does make a big difference. Take a few minutes to claim and polish up your Google Business Profile and make sure your website is doing the heavy lifting. If you need help, we’re right here at BarnDealer.
👉 Keep an eye out for our blog for more easy-to-follow tips.
👉 Need help? Email us at support@barndealer.com or Chat With Us!
👉 For a step-by-step guide to setting up your GBP, we have made and are curating support articles tailored to your business needs. Check them out here!
