You may have heard about Google Business Profiles and the importance of having a video. While you may not have the ability to record a high-quality video about your business, you can create one with Canva.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a way for businesses to showcase who they are, what they do, where they’re located, and so much more. Having a Google Business Profile is crucial for businesses aiming to increase their online presence. But what takes your GBP to the next level? A well-crafted video.
Why a Google Business Profile Video is Essential
Having a video on your Google Business Profile is a game-changer in how you present your brand online. Consumers have nearly endless options on the internet, but a video can serve as a dynamic, engaging tool that cuts through the noise, allowing your business to stand out. It provides a unique opportunity to visually showcase your products or services, share your brand’s story, and connect with potential customers on an emotional level. Videos can convey complex messages quickly and memorably, offering a richer, more immersive experience than text or images alone. Google prioritizes engaging content, meaning a well-crafted video can significantly enhance your visibility and SEO, driving more traffic to your profile. Incorporating a video into your Google Business Profile is an invaluable strategy for boosting your online presence, enhancing customer engagement, and ultimately helping with business growth.
Getting Started with Your Video
Planning Your Video Content
Highlighting Your Business’s Unique Selling Points: Identify what sets your business apart and focus on these elements in your video.
Crafting a Compelling Story: Narrate your business’s story in a way that connects with your audience, fostering a deeper engagement.
Photo and Video Requirements
After you choose the photos or videos you want to add to your Business Profile, make sure of the following:
- Photos and videos follow our content policies.
- Photos are in either JPG or PNG format.
- Photos are the correct size.
- Videos follow our guidelines.
Video Guidelines
Make sure your videos meet the following requirements:
- Duration: Up to 30 seconds long
- File size: Up to 75 MB
- Resolution: 720p or higher
Creating Your Video with Canva: Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather about six quality pictures of your business and save them in a folder together on your computer. They should ideally sum up the key components of your business.
- Sign into your Canva account or create an account if you don’t have one already.
- Once signed in and on the home page, click the purple “Create a design” button in the top right corner.
- A drop-down menu will appear. Select “slideshow video”.
- Upload the images you selected at the beginning. Click “Upload files” and select the six images. They will then show up in the “uploads” section.
- Drag and drop one photo to each slide. Select the images in the order in which you want to tell the story of your business or showcase your product/services.
- Adjust the image to fit the page.
- Once the images are ready to go, then add your logo. If it’s not uploaded already, upload the logo to Canva and add it to your slideshow.
- Drag the logo and place it wherever you want it to go.
- Go to the “Text” section in Canva. Click the “body” text and move it to where you’d like it to go on the image.
- Include your USP (unique selling proposition) in that text box. Keep it short. The video cannot be longer than 30 seconds based on Google’s guidelines.
- You can adjust the duration of each slide. It should be around 5 seconds to keep it at the 30-second mark.
- Include a call to action (CTA) on the last slide of the video.
- Click the plus sign between the slides at the bottom of the Canva page to add transitions between images. The “dissolve” option is a good choice for this type of video. Then select “apply to all”.
- Add sound to give it a natural and smooth video feel. Go to “Elements” and select “Audio”. Add an upbeat audio and drag it to the bottom – below the slides. You can also choose to add a voice-over if you’d like.
- Watch your slideshow to ensure the audio, images, text, and flow are the way you want them. Once you like everything, it’s time to download it.
- Select “Download” from the top right corner and a box will appear. Make sure under file type it says “MP4 Video” and that “All pages” is selected. Then press “Download” and the file will download to your computer.
Your video is ready to go!
Add Your Video to Your Google Business Profile
Now, it’s time to add it to your Google Business Profile.
- Make sure you’re signed into the account that manages the profile. Search your business name and location and your dashboard should appear.
- Click “Add Photo” and the “Photo”. Go to “Select photos or video” and upload your video file.
- Once the video uploads, you’ll get an error message that says, “NOT APPROVED”. Be prepared that this message will show up, but don’t be alarmed. Check back in a few days and your video should show on your profile.
Best Practices for Google Business Profile Videos
Keep It Professional: While creativity is encouraged, maintaining a professional tone and appearance is crucial for business videos.
Optimize for SEO: Incorporate relevant keywords in your video’s title and description to enhance visibility on Google searches.
Review Your Video: Before uploading, ensure your video meets Google’s requirements and reflects your brand message accurately.
Upload to Google Business Profile: Follow Google’s guidelines for uploading your video to your GBP, making sure it’s visible to your audience.
Final Thoughts
Creating a video for your Google Business Profile using Canva not only amplifies your online presence but also provides a creative avenue to connect with your audience on a more personal level. By adhering to the best practices and requirements detailed above, you can craft a compelling video that showcases the essence of your brand.
Not seeing the results and online presence you’re looking for? We put into action GBP best practices to help make your Google Profile an effective part of your marketing. Let’s talk about online presence and your GBP. Give us a call today and follow us on social media to stay up to date and get more tips and tricks to help your small business.