As of March 2024, over 21.7 million sites created on the platform will be closed, and their visitors redirected to their associated Google Business Profiles.
What does that mean for you? In this guide, we’ll explain wh the shutdown [urlhttps://telemadata.com/vietnam-phone-numbers]Bahrain Phone Numbers[/url] means and how you can avoid losing your online traffic.
Table of Contents
Google Business Profile Websites Closure Details
Steps to Replace Your GBP Website with WordPress
1. Choose a New Web Hosting Service
2. Design Your Site with a Website Builder
3. Optimize Your Business Website for Local SEO
4. Add Your Website to Google Business Profile
5. Redirect Your Custom Domain Name
What Are Google Business Profile Websites?
Google Business Profile websites were a quick and easy way to generate a website for free using information from your Google Business Profile.
Previously, when creating a Business Profile, there was an option to add your website. If you didn’t already have one, Google allowed you to create one with its website builder.
Around 78% of local business searches end in physical visits within a week. And its these websites that helped drive traffic and in-person visits from local search results.
Business website in google local search
To be clear, Google Business Profiles (GBP) are not shutting down. It’s only the free website you could build that is closing.
With this in mind, let’s look at the details of the closure.
Google Business Profile Websites Closure Details
Here is all the information you need about the scheduled shutdown from Google:
Google Business Profile websites will shut down in March 2024. Google did not give a specific day for this.
Customers visiting a website made with Google Business Profile will be redirected to your Business Profile.
The redirection will continue working until June 2024, after which they’ll see a 404 error.
Again, we want to repeat that Google Business Profiles themselves are not closing. In fact, we recommend that all local businesses and nonprofits make one.
Research from Whitespark found that Google Business Profiles are among the top ranking factors.
Local search ranking factor groups research from Whitespark.
Information in your GBP can appear in multiple formats, including Google Maps, which helps potential customers find you more easily.
How Can I Replace My Google Business Profile Website?
Since you’ll no longer have a website when GBP sites close, we recommend looking for a replacement right away.
If you don’t, potential customers won’t have a place to learn more about your business before visiting. This may cause them to go with a competitor instead.
Luckily, you can replace your Google Business Profile website easily with WordPress.
Why Choose WordPress for Your Business Website?
