Google Business Profile Websites Discontinued.

Embracing New Digital Horizons for SMEs as Google will be discontinuing their Google Business Profile websites. Businesses that use this service and would like to maintain their online presence will need to rebuild their sites using an alternative platform.

What is a Google Business Profile Website?

Google offers an easy service for small businesses to create a quick website based on the information in their Google My Business profile. Without any knowledge of programming, businesses could increase their online visibility quickly by automatically using information from their business profile.

Business owners could customize their websites with photos, themes, texts, and more. The website was automatically up-to-date with any changes in their business profile. Such as operating hours or contact information.

Websites made with Google Business Profiles will be turned off soon.

Google has announced that it will be discontinuing websites created through Google Business Profiles. This change is set to take effect on March 1, 2024. From this date, any attempts to access these websites will automatically redirect users to the corresponding Google Business Profile. However, this redirection will only be active until June 10, 2024. After June 10, visitors attempting to access these sites will encounter a “page not found” error.

What are the options to move forward?

There are plenty of alternative solutions, so no reason to panic for businesses that have been relying on Google Business Profile websites for their online presence

Google has suggested various platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Google Sites, Shopify, and WordPress for building new websites. Additionally, businesses are advised to update their Business Profile with the new site address before the deadline to ensure a smooth transition.

For those who have set up a custom domain to direct traffic to their Google Business Profile website, it’s important to manage this transition by logging into their hosting company account and selecting a redirection option to a different website before the specified date.

We are here if you require any additional assistance to update your Google Business Profile. We can migrate your services, create your new website on another platform and make sure you don’t lose any online visibility with your business if you were using the discontinued Google Business Profile Website.

Our advice for affected businesses

Choose a new website platform

If you want to remain online with your business, you should look for alternative website-building platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Wix, SquareSpace, …

Inform your customers and communicate your changes

Let your customers know about your changes through email newsletters, social media, or other communication channels. It’s a great way to instantly promote your brand-new website!

Plan for SEO and Online Visibility

Remember, your Google Business Profile website likely had good SEO integration with Google Search and Maps, so try to maintain this with your new site. Ensure your new website is optimized for search engines. This includes proper use of keywords, meta descriptions, and high-quality content. Transfer any important information from your Google Business Profile website to your new website.

Update your Google Business Profile

Once your new website is live, update the website link in your Google Business Profile to direct customers to your new site.

Setup proper redirects if possible

If you already used a custom domain for your Google Business Profile website, set up redirects to your new website to avoid losing traffic.

Seek professional help if needed

We’re here for you if you’re not comfortable with setting up a new website. Discover the benefits of the digital world without losing any sleep.

What not to do?

Google and many other providers suggest that you can also continue with Google Sites. But as Google is discontinuing their Google Business Profile Sites and suggesting other platforms, we would not advice continuing with Google Sites.

Doing nothing is also not advised. Doing nothing may result in losing positions on Google Maps. As the information and links on your Google Business profile might become incorrect and lead users to a 404 page.