Is Microsoft’s Bing Places For Business Worth Your Time?

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Where your business appears in online searches can make or break your success. You've heard of Google Business Profile, a widely-known tool for boosting your online presence. But have you considered its counterpart in the search engine world? Microsoft's Bing Places for Business offers a similar promise, a chance to shine in the digital spotlight.

Imagine your business as a hidden treasure in the vast sea of the internet. Just as Google Business Profile helps you put your business on the map, Bing Places for Business is your compass to navigate the online landscape effectively. It's all about enhancing your visibility, connecting with your target audience, and ultimately, growing your business.

In our exploration, we'll take a thorough look at Bing Places for Business. We'll put it side by side with the familiar Google Business Profile, uncovering what sets each apart in terms of their special features and potential advantages. The big question we aim to answer is this: Could Microsoft's platform become be the secret weapon your business needs to not only survive but to truly thrive? Or might your precious resources be better invested elsewhere?

Key Takeaways

• Your business's online presence can significantly impact its success, making it crucial to be visible in online searches.
• Microsoft's Bing Places for Business offers a comparable opportunity to Google Business Profile, focusing on improving your digital visibility and connecting with your target audience.
• Just as Google Business Profile helps you get noticed, Bing Places for Business acts as a guide to effectively navigate the online world, ultimately contributing to business growth.
• The blog delves into a detailed comparison of Bing Places for Business and Google Business Profile, highlighting their unique features and potential advantages.
• The ultimate question is whether Bing Places for Business could be the secret weapon your business needs or if your resources might be better invested elsewhere, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.

Table of Contents

• What is Bing Places for Business?
• Benefits of using Bing Places for Business
• Bing Places for Business vs Google Business Profile
• Bing vs Google : A Market Share Breakdown
• Is Bing Places for Business Worth Your Time?
• Use Our Digital Marketing Services

What is Bing Places for Business?

Bing Places for Business is a free online platform provided by Microsoft's search engine, Bing. It's designed to help businesses, especially small and local ones, enhance their online presence by listing their company on Bing's search engine and maps. Essentially, it's a tool that allows business owners to manage and control how their information appears in Bing search results and maps.

Here's a closer look at the core components and functionalities of Bing Places for Business:

• Business Listing Management: At its core, Bing Places for Business is a business listing management platform. It allows business owners to create, verify, and manage their business listings on Bing's search engine and maps. This listing includes crucial details such as the business name, address, phone number, website URL, business hours, and a brief description. Accurate and up-to-date information is essential for customers searching for your business online, and Bing Places ensures that your data is consistent and readily available.
• Map Integration: One of the standout features of Bing Places is its integration with Bing Maps. When users search for local businesses or services on Bing Maps, listings from Bing Places are prominently displayed. This integration makes it easy for potential customers to find your physical location and access directions, enhancing the likelihood of them visiting your business.
• Local SEO Enhancement: Bing Places for Business plays a pivotal role in improving a business's local search engine optimization (SEO). When users search for local products or services, Bing prioritizes listings from Bing Places, making it crucial for businesses aiming to capture local customers. An optimized Bing Places listing with relevant keywords and categories can significantly boost your visibility in local search results.
• Customer Engagement: Beyond basic listing management, Bing Places offers various features to engage with your customer base. Business owners can respond to customer reviews and feedback, thereby showcasing a commitment to customer satisfaction. Additionally, you can post updates, share news about your business, and provide essential information like holiday hours or special promotions. This interactive element allows you to connect with your audience directly.
• Analytics and Insights: To gauge the effectiveness of your Bing Places listing, the platform provides access to valuable analytics and insights. You can track how many users have viewed your listing, clicked on your website link, or called your business directly from the search results. This data enables you to assess your listing's performance and make informed adjustments to improve your online presence further.

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Benefits of using Bing Places for Business

Now, let's get down to the nitty gritty and explore why Bing Places for Business could be revolutionary for your business. Here's a closer look at the benefits you stand to gain:

1. Boost Your Website's Visibility in Bing Search Results:

• Bing's Unique Crowd: Bing might not wear the crown in the search engine realm, but it has its own league of users. Some folks simply prefer Bing's style, search algorithms, and its seamless integration with Microsoft goodies like Windows and Microsoft Office. By making your business visible on Bing Places, you're opening the door to this distinctive user base that Google might not reach as effectively.
• Less Hustle and Bustle: Unlike Google, where the competition is fierce, Bing's search scene is less congested. This means your business has a better shot at shining in Bing's search results, especially when it comes to local or niche searches. With fewer competitors in the ring, it's easier to step into the spotlight.
• Local Limelight: If your business mainly caters to a specific region where Bing holds a stronger sway, getting listed on Bing Places can give your local visibility a significant lift. Folks looking for nearby businesses on Bing are more likely to stumble upon your listing.

2. Attract More Customers via Bing Searches:

• Bullseye Targeting: Bing users often represent different demographics and interests compared to Google users. If your products or services align with the preferences of Bing's user base, your presence on Bing Places can help you reel in more relevant and potentially conversion-ready customers.
• Traffic Diversity: Relying solely on Google might mean you're missing out on potential customers who are devout Bing enthusiasts. Expanding your online footprint to encompass Bing ensures you're casting a wider net.
• Mobile Maneuver: Bing serves as the default search engine on Microsoft's Edge browser, commonly used on Windows devices. This makes Bing especially relevant for users on Windows-powered mobile gadgets, expanding your reach even further.

3. Manage Your Business Info from a Single Hub:

• Efficiency Unleashed: Bing Places for Business simplifies the task of managing your business information. It's a one-stop shop where you can keep your details up to date, add eye catching photos, respond to customer reviews, and monitor performance. All from a single, convenient hub, this efficiency saves you time and ensures your online presence remains consistent.
• Info Sync: Keeping your business info accurate and consistent on Bing Places is crucial. It ensures that users browsing Bing search results and Bing Maps find the right details. Discrepancies or outdated information can frustrate potential customers and tarnish your business's credibility

4. Gain Insights into Your Listing's Performance:

• Data-Powered Decision Making: Bing Places offers insights and analytics tools that give you the lowdown on how users interact with your listing. You'll access valuable data on user engagement, the search queries that led folks to your listing, and where these users are located. Armed with these insights, you can make data-driven decisions to fine-tune your online presence.
• Keeping Tabs on Performance: By tracking your listing's performance over time, you'll spot trends, gauge the effectiveness of your optimization efforts, and make informed tweaks to enhance your visibility and expand your reach.

In a nutshell, Bing Places for Business packs a punch with benefits ranging from improved visibility in Bing search results to connecting with a unique user base. When you strategically employ Bing Places alongside other online platforms, you broaden your horizons and tap into potential customers who prefer Bing's search environment. Moreover, the streamlined management and valuable insights delivered by Bing Places make it a valuable tool for businesses looking to amp up their online game.

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Bing Places for Business vs Google Business Profile

Now that we have a clear understanding of what Bing Places for Business offers, it's time to draw a comparison with its prominent counterpart, Google Business Profile. Both platforms share similar objectives: to help businesses enhance their online visibility and engage with local customers. However, there are distinct differences that can significantly impact your choice as a business owner.

1. User Base and Market Share:

• Google Business Profile: Google is the undisputed leader in the search engine market, holding a substantial share worldwide. When it comes to local searches, Google's dominance is even more pronounced. Businesses that prioritize Google Business Profile can tap into a massive user base, making it an attractive option for reaching a broad audience.
• Bing Places for Business: While Microsoft's Bing may not have Google's market share, it's still a formidable player, particularly in certain regions and demographics. Bing Places can be a strategic choice for businesses looking to target specific audiences or regions where Bing has a more substantial presence.

2. Integration:

• Google Business Profile: Google seamlessly integrates its business listings with Google Maps, Google Search, and other Google services. This extensive integration means that when users search for businesses or services on Google Maps or through Google Search, Google Business Profile listings appear prominently.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places integrates with Bing Maps and Bing search results, offering similar advantages but on a smaller scale compared to Google's ecosystem. If you prioritize Bing as a search engine, this integration can be beneficial for capturing local search traffic.

3. Ease of Use:

• Google Business Profile: Google's platform is known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process. It's designed to be accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places is also user-friendly, but some users may find Google's interface slightly more intuitive. However, it still provides essential tools for managing listings effectively.

4. Mobile-Friendliness:

• Google Business Profile: Given Google's emphasis on mobile search, Google Business Profile listings are well-optimized for mobile devices. This is crucial as an increasing number of users access local business information via smartphones.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places listings are also mobile-friendly, ensuring that businesses can reach users on the go.

5. Features and Functionality:

• Google Business Profile: Google offers a wide array of features, including the ability to post updates, add photos, respond to reviews, and even run Google Ads campaigns directly from the platform. Google's review system is well-established, and the platform provides detailed insights into user interactions with your listing.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places provides essential features such as listing management, customer engagement, and insights. While it may not offer as extensive a feature set as Google, it still covers the fundamental needs of businesses looking to establish a strong online presence.

6. Reviews and Reputation Management:

• Google Business Profile: Google's review system is highly influential, and user reviews can significantly impact your business's online reputation. The platform provides tools to respond to reviews, demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction, and address any concerns.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places also includes a review system, but it may not carry the same weight as Google's reviews. However, for businesses with a significant Bing user base, these reviews are still valuable.

7. Cost:

• Google Business Profile: Like Bing Places, Google Business Profile is entirely free. However, Google does offer optional advertising services, such as Google Ads, which come with their respective costs.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places for Business is entirely free to use, making it an appealing option for businesses with budget constraints.

8. Geographic Reach:

• Google Business Profile: Google's reach is global, making it suitable for businesses targeting both local and international audiences.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing has a strong presence in certain regions, making it a strategic choice for businesses focused on specific geographic areas.

9. Analytics and Insights:

• Google Business Profile: Google provides comprehensive analytics, including data on how users discovered your business, customer actions, and more.
• Bing Places for Business: Bing Places offers analytics but may not have the depth and breadth of Google's insights.

Which Platform is More Suitable for Your Business?

The choice between Bing Places for Business and Google Business Profile largely depends on your specific business goals, target audience, geographic focus, and preferences. Here are some considerations:

• Google Business Profile is an excellent choice if you want to reach a broad, global audience, prioritize mobile users, and benefit from extensive integrations with Google services. It's also a top choice for businesses in highly competitive markets.
• Bing Places for Business can be advantageous if your target audience aligns with Bing's user base, you have a specific regional focus, or you want to diversify your online presence beyond Google.

Ultimately, many businesses choose to leverage both platforms to maximize their online visibility and reach.

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Bing vs Google : A Market Share Breakdown

The global internet market share is dominated by a few major players, with Google leading the way. Google has a 92.58% market share of the global search engine market. This means that for every 100 internet searches that are performed, over 92 are performed on Google.

The remaining 7.42% of the global search engine market share is divided among a number of other companies, including:

• Microsoft Bing: 3.01%
• Yahoo!: 1.24%
• Baidu: 1.02%
• Yandex: 0.95%
• DuckDuckGo: 0.59%

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the market share of Bing and Google in different regions and categories:

• Global search engine market share: Google 92.58%, Bing 3.01%
• US search engine market share: Google 86.71%, Bing 6.47%
• UK search engine market share: Google 92.21%, Bing 2.97%
• Canadian search engine market share: Google 91.85%, Bing 2.95%
• Australian search engine market share: Google 92.12%, Bing 2.98%
• Desktop search engine market share: Google 83.49%, Bing 9.19%
• Mobile search engine market share: Google 91.58%, Bing 3.01%

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It is important to note that the global internet market share is constantly changing, and the numbers above may vary slightly depending on the source. However, Google's dominance of the search engine market is clear. Let's explore additional statistics!

The age demographics of Bing and Google users are as follows:

Bing

• 18-24: 13%
• 25-34: 23%
• 35-44: 25%
• 45-54: 20%
• 55-64: 17%
• 65+: 12%

Google

• 18-24: 25%
• 25-34: 30%
• 35-44: 24%
• 45-54: 15%
• 55-64: 11%
• 65+: 5%

As you can see, Bing is more popular among older users than Google. This is likely because Bing is the default search engine on Microsoft devices, which are popular among older users.

statistics by search type:

• Voice search: Google has a dominant market share in voice search, with over 90% of the market. Bing is a distant second, with a market share of less than 10%.
• Image search: Google also has a dominant market share in image search, with over 90% of the market. Bing is again a distant second, with a market share of less than 10%.
• Video search: YouTube, which is owned by Google, is the most popular video search platform in the world. Bing Video is a distant second, with a much smaller market share.
• Mobile search: Google has a dominant market share in mobile search, with over 90% of the market. Bing is again a distant second, with a market share of less than 10%.
• Paid search: Google AdWords is the most popular paid search platform in the world. Bing Ads is a distant second, with a much smaller market share.

In addition to these stats, it is also worth noting that Google has a number of other advantages over Bing, such as:

• Brand awareness: Google is much better known than Bing. This is because Google has been around for longer and has invested heavily in advertising.
• Ecosystem: Google has a wide range of other products and services, such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube. This makes Google more attractive to many users.
• Innovation: Google is constantly innovating and adding new features to its search engine. Bing is often slower to adopt new features.

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Is Bing Places for Business Worth Your Time?

In a nutshell, the answer is a resounding YES, setting up and optimizing your Bing Places for Business profile is a smart move for your business. Running a business can be challenging, and it's crucial to seize every opportunity to be seen by potential customers. We don't just suggest that it's a good idea; we'd go as far as to say that you're doing yourself a disservice by not setting up your Bing Places for Business profile. Two key reasons that stand out to us, based on our experience with clients, are that Bing tends to cater to an older demographic, and when executed correctly, it's considerably easier to achieve higher rankings. However, the extent of time and resources you allocate to it can vary based on your unique needs and goals.

As a business owner, there are numerous platforms to manage, and time is always limited. If you're short on time but have the budget to spare, we highly recommend enlisting the services of a professional, such as ourselves, for daily management and optimization. On the flip side, if your resources are limited but you have the time to invest, we encourage you to dive into learning the ropes so you can confidently handle the management and optimization of your profile.

Sometimes, in this scenario, it's wiser to allocate your resources toward bringing in someone well-versed in local SEO. This ensures your business is maximizing its potential reach. We often find that, especially with business profile listings, it's better to err on the side of caution and enlist professional help right from the beginning, even if it's just for the initial optimization. Once you feel confident, you can take the reins yourself. Your business's success matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Here's why you should consider investing in Bing Places for Business:

1. Enhanced Visibility: By claiming your business on Bing Places, you tap into a search engine that boasts millions of users. This added visibility can help you reach a broader audience.
2. Competitive Edge: Many businesses overlook Bing, focusing primarily on Google. By establishing a presence on Bing, you can gain a competitive advantage in a less crowded marketplace.
3. Improved Local SEO: If you're aiming to boost your local search engine optimization (SEO), Bing Places is a valuable tool. It can help you rank higher in Bing's search results, attracting local customers.
4. Integration with Microsoft: With Microsoft's increasing investments in AI and search technologies, Bing is poised for growth and innovation. Being part of this ecosystem can benefit your business in the long run.

While Google's monopoly in the global search market is indisputable, there have been intriguing rumours circulating regarding Apple's potential interest in acquiring Bing and positioning it as the default search engine for their Safari app and all iPhones. Although this scenario may seem unlikely, it underscores the hidden potential of Bing. With a strategic acquisition or innovative updates, Bing could gradually gain ground on Google's market share. Microsoft, the owner of Bing, has also been making substantial investments in AI, which is expected to eventually integrate with Bing's search engine. This suggests that Bing might have some exciting developments in store for the future.

As the statistics show Google is the dominant player in the search engine market. Bing is a viable alternative for some users, but it is unlikely to overtake Google anytime soon.

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