Google shuts down websites created with Google Business Profile. Now what?
- March 20, 2024
- Google, Website Design
Google used to provide website design for small businesses through a free website builder under the Google My Business profile.
Several local businesses were active through this kind of website over the internet.
But Google recently announced that it would shut down all of them.
Google made this announcement via a blog post. It said such websites will remain live only by March 5, 2024.
After that, if someone visits your website, Google will redirect them to your GMB profile instead.
However, that’s only until June 10, 2024. After this date, your website will completely shut down—that means no redirection to even the Google business profile.
In this scenario, if someone tries to access your website, they will simply see the “Page not found” error.
From your local business listing, the website link will become inactive.
If you do not want your GMB profile without a link to the website.
Simply just create a new website and update it in your Google business profile.
If you want your website to remain linked to the GMB profile, you will have to create a website with the new address and update it in the GMB website link section.
Get to know: Why my business needs a website?
Who will be affected by this update?
- Websites having domains that end with business.site and negocio.site
- Google Business Listing itself won’t be affected
- If there is no website linked to your GMB listing, the updates have nothing to do with you.
- Google paid ads, if they are running with a website made with Google business listing, will become of no use and go inactive.
- For those who had custom domains for their Google My Business Website, their traffic won’t be redirected to the GMB listing beyond June 10, 2024
Read also: The Importance of Local SEO for Small Businesses
So, what’s next?
Well, what’s next depends on your intent.
If you believe shutting down your website is not a big deal, let it be.
However, if you do not want to compromise your online visibility, both Google and we recommend creating a new website design using other platforms.
Fortunately, there are many website builders available. That’s for almost all kinds of websites, i.e., simple template-based website or an e-commerce website design.
If you don’t know what these platforms are, we have given you a list of some of them.
Of these, which platform is best for you depends on your intent. That means simple if you want to showcase your services, you can use Wix. On the other hand, if you want that for selling purposes, we suggest Shopify.
However, if it is about versatility, WordPress can fulfil both intents. Maybe that is why it is the popular choice among people. WordPress powers more than 40% of the websites on the Internet.
Still, ultimately, choosing one remains your decision. Whatever platform you think best fits your needs, go for that unhesitatingly.
Just in case you are searching for website design services– no matter what kind – we can help you with that!
Here, you can check out our web design portfolio. If they are good enough, you can explore our website design packages here or by calling us on +91 901 276 4000.
A team of digital marketing professionals who know the Art of making customers fall in LOVE with your brand!