Add ‘Request a Quote’ Button to Your Google My Business Listing

You may have received an email from Google about your Google My Business listing, encouraging you to sign up for a ‘Request A Quote’ button on your GMB. You might be excited to do so – who doesn’t want more leads?

We’ll explain how to:

  • add a ‘Request A Quote’ button to your GMB listing
  • communicate effectively with your leads
  • whether a ‘Request A Quote’ button is right for your business or not

How To Add A ‘Request A Quote’ Button On GMB

Since communication – on the business-end, your end – needs to be handled through the Google My Business App ( Android GMB App Link – Apple GMB App Link ). If you don’t want to work through a mobile device, you can use the Desktop version of Google My Business at business.google.com.

Either way, you’ll need to login with the Google Account you use to manage your Google My Business listing.

Add ‘Request A Quote’ Button On GMB via Mobile App

  • Log in.
  • At the top of the app you’ll confirm that you’re looking at the right business listing – if not, click it and choose the correct listing.
  • At the bottom, choose ‘Customers’ from the menu.
  • Once within the ‘Customers’ section, choose ‘Messages’ from the top menu
  • Tap ‘Messaging Settings’.
  • Click ‘Turn On Messaging’ so the toggle is blue.
  • At this point, you’ll be allowed to edit your ‘Welcome Message’. The default states: ‘Hi! How can I help you today?’ You can change it to whatever you like, as long as it fits within 120 characters including spaces (like Tweets used to be).
  • Once you’re done, you’ll have to wait a few days for the button to begin appearing on your GMB. The time to wait varies for everyone. The best way to check is to have friends or coworkers Google your business name on Search or Maps every day or two.

Add ‘Request A Quote’ Button On GMB via Desktop Website

  • Log in.
  • On the main screen, choose the business you’ll be working with. If you only have one business, skip this step.
  • On the left-hand menu, choose ‘Messages’.
  • Click ‘Messaging Settings’.
  • Click ‘Turn On Messaging’ so the toggle is blue.
  • At this point, you’ll be allowed to edit your ‘Welcome Message’. The default states: ‘Hi! How can I help you today?’ You can change it to whatever you like, as long as it fits within 120 characters including spaces (like Tweets used to be).
  • Once you’re done, you’ll have to wait a few days for the button to begin appearing on your GMB. The time to wait varies for everyone. The best way to check is to have friends or coworkers Google your business name on Search or Maps every day or two.

How To Communicate Back & Forth With GMB Leads Via ‘Request A Quote’

Once you have an RAQ button on your GMB, how does communication work? Here are the steps:

  1. The lead clicks the RAQ button.
  2. The lead types out a message, and sends it to your business.
  3. You receive a notification on:
    1. Mobile | Your Google My Business app.
    2. Desktop | Your Google Account email address.
  4. You type out a reply, and send it back to the lead.
  5. The lead receives a notification:
    1. Mobile | The Google Maps app.
    2. Desktop | Their Google Account inside of maps.google.com as a notification

Google hasn’t made it particularly easy for clients to see your responses, especially if you live in an area which doesn’t have a high rate of mobile device or Google Maps use.

Is ‘Request A Quote’ From GMB Right For My Business?

Here are some questions to ask yourself to decide if the ‘Request A Quote’ button from Google My Business is right for your business:

  • Am I able to understand my client’s needs and wants in a very short text message, or is my business more complex?
  • Is the Request A Quote or Chat form robust enough for my business, or does it not have enough information options for my business?
  • Am I able to respond quickly (within hours) to any message which might come through to my phone or Google Account email address?
  • Do I think that adding this button will see an increase in leads or better customer service, or will I just be shifting leads off of my website to this button, and have poorer customer service?

After you’ve answered these questions, you should have a pretty good idea of whether you want to install the ‘Request A Quote’ button on your Google My Business listing or not.