Google has announced the shutdown of websites created with Google Business Profiles, scheduled for March. This move will impact businesses relying on this platform for their online presence, necessitating a shift to alternative tools.
Until June 10, visitors attempting to access these websites will be automatically redirected to the respective Business Profiles. Post this date, they will encounter a “page not found” error. Businesses with Ads campaigns linked to Google Business Profile websites must change the links before March 1 to ensure the continuous running of their ads or opt to pause their campaigns.
To maintain their online presence, affected businesses must create new websites using alternative tools and update their Business Profiles with the new site addresses before the deadline for a seamless transition. This transition poses a significant challenge for businesses with multiple profiles, such as those for different locations or divisions.
Google recommends several alternative platforms for building new business websites, including WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Google Sites, and Shopify.
For businesses with custom domains directing traffic to Google Business Profile websites, a redirection to Business Profiles will be in place until June 10. To manage this transition effectively, users should log in to their hosting company accounts, choose the “Redirect” option or a similar feature, and reroute their third-party domains to a different website before the specified date.