Google is rolling out an improved "Google My Business" dashboard for Local Pages and Brand Pages. The new dashboard is at Google My Business (business.google.com) instead of Google+ (plus.google.com/dashboard) and places management tools at your fingertips.
Brand Pages are used to represent YouTube channels, bands, organizations and brands on Google+ - any other identity that isn't a local business (where you see customers or clients face-to-face) or your personal profile. Since that's what I use, and I'm not a Local Business expert, my post focuses specifically on Brand Page Management.
Old Google+ Pages dashboard: plus.google.com/dashboard
New Google My Business dashboard for Brand pages: business.google.com/manage/#/pages
The new Google My Business dashboard for Brand Pages
The Google My Business dashboard has a new Material Design-based interface, and two tabs at the top, one for Locations and the other for Brand Pages
When you are on the Brand Pages tab you have these options:
Switch between Grid View and List View
Select the number of listings displayed per page
Create a new brand Page (click the blue + on the lower right)
Open the menu
Send feedback
If you have a lot of Pages, the new List View lets you see the information at a glance
The menu - accessed by clicking the "hamburger" 3 line menu icon at top left - lets you access more account options. Those options are limited for accounts that only have Brand Pages.
Managing your Brand Page
When you click the option to manage a Brand Page, or you click the "My Business" option while acting as a Page on Google+, you will open the Page's dashboard. It looks very much like the old Page dashboard, with three major changes:
There is a new "Insights" tab that links directly to the page's Insights and analytics
There is a new left navigation menu
The option to post to Google+ has been removed
The left menu navigation for individual Brand Pages:
Home = Page's main dashboard
Insights = views and other analytics
Google+ page = Open your Page on Google+ as a manager
Add a location = Local Page addition
All brand pages = Google My Business Dashboard
Managers = add or remove managers, or transfer page ownership
Settings = settings
Note: while there is a "Contact Support" link, Google only offers direct email or phone support for Local Pages, not Brand Pages
How do you get the new dashboard?
When the new dashboard is available on your account, clicking "Pages" in the Google+ navigation menu, or "My Business" when managing a Page will bring you to the new interface. If you don't have it now, it should be rolling out to you soon!
Learn more about the Google My Business interface for Local businesses:
Imprezzio Marketing: Google My Business (GMB) Dashboard Gets a Facelift
Mike Blumenthal: Google rolling out new upgraded GMB - GMBL interface
Local Search Forum: Google My Business & GMBL Update Rolling Out Now - Better Nav/UI
Posted by Peggy K