Is your Google My Business (GMB) profile optimized for success? GMB is a great way to promote your business online, but only if it’s done correctly.
Google is the world’s most-visited website. By creating a Google Business Profile, you can attract new customers through their natural browsing on Google search and even by using Google Maps in combination with your business location information; especially when users search for products and services like yours near their exact location.
What Is A GMB Profile?
Google My Business is an excellent tool for small business owners to manage their online presence across Google’s search engine. It allows business owners to provide users with essential details about their business such as:
- Photos
- Updates
- Locations
- Services
- Products
- Reviews
- Business Hours
- Directions
Its free, easy-to-use interface makes sure that your potential customers have all of your information at hand. Your Google Business Profile information may appear in a variety of different places, including Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. A Google My Business Listing should be set up in a few steps.
Getting Started
Creating your Google My Business Profile is the first step toward success. When you’re logged into a Google account, Business Profile Manager should automatically be added as well. Otherwise, enter your usual login details or create an additional profile for yourself to access your profile. Begin customizing your profile, remember that the more information available to users the better. Follow the steps and begin to fill in your business hours, photos, services, and description, until all are completed.
Having a Google Business Profile is the best way to make your business look reputable and trustworthy, so make sure you include every detail. Customers are more likely to visit and shop with locations that they can deem reputable. Once you have completed your GMB profile, it’s time to begin optimizing your profile for the best results.
Remember that Google ranks businesses profiles on its search engine based on these 3 factors:
- Search Relevance
- Your Business Popularity
- Distance From Search Location
1. Verify Business Locations
If you want to be found in local search results across Google products like Maps and Search then it’s important that your business has a verified location. Not only does it make you more likely to show up in local searches, but having a verified location also helps boost your distance ranking score.
You can lose potential customers who search for companies just like yours when you skip verifying your location in the account creation step. Ensure your potential customers find your business and verify all physical locations your business may have.
2. Include Keywords
The right keywords are very important in improving relevance and will help you rank higher on Google searches. Incorporate the most common terms used to search for your business into your description in a natural way, this will help describe your business to Google. The keywords you use should be relevant to the topics on your profile, stuffing words or using words that have no relevance can actually hurt your search ranking.
Search engine optimization is a necessary component of any successful business. Using the right keywords and phrases will help you rank higher in search results, and include keywords on all your profile attributes.
3. Be Responsive
The more reviews you have, the higher your Google ranking will be and the more positive reviews you have, the more customers will begin to trust your business. So it is important to reply and thank people who leave feedback for their opinion. Google My Business reviews show customers that your business is legitimate and it is impossible to turn them off, although you can flag any inappropriate comments.
You should always respond to feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. This will help you maintain your brand voice and help build relationships with customers who may have felt negatively impacted. It is a well-known fact that the more trustworthy you are, the more business your company will gain.
4. Include High-Quality Images
Quality photos are an essential part of any business profile, they help potential customers see what you’re all about and give them a sense of your business. The right photo can make all the difference in persuading users to visit your location. Not only will the users appreciate it more, but you’ll stand out from other businesses that don’t use high-quality images on their profiles. It’s important to have high-quality photos of your products, interiors, and exteriors. This will help improve engagement with potential customers and boost your presence on Google Seach.
5. Keep Your Profile Up-To-Date
We all know how frustrating it is to show up at a business and see they’re closed. Be sure you edit your profile if any of those things change so customers can find the right information easily. If you change your hours of operation or contact details be sure to update the information on your profile so that customers can accurate info. It’s important to make sure that your Google Business Profile reflects all of the hours you offer, this includes holidays and special dates as well. You can also optimize your listing to share updates, product news, and offers with your target audience.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve followed all of the tips in this post, your Google My Business profile should be looking great. But don’t stop there! Continue to make sure you keep your information up-to-date and reach out to a professional digital marketing agency whenever you need help with taking your Google My Business Profile and its online presence to the next level.
