As the famous quote goes, “He who cannot bend will break,” so use Google My Business (GMB) to gain a competitive advantage. An optimized GMB profile can show you higher in Google Search and Google Maps, helping the users to find and interact with you.
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the basics that you are needed for GMB listing optimization with the expectation of local SEO results.
But before you optimize your GMB profile, you have to claim and verify your business:
✔ Log into Google Business Profile: Go to Google Business Profile and log in.
✔ Search For Your Business: Type in your business name and click on it.
✔ Activate Your Listing: Google will mail, email, or phone you a verification code. Input the code to finish the verification process.
After verification you have complete control to optimize your profile for local search.
Google favors businesses that provide complete and accurate details. Make sure to enter the following information:
✔ Business Name: Stick to your actual business name without keyword stuffing.
✔ Category Selection: Vote three for your most relevant primary and secondary categories.
✔ Address & Service Areas: Enter address if you serve customers at a physical location. If you cover multiple geographical locations, mention that.
✔ Opening Hours: Ensure that your working hours, and special holiday hours if any, are correct.
✔ Phone Number & Website: Make sure everything is current.
✔ Business Description: A brief and engaging description of your business that utilizes keywords ( Maximum 750-characters).
✔ Attributes: Choose from applicable features such as “Free Wi-Fi,” “Wheelchair Accessible” or “Women-Owned Business.”
Visuals Increase Engagement on Google My Business Listings Follow these tips:
✔ Profile Picture & Logo: A high-quality image that represents your brand.
✔ Cover Photo: Select a captivating cover photo that showcases your business
✔ Interior & Exterior Photos: Let customers see what your business looks like.
✔ Product & Service Stores: Show off your best-sellers
✔ Videos: Promotional short video clips (30-60seconds) help to promote better.
✔Attract and Control Customers’ Reviews
They are used in local SEO rankings and customer trust
✔ Request Reviews: Ask happy customers to post positive reviews.
✔ Respond to Reviews: Replying to a review, be it good or bad, keeps you engaged.
✔ Use Keywords in the Answers: Where possible introduce relevant keywords to boost SEO
✔ No Fake Reviews: Google penalizes businesses for fake or incentivized reviews.
Also, Google enables companies to share updates, events, and offers on their GMB profile
Use this feature to make an impression:
✔ Make a Post A Week: Post news, promotions, or events.
✔ Opt for High-Quality Images: Posts with images perform better.
✔ Catchy Call to Action( CTA): Motivate users to “call now”…”learn more” …“visit website”.
Maximize Google Maps Rankings
With that in mind, here are some ways to enhance your ranking on Google Maps:
✔ NAP Consistency: Your name address and phone number should be consistent everywhere.
✔ Include Local Keywords: Incorporate keywords relevant to cities or neighborhoods in your description.
✔ Promote Check-ins: If customers come to your place, it helps in getting higher engagement. ✔ Another best practice to optimize your website for voice search is using natural, conversational language for your descriptions and FAQs.
GMB gives your insight into how customers are finding and interacting with your listing:
✔ Search Queries: View the keywords used to find your business.
✔ Check Customer Actions: How many users call, visit your website, request directions, etc.
✔ Engagement Analytics: Study photo views, click-through on posts, profile visits.
✔ Adapt your Approach: Adjust your local SEO strategies based on the insights gained.
How long does it take for my Google My Business listing to get verified?
It generally takes 5-14 days for verification, depending on your verification method.
Can I do so in a single account of GMB?
Yes, you can create and manage multiple business locations with a single account.
Does posting on GMB help SEO?
Yes,maintaining and engagement signals impact in positive way.
If my business has duplicate listings what should I do?
Report and request Google for the merging/removal of duplicate listings as they cause confusion.
How can I delete fake reviews from my GMB profile?
Mark them as fake in your dashboard, and report them all to Google for removal.
For boosting local SEO, and bringing potential customers, optimizing your Google My Business profile is unavoidable. Overall, optimizing your GMB profile — completing your profile, adding quality visuals, managing reviews, and taking advantage of GMB insights — can boost your online visibility and help you stand out against competitors in local search rankings.