If you’ve ever googled something, chances are you’ve seen a Google My Business Listing, or GMB. In a nutshell, GMB is an enhanced directory listing that includes critical information about your business such as the description, location, phone number, website URL, open hours, photos, updates, reviews, and questions and answers. Every time someone googles something, the more a relevant result is displayed, potentially giving your business some major exposure! To make the most out of this incredible opportunity, there are some key fundamentals to consider when optimizing your GMB Listing.
Google My Business Best Practices:
- Fill Out Your Profile Completely: Google loves content. The more content, the more opportunities for your listing to appear.
- Implement A Keyword Strategy: Now that you have content, it’s time to enhances your local SEO. With the right SEO and Keyword Strategy, your chances will increase for showing up in Google’s Local Pack, Local Finder, Google Maps, and organic rankings in general.
- Check Up On Your Profile Often For Correctness: Now that you have your profile completed as much as possible, it is important that all your hard work remains intact. You want to make sure that your info on your GMB Listing matches your information on your website. Google loves consistency. An important thing to keep in mind is that anyone can “suggest an edit” to your profile, including your competitors. Any changes they make will be made LIVE to your profile so keeping a close eye on your listing is imperative.
- Take Advantage Of The “Description” Field: This is your opportunity to give people a taste of your business. Include a concise, straight to the point description that includes keywords. When optimized correctly, your listing will become more visible on search engines. Make sure to add a link to make the most of your online real estate.
- Choose Your Category Wisely: The correct category will determine when your listing shows up in search results. You cannot create your own category, so if you are having difficulty pinpointing the right one, choose a more generic category. Depending on the category, there could be additional features such as booking, menu, and amenities features.
- Location, Location, Location: Make sure your location is correct and include images of the exterior of your building so that visitors can become familiar and find your business easier.
- Add As Much Relevant Content As Possible: Include high-resolution images of your business. Include the interior, along with 360-degree photos and videos if possible. The more great content you add, the better Google will position your business relative to the competition. Make sure to include descriptions for your photos. Give your visitors a tour and take pictures of your office, meeting rooms, and showrooms. Take pictures of the outside to there is no confusion where your business is located.Don’t forget about your team so people know who to look for when they come in. You can also add things like blogs, company news, eBook downloads, upcoming events, special offers, and promotions.
- Post Away: To get this content out to the masses, you need to invest in posting. Posts last 7 days, so you should post once a week or more. These posts will drive traffic to your GMB listing. There are different times of posts; a standard update, an event, an offer, and a product post. Event posts will appear in the local search results. When creating a post make sure to include links to your website. Take your audience on a journey from your GMB listing to your website and hopefully onto your client list!
- Reviews Are The Best Advertisements: A big part of GMB is the reviews feature. Customers can leave reviews on your GMB listing and an overall star rating is also included. But with anything good, there is the bad. Sometimes customers will have a less then positive experience and will leave a negative review. It is important to respond to each and every review, even the bad ones. Remember that everyone can see this and it is best to address any criticism and praise eloquently. If you have to deal with a bad review, it is best to answer calmly and concise. Take a moment to remove your emotions and address the issue with amazing customer service. If you are left with a positive review, it is also important to address the customer with a personalized thank you.
- Embrace User Generated Content: Ask your customers to add their own content. Nothing is more powerful than praise directly from them. People want to know other people’s experiences with your company and product/services.
Now that you are armed with these 10 tips in this guide, you are now ready to optimize your GMB Listing. First impressions are important, so make sure that you are happy with what your customers are seeing.
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