Updated: Jan 27
Have you ever found yourself craving a particular item, but had no idea where to find it? Maybe it was an iced coffee on a hot summer day. What did you do? Chances are, you pulled out your smartphone and searched for "iced coffee nearby" on Google.
The results that popped up were likely powered by Google My Business, a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google's search engine and maps. But it's not just helpful for consumers looking for a quick caffeine fix.
When used correctly, Google My Business can be a powerful tool for businesses looking to boost their local SEO and online visibility. In this article, we'll dive into the basics of Google My Business and explore how it can benefit your business.
Table Of Contents:
Why Is Google My Business Important For Businesses?
How To Set Up A Google My Business Account?
Improve Your Local Search Ranking With These 13 Google My Business Optimizations
Learn How To Monitor Google Business Profile Insights
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business can be particularly useful for local businesses, as it helps them to appear in search results for customers in their local area. By creating and optimising a Google My Business profile, businesses are able increase their online visibility, attract more customers, and build a strong online reputation. The tool is free to use and easy to set up, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Why Is Google My Business Important For Businesses?
Improved visibility in Google search results: GMB is one of the most effective ways to improve a business's visibility in Google search results, particularly for local search queries. With a well-optimized GMB profile, a business is more likely to appear in the "local pack" (the three businesses that appear at the top of local search results).
Increased credibility and trust: A complete and accurate GMB profile can help establish credibility and trust with potential customers. When a business's information is consistent and up-to-date across all online platforms, including GMB, it signals to customers that the business is professional and reliable.
Valuable insights: GMB provides businesses with insights and analytics about how customers are finding and interacting with their business online. This information can help businesses make informed decisions about their online marketing and improve their online presence over time.
How To Set Up A Google My Business Account?
Setting up a Google My Business account may seem complicated but we assure you that it’s a fairly simple process. We’ve broken it down in the easiest way possible. Here are the steps to follow:
Go to the Google My Business website: Start by visiting the Google My Business website at https://www.google.com/business/ and click on the "Manage Now" button.
Sign in to your Google account: If you already have a Google account (such as a Gmail account), sign in. Otherwise, create a new account.
Enter your business information: Fill in your business name, address, phone number, and website URL.
Choose your business category: Select the category that best describes your business. This will help customers find you when they search for businesses like yours.
Verify your business: Depending on your business type and location, you may be able to verify your business instantly. Otherwise, you may need to wait for a postcard with a verification code to be mailed to you.
Optimize your Google My Business profile: Once your account is verified, you can start optimizing your profile by adding photos, hours of operation, a description, and more. (more information below)
By following these steps, you can set up and optimize your Google My Business
account in no time! See, we told you it’s easy!
Improve Your Local Search Ranking With These 13 Google My Business Optimizations
Now that your GMB is up and running, you want people to be able to find you. So, how do you do that? Well, your business needs to rank higher in local search results. There are several optimizations you can make to your Google My Business profile. Here are 13 strategies you can use:
Claim and verify your business
The first step in using GMB is to claim and verify your business. To do this, go to Google My Business and create a new account or sign in with your existing Google account. Once you’ve done that, Google will send you a postcard with a verification code that you’ll need to enter in your GMB account to verify your business.
Complete every section of your Google My Business account
This means filling out your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and any other relevant information about your business.
Be meticulous with contact information
Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. If someone tries to reach you and the information is incorrect, it can result in a negative experience for them and potentially lost business for you.
Select primary and secondary categories
Choose the categories that best describe your business to make it easier for potential customers to find you in search results.
Mark off applicable attributes
Google My Business allows you to add attributes to your business profile to provide more information about your business, such as whether you have outdoor seating, offer Wi-Fi, or accept credit cards.
Write a complete “from the business” description
This is an opportunity to describe what your business does and what sets it apart from competitors. Use this space to provide potential customers with a clear understanding of what you offer.
Use Google Posts
Google Posts allow you to share news, promotions, and other updates with your customers directly on your GMB profile. This can help you attract more customers and improve your search rankings. Make sure to use keywords in your posts and include a call to action to encourage engagement
Upload new photos weekly
Adding new photos to your business profile can help potential customers get a better sense of what to expect when they visit your business. Make sure the photos are high-quality and accurately represent your business.
Answer questions
Google My Business allows users to ask questions about your business, and as the business owner, it's important to respond to these inquiries in a timely and helpful manner.
Encourage reviews
Respond to reviews
If your business offers specific products or services, make sure to add them to your Google My Business profile. This can help potential customers find you when they're searching for specific offerings.
Set up messaging
Google My Business allows you to set up messaging so that potential customers can contact you directly through the platform. This can be a great way to answer questions or provide additional information.
Maintain your business profile
Finally, it's important to regularly check and update your business profile on Google My Business to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date. This can help ensure that potential customers have a positive experience when they interact with your business online.
Learn How To Monitor Google Business Profile Insights
Monitoring your Google My Business profile insights is an important part of understanding how customers are interacting with your business online. Here's how you can access and monitor your insights:
- Log in to your Google My Business account.
- Select the location you want to monitor insights for.
- On the left-hand side of the screen, click on "Insights."
- Review the data presented in the "Searches" and "Views" sections, which provide information about how customers are finding and interacting with your business on Google.
- Use the "Customer actions" section to see what actions customers are taking after finding your business on Google, such as visiting your website, requesting directions, or making phone calls.
- Check the "Photo" section to see how many photos customers are adding to your profile and how many views they're receiving.
- Look at the "Reviews" section to see how many reviews you've received and your overall rating.
- Use the "Post" section to track the performance of your Google My Business posts, including views, clicks, and engagement.
By regularly monitoring your Google My Business insights, you can gain valuable insights into how customers are interacting with your business online and make data-driven decisions to improve your online presence.
Final Words
Remember, your Google My Business listing is often the first impression that potential customers will have of your business. Make sure that it accurately represents your brand and provides all the necessary information that customers need to make an informed decision. By doing so, you can increase your visibility, drive more traffic to your website, and ultimately, boost your bottom line.
So, if you haven't already, take some time to set up your Google My Business listing and start reaping the benefits today!
SO, WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS PARTNER?
Well, aren’t we glad you asked! We at DigiCom are obsessive data-driven marketers pulling from multi-disciplinary strategies to unlock scale. We buy media across all platforms and placements and provide creative solutions alongside content creation, and conversion rate optimizations. We pride ourselves on your successes and will stop at nothing to help you grow.
