Google My Business is Vital for your Local Business!
Every competitive local business must have a Google My Business profile that is fully optimized. Google My Business will help your business listing appear when people are searching for your business or products on Google Search and Google Maps. An optimized Google My Business Profile will rank higher than other businesses through organic searches. An optimized Google My Business profile considers two important factors to remain competitive in its organic search ranking on Google:
(1) The User Experience
(2) Google’s Algorithms
The User Experience
The user’s experience of your Google My Business is so critical to convert the user directly from your Google My Business listing to the desired result you want. A Google My Business profile that is optimized for user experience will ensure that all the information listed on the business profile is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to its users. This way, the user will confidently explore your listing and convert to your desired goal.
The Google Search Engine
Believe it or not, Google is more concerned about its users than you! That is why Google has created algorithms that ensure their users get the best results and the best experience from their search queries. A fully optimized Google My Business Profile will consider what is important to Google and will adjust accordingly to rank high on local search queries for its product, service or message.
Here are some tips on how to optimize your Google My Business to rank high on Google’s organic search queries:
#1 Set up an Optimized Google My Business Profile
The first and most important step is to set-up a Google My Business Profile. This is a very simple and intuitive step! Yet, many business owners assume that their business should be listed on Google My Business just because their product or service is good! Spoiler Alert – Google doesn’t know if your product, service or message is good unless you tell it, and the best way to tell Google that you rock is by creating your Google My Business Profile.
Setting up a Google My Business Profile is easy and free. All you have to do is search for Google My Business, click Start Now and fill out your business information.
#2 Optimize Your Business Information
We cannot stress how important it is for you to ensure that all the information listed on your Google My Business Profile is accurate and relevant to the user. Remember, this might be the only information the user might see about your business. So, make sure everything the user reads and sees is correct. God forbid, someone searches for your services, then comes to your business only to find out that you have moved, or your business hours were incorrectly listed. You may lose that customer forever or even get a bad review! Moreover, if Google picks up that your information is incorrect, your search ranking will plummet.
You can optimize your Google My Business profile by making sure that the following business information is correctly listed on your profile:
Web Address – Include your website on your Google My Business profile. If you do not have a website, NXT Digital can help create and design a website for your business. You must make sure the information listed on your Google My Business matches the information listed in your website. This small oversight can significantly affect how you rank in Google Searches. Also check your Search Console to identify if there are any penalties to your site. Penalties may negatively affect how you rank in Google Search results.
Physical Address – Do not include fictitious addresses! If you are a virtual business, people get it and will appreciate your honesty! Your physical address should be a location where you are physically located and where customers can physically come to.
Business Hours – Business hours are hours that your business can be reached or visited. Don’t confuse it with operating hours. For example, you may have employees working around the clock in your warehouse; yet you’re your phone lines and office/store is open 9-5. Your business hours should be 9-5 NOT 24 hours!
Phone Number – How can your business be reached? Include a number where people can call you. Google My Business also allows for text messaging, which has proven to yield high conversion rates.
Business Category – Make sure to choose the category that best matches your business.
#3 Optimize Your Business Description
Write a brief description of your business – what do you offer? what sets you apart? Think about the user and what would be helpful for the user to make a decision. This is not the area for promotions, prices, etc.; the “Post” feature is more suited for your promotions.
Be transparent! Everyone appreciates honesty!
#4 Optimize Your Pictures
Pictures are a wonderful way to optimize your Google My Business Profile because pictures give users a better understanding of what your product, service or message is all about. Your Google My Business pictures are technically your Google Storefront! This means that you have a responsibility to showcase your storefront for conversion.
Keep in mind that Google My Business allows for pictures to be uploaded by either the owner or the customer. As the owner, you need to take control of what you’re displaying on your storefront. Thus, ensure that you post ample amounts of pictures that are high-quality and relevant to the user.
Additionally, when uploading your pictures, ensure your file names include your business name and searchable product name. Also, take time to provide descriptions of each picture, remembering that Google doesn’t know what is in your picture unless you tell it. This point is important for your pictures to rank high on Google Images.
#5 Create Optimized Video Marketing Assets
Take advantage of this great feature! If you haven’t already created Video Marketing Assets for your business, products or services, contact NXT Digital immediately! Video assets are one of the most important marketing tools you can use to increase your conversion. This is how people connect with you and remember you! Google My Business allows you to add a 30-second video to your business listing. The video appears in your overview and is sure to generate a lot of leads!
#6 Optimize Your Reviews
Users will scroll and compare your reviews to other similar businesses. Your reviews will separate you from your competitors. Having meaningful reviews will optimize your Google My Business considerably. You have to deliberately and actively ask your customers to write a review. Most people are willing to help companies improve and do better.
Moreover, once a customer writes a review (good or baed), engage with your customers by replying to their review. Thank them for their positive review and personalize it, if possible. Apologize when there is a negative review and thank them for their feedback. This will surely drive more customers your way!
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