How Google My Business Can Help Your Local SEO
Since its debut arrival in 2014, Google My Business has been a game-changer. Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it even makes more sense to make the most of it. Moreover, it’s free to use.
There are loads of ways Google My Business can help your local SEO. Let me show you how.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a one-stop tool that offers several benefits for local businesses. It’s one of the most useful tools that give you insights into how the performance of your business across Google, including Google Maps and organic search results.
It’s a free platform that lets you edit and update your information such as your NAP details, photos, opening hours, and more. However, you must verify that you own the business before you can have access to these tools.
Google My Business is the first step towards improving your local SEO content strategy. In addition to giving you an edge on your competitors, it will help with your organic rankings and visibility on Google Maps.
How Does It Work?
Getting started with Google My Business is easy. All you have to do is create an account by clicking on ‘start now’. And you can either sign in with an already existing Google account or create a new one.
You’ll be required to fill in correct details about your business such as business name, contact, address, etc.
Once done, Google will send you a real-life postcard through the address you identified with your listing. Usually, it takes a few days to arrive. And it will come with a verification code. Depending on your type of business, it’s possible to get verified via an email or a phone call.
Here’s a note: It’s important to let you know that even when your listing is live, you should log in regularly as people can try and make changes to your account details.
Optimizing Your Google My Business Listing
After claiming your business, do the following to optimize your Google My Business for SEO efficiently:
Enter Complete Data for Your Listing
Google requires that you enter your complete data for your Google My Business profile.
When done, your listing will be more relevant to searchers and will provide valuable information about your company, including what your business does, its location, and your services.
Let me remind you that there’s a “Suggest an edit” button on every GMB listing. And if you don’t fill this up yourself, anyone – even your competitors – can make some dramatic edit to your listing.
So, you must log in to the GMB dashboard frequently to ensure no one has to input any unwanted edits to your listing.
Add Photos
Gone are the times when the internet used to be centered on text and information. Marketers have discovered that media, especially photos, help business performances even beyond expectations.
Google observed that businesses with photos on their listings receive 42% more requests on Google Maps and 35% more click-throughs to their websites than businesses without photos or media.
So, adding photos to your Google My Business page is a great way to improve your local SEO game. Moreover, it helps for better interaction between you and your customers; a “behind-the-scenes contribution.
Google My Business & Customer Reviews
Interacting with your customers online gives the impression that you care about your customers.
Positive reviews can let your business stand out among your competitors. So, don’t forget to ethically ask satisfied customers for online reviews.
Additionally, online reviews can influence customer trust, as well as impact your business’s visibility in search results. According to BrightLocal’s 2019 Consumer Review Survey, 68% of consumers believe online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
TIP: To create a direct link to where your customers can leave a review on your Google My Business listing, you can click here to begin.
Keep Business Operating Hours Accurate
Here’s something you should pay attention to when setting up your Google My Business listing.
Ensure that your business hours tally with your actual working hours, or say your opening and closing hours.
Summary
So, get your claim your My Business listing and leverage it for better business performance. Optimize all of it!
But, it will be great if you put in the same efforts to improve your on-site and off-site SEO. This practice will increase your rankings. Optimize your site, create local content and news. Ask customers for review. Make your page professional.
And that’s all it takes. Go for it!
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