You need to be able to market your business locally, especially if you want to expand your influence and visibility in your local area. Many companies neglect to create a Google Business Profile, which is one of the most powerful tools for achieving these and other core business goals.
What is a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)?
Google Business Profile is a Google tool that allows you to directly influence how local consumers connect with you business online. This will significantly improve your local SEO.
This is important as about half of consumers who do local searches (such as “restaurants near me”) shop in the same day.
HubSpot points out that a Google Business Profile can help you control how local customers see you in Google Search and Maps. This includes details such as your business name and location. You can also monitor and respond to customer reviews.
Simply put, if your first steps in local SEO are to use the Google Business Profile listing, it’s probably the best place to begin.
Google Business Profile is important for your local business.
If your business is located in the first place, then you should consider local SEO strategies. Why? Local searches are the most common way that people find local businesses.
Google Business Profile is a second option that can significantly increase your local SEO’s power.
These metrics, from HubSpot, are just a few examples.
- Nearly half of all Google search results are for local business information
- 72% of people who conduct a local search will visit local businesses within five miles of their home.
- Online research is more popular than any other method of learning about local businesses.
- 88% of people who search for local businesses online on their smartphones call or visit the business within 24 hours.
- Google Business Profile accounts approximately 36% of your local SEO ranking – more than reviews or links on on-page SEO strategies
8 Best Practice Strategies to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
One of the best ways you can increase your influence in your local area is to optimize your Google Business Profile profile. Bright Local points out:
A Google Business Profile listing is essential for every business. It provides a rich source of information for Google and local consumers, and a rich local search presence.
Your details in Google Business Profile are used by the search engine in many ways. They can be used to fill out the local pack and populate the knowledge panel, populating Google Maps, voice search results, and as assistance with Google app searches.
You can use these smart strategies to increase your Google Business Profile’s influence and ranking in the map pack. Additionally, here are eight more effective tips to optimize your Google Business Profile.
1. Correctly enter the NAP in your Google Business Profile:
NAP stands for Name, Address and Phone Number. This information is critical to optimize your profile.
This sounds easy, but keep in mind that your business may have had different numbers or addresses in the past.
It is important to ensure that your online business citations match the ones included in your GBP.
2. Choose the correct Google Business Profile category and all the subcategories, if applicable.
Local SEO is a crucial component, so make sure you do it correctly. If you are selling tacos, for example, you might select “taco restaurant”, so people searching for “tacos” and “taco restaurants”, can find you business in their local searches.
It is important to include a subcategory if you do more than one thing. You might have a grocery store that also includes a pharmacy. In this case, “supermarket” would be the category, and “pharmacy would be the subcategory.
The key to outranking your competition is often choosing the right category and subcategories. To find the best match between your primary and second categories, check out our Google Business Profile Category Full List.
3. Write a compelling business description:
Google allows you to describe your business in 750 characters. Google doesn’t allow promotional talks in your description. However, you can tell people about your products or services and what makes your business unique. It is also a good idea include information about your company’s history and mission.
4. Make use of photos to your advantage
Google offers many options to customize the photos you include in your profile.
Both interior and exterior photos can be used, as well 360-degree views. Local shoppers are more likely to pay attention to photos that capture their attention than search results without strong images. It is best to have at least three images of your exterior, interior, team, and products.
Google reports that businesses with photos get 42% more requests from Google for driving directions to their locations, and 35% more clicks to their websites, than those without photos.
New research has shown a strong correlation between Google Business Profile image quantity and search performance. According to the research, businesses with more than 100 images on Google Business Profile receive 520% more calls, 2717% higher direction requests and 1,065% more website visits than the average business.
5. Respond to and monitor reviews
Reviews from potential customers are very important. Consumers read an average of 10 reviews before they can trust a business. These reviews are more trustworthy than word-of-mouth recommendations from friends.
It’s not enough for customers to leave reviews. To request them, you must be proactive and have a consistent process. Also, you need to respond to reviews. For example, a policy that simply thanks customers for leaving positive reviews.
6. Describe your products and services
The products section is currently one of the most visible parts of a well-optimized Google Business Profile. Google organizes your products in a carousel-like layout that will drive more sales, calls and views. This allows you to add images, descriptions, and calls-to-action to product profiles. You will be featured first for the last product you have entered, so organize your products accordingly.
7. Post regularly
Your Google Business Profile post is essentially a mini-blog that provides important updates and information about your business. It also helps with local SEO by publishing to your profile. It sends important keywords and phrases to Google’s AI. The crucial association between your products and your business.
Regular posting drives up engagement. Google measures the amount of engagement you, as a business owner, have with your profile. Google will take your business more seriously if you engage with your profile as a business owner.
A good post will improve your visibility and rank in local searches. They can also be very influential in customers choosing you over a competitor.
8. Optimize your Google Business Profile Q&A
Your profile’s Q&A section can be a huge asset to your business. However, you must make it work for your business. Google allows you to store questions and answers in your profile. This is so that consumers receive the right answers.
Like many other elements of your Google Business Profile, everyday people can influence the perception of your business online. Make sure to use the customer data that you have in order to ensure you ask the right questions and give the best answers.
You can have more control over your business’ narrative and perception by asking the right questions and answering them yourself.
Optimize Google Business Profile to Improve Local Visibility
These are just a few of the many ways that you can optimize Google Business Profile and increase your online visibility and influence in your local area.
Contact us today to learn more about how our local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization services will help your company rise to the top in local searches to help you grow your business.
