Google My Business (GMB) is like a profile of your business on a business social network that provides searchers with all the information they need about your business, such as location, phone number, hours of operation, website address, reviews, and more. GMB is becoming more and more important, especially when it comes to local SEO . It is an effective way to connect with customers.
If you're in an unfamiliar city and looking for a coffee shop to pop into, you can Google "coffee shops near you." The results are Google Business Profiles, which act as online listings as well as a marketing tool for your business.
In this article, I will cover the most important information about GMB and how to best optimize your profile on Google . I will talk about:
Google My Business Profile (Google Business Profile)
The importance of a GMB account to your business
Proper GMB account creation
Successfully optimizing your GMB account
Customer reviews on GMB account
Google My Business Profile
Google My Business Profile is a free tool for Google Search and Google Maps . It contains a description of your company, basic information such as contacts, address, business category, opening hours, a link to your website.
However, it should be mentioned that GMB is not just an online business card. Potential customers can also see your company's rating score, photos, and reviews left by other people.
Also, every potential customer can ask questions on their own through the Google My Business account window or add photos of your business to the photo album.
The importance of a GMB account to your business
It's no secret that Google is used for almost all internet searches. So if a customer is searching for your business on Google , it's a GMB account that can help them find the information they're looking for quickly and easily.
According to Google itself - more than 46 percent. all searches are related to location. Local SEO is gaining more and more importance. The number of users who use the search engine on mobile devices and look for results "here and now, closest to me" is constantly growing. In the competitive struggle, Local SEO is becoming an increasingly important factor.
For example, if someone searches for "Vilnius bakery", they will be able to choose from a number of bakeries listed on GMB accounts in that area, and you will also want your bakery to appear in the search results. Moreover, it should be added that GMB is one of the most important local ranking factors today, as an optimized GMB account gives you a chance to appear on the search results page.
It's also important to mention that a GMB account is ranked first and appears above other results on search pages, so it doesn't compete with your site, it complements it.
GMB not only makes it easier to connect with customers and improve your business' online visibility, but it can also help you build your reputation and provide insight into your customer experience.
If you're wondering if you need a GMB profile, consider the fact that when you enter the relevant keywords, your competitors' profiles will appear in searches. Quite simply, potential customers can be referred to another company before they even see your website.
Properly setting up a GMB account
If you don't have a GMB account yet, follow these instructions:
1. Register or login.
Go to https://www.google.com/business/ and click Sign In.
2. Verify that you own a specific business and create an account.
You always need to confirm that you are a business owner, so you will receive a confirmation letter from Google. It may take about 1-2 weeks. When you receive the letter, it will contain a code that you can use to verify your business.
3. Set the account settings.
When setting the account parameters, specify as many accurate data as possible - name, contact information, address, website address, upload photos. It is important to correctly choose the right category of business activity.
That's it - you already have a GMB account.
Successfully optimizing your GMB account
By following these tips, you can successfully optimize your business's GMB profile.
Complete your business description in detail and strategically
Create a comprehensive profile of your business on GMB to answer customer questions and demonstrate professionalism and credibility.
Pay special attention to the business category you are assigned to, as this can help you be found by potential customers. If you choose a general category like "restaurant," you'll face more competition than if you choose a category like "Mexican restaurant." In addition, the more precisely you describe your business, the more you can meet the expectations of potential customers.
Add visuals
Photos can be an important factor in choosing your business over your competitors. Make sure your cover and profile photos are attached to your GMB account. Consider supplementing the profile with other photos - of the interior, products or services.
According to research by BrightLocal, businesses with more than 100 photos on their profiles received 520% more calls, 1,065% more website visits, and 2,717% more referral requests than businesses without photos.
Uploading videos to your profile is another great way to stand out and give potential customers more information about your business.
Explore GMB's advanced options
GMB has additional features that can help your business get noticed. A GMB account can also:
Send messages
Write messages
Provide the possibility of booking services
Upload price list
Submit menu
Find out what features would work for your business. Allowing potential customers to sign up through their GMB account can increase conversions. Or, if you're in the food service industry, uploading a menu can help you stand out from the competition in your area.
It is advisable to enable messaging so that customers can easily contact you with questions. It is also recommended to use the notification functionality to announce your business news and/or promotions.
It's important to mention that if your business name, address, phone number or other important information changes, don't forget to update it in your GMB account.
Customer reviews on GMB account
Customer feedback is an essential part of your GMB. It is the feedback you have on your GMB account that can set you apart from the competition. According to a Whitespark report, positive reviews are the second most important conversion factor.
Encourage customers to leave feedback on your GMB account in a variety of ways - signs or posters at your service points, payment receipts, social media, email. in letters, at the end of conversations, etc.
Another useful tactic is to respond to reviews regularly. This will give your customers confidence in your company and make them feel heard. In fact, according to Google , businesses that respond to reviews are rated 1.7 times more trustworthy than businesses that don't. This also applies to negative feedback, which can be difficult to respond to, but useful.
Don't forget that all reviews are on your GMB profile, so potential customers can always see how your company handles unhappy customers. Stay professional, polite and authentic.
The more positive reviews your GMB account has, the more likely it is to rank higher in the Google Places list, which is displayed at the top of the Google page.
More than just a Google My Business business profile
A Google My Business profile is a tool that can help you stand out in the Google search engine. Having a GMB account is essential for any local business. Your GMB profile provides essential information to your customers, so it's a tool to get your business noticed online.
The author of the article Saulė Grigienė, "Gilės Projektai" , Wix Partner