A successful local SEO marketing campaign incorporates many different elements. One of the biggest factors to emerge is Google My Business.
If you’ve only just entered the online marketing world, you might have only noticed the odd reference about Google My Business. However, don’t underestimate its importance. GMB is the control center for local business information that’s situated on Google and Google Maps.
Taking into account that most local searches are conducted through Google, your business info must be accurate, up-to-date, and freely available for your customer base to find.
Are you ready to harness the power of GMB and enhance your local SEO efforts? This guide is here to provide assistance.
What is Google My Business?
So what is GMB, exactly? In general, Google My Business is an online platform that any business is free to use. Once a business owner has claimed their profile, they can take full control over their business details. These details include:
- Business name
- Business category
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Photos
- Opening hours
With these details in mind, GMB is especially effective for any local company with physical premises. If someone is interested in your local business, they can use Google to instantly find info like your address and the days the store is open.
However, this is only scratching the surface of its functionality. GMB is more than just a platform for including business information. For instance, another feature is the ability to monitor customer reviews. Along with being able to leave replies, you may also flag reviews which have been posted inappropriately. GMB also offers free analytics, allowing you to gain an insight into how users discovered your business online.
Google Posts is another feature to keep in mind. With your GMB account, you have the option to produce Google Posts to share announcements, offers, news, and other business-related content. With a maximum word count of 300 words, there’s plenty of scope to produce posts that not only drive sales but boosts your local search ranking. This is particularly the case if you understand how to optimize your content – or enlist a professional writing service to do the work.
To create a GMB account, you can visit:
https://www.google.com/intl/en_usa/business/
This is where the GMB sign-in is on desktop. If you’re using a mobile device, you can also download and use the official GMB app.
Why Google My Business is so important
If you’re not quite persuaded yet, let us repeat: Google My Business is among the most essential elements for any local managed SEO campaign. As well as being a driving force behind your business, registering a high ranking position in organic search results, GMB is observed as the main ranking factor for local map-related searches.
With visibility in local search, customers find it much easier to discover your business. This is important for any local search plan as, in most cases, these are people who are ready, right there and then, to make a purchase.
When all GMB ranking factors are optimized on your profile, there’s a greater possibility of your business cropping up in general search queries. For instance, someone may type into Google, “Italian restaurant in Brooklyn”. If you operate an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, guess what: your GMB listing has a great possibility of hitting the first page of search results.
You might even be lucky enough to land in the “3 pack”. The “3 pack” is a separate group which spotlights the top three local GMB profiles that match a certain search query. The “3 pack” is even placed ahead of standard organic search results, so it’s a prime position for your business to occupy.
Just being on Google Maps is beneficial for your business. If customers are unsure where you’re located, they can quickly bring up the information with ease. It’s also vital you claim your GMB account because it’s not that rare for Google to get your location wrong. Other business owners have often looked at their position on Maps and wondered, ‘what is my business doing located there!?’ The rationale for this is that Google only uses your address to make an educated guess about its precise location on Maps. With a GMB account, you can set the “Pin” in exactly the right place.
Reviews are also posted on GMB accounts, and these are imperative for any type of SEO strategy. The more reviews you accumulate, the more it will positively affect your search ranking. Also, don’t be too disheartened by negative reviews. They’re not nice to receive, sure, but they also don’t have to be damaging for your business. If you respond in a compassionate, professional manner, other prospective customers will see this and judge your business favorably as a result. Don’t just respond to the negativity, either. Make sure to thank anyone who has left a positive review.
Google My Business is the cornerstone for any local business. On-page optimization, link building, creating posts – they all play their part, but GMB is required for massively enhancing your Google presence in local searches. Do you need help with your GMB profile? We’re always available to set up and optimize your GMB account – as well as your local SEO campaign on the whole.
