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OPTIMISING YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE LISTING IS NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES WANTING TO DOMINATE ONLINE SEARCHES AND REEL IN MORE CUSTOMERS. CONSIDERING THAT OVER 93% OF CONSUMERS RELY ON ONLINE SEARCHES TO FIND LOCAL SPOTS, NAILING THIS ASPECT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUSTLING AND BARELY GETTING BY. HERE ARE SOME TOP TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE ISN’T JUST ANOTHER DIGITAL WALLFLOWER BUT A MAGNET FOR CUSTOMERS EAGER TO DISCOVER WHAT YOU OFFER.
THE ADVANTAGES OF USING GOOGLE MY BUSINESS
Whether you’re looking to lure in new customers, shout about your business from the virtual rooftops, or elbow your way into even the most crowded markets, GMB has got you covered. Here’s why you should care:
VISUAL MAPS INTEGRATION
In the latest Google Marketing Live 2024, Google introduced a suite of AI-driven innovations for Google Ads that could make even the savviest digital marketers raise an eyebrow. Here’s the rundown:
Who doesn’t love a good map? Your Google Business Profile connects you with Google Maps, providing visual maps and GPS coordinates so your customers can find you effortlessly. This technology ensures that getting lost on the way to your business becomes a thing of the past.Thank you, technology.
BOOSTING SEO
GMB is your secret weapon when it comes to search engine optimisation. It gives your website’s SEO a nice little boost, making it easier for the locals to stumble upon your business. Combined with other digital marketing funnels, your Google Business Profile can give your SEO a kick in the right direction.
ENCHANCING YOUR APPEAL
Looking good at the top of search results isn’t just about vanity. When your business pops up first on Google, it shows that you have your act together. This leads to more clicks, more customers, and less competition stealing your spotlight.
GAINING VALUBALE INSIGHTS
Using your Google Business Profile gives you some really useful insights about how customers find and interact with your business. Whether they’re searching on Google or finding you on Maps, you’ll get the lowdown on their behaviour. You can then use this intel to fine-tune your marketing and stay ahead of the game.
MAINTAINING A HIGHER RANKING
Keeping your business at the top of search results is like staying in the VIP section of the internet. With an active Google Business account, your ranking not only stays put—it climbs.
INCREASING OVERALL ENGAGEMENT
Trust is everything. When customers feel they can rely on your business, they’re more likely to engage with your posts, promotions, and products. A well-maintained Google Business Profile builds that trust, leading to more clicks and more happy customers.
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE
Optimising your Google Business Profile might seem like jumping through hoops, but it’s worth every effort. Here’s a breakdown of the key points that will make your business shine online.
BUSINESS TITLE
The name of your business isn’t just for looks; it’s a significant ranking signal for Google. While stuffing your title with keywords might seem tempting, this approach can backfire. Overly long or keyword-heavy names appear untrustworthy and do not build recognition for your real-world brand. Furthermore, Google or even regular users may flag keyword-stuffed names as spam, leading to edits or penalties. Always adhere to Google’s naming best practices. For new businesses, consider a name that reflects a key search phrase to gain a competitive edge. Be cautious with city names in your title if you plan to expand, as this can create confusion and ranking issues.
ADDRESS
The physical address of your business is essential not only for foot traffic but also for local SEO. Searches containing “near me” have surged by over 200% in recent years. Proximity to the searcher’s location greatly impacts your local pack rankings. If your business is too far from your core consumer base, SEO improvements alone probably won’t be enough. Additionally, being outside the mapped borders of a city or too close to competitors can negatively impact your visibility.
CATEGORIES
Selecting the right categories for your Google Business Profile is essential. The primary category should represent your core offering to improve your ranking for that service. Beyond this, you have nine additional categories to fully describe your business. Proper category selection can help your listing appear in relevant searches and improve your local SEO. Researching competitors’ categories can guide effective choices.
WEBISTE LINKS
Linking to a strong, authoritative website can boost your local pack rankings. A well-developed website that addresses customer queries and showcases your business’s strengths will perform better in both organic and local search results. Investing time in SEO and continually improving your website’s quality can enhance its authority. By linking your Google Business Profile to your website, you reinforce its credibility and improve its chances of ranking well locally.
HOURS
Operating hours play a surprising role in local pack rankings. Businesses that are open during a search tend to rank higher than those that are closed. This effect can be tested by analysing competitors’ hours and finding gaps where your business can stay open longer or on different days to capture more traffic. While this strategy won’t work for all businesses, it can provide a competitive edge in some industries, ensuring higher visibility during key search times.
REVIEWS
Reviews are a critical factor for conversion and local SEO. Key elements influencing rankings include overall star rating, the number of reviews, and review content. Freshness and the rate of new reviews may also play a role. Developing a strategy to encourage steady, positive reviews and responding to them promptly can boost your business’s reputation and local search performance.
ATTRIBUTES
Attributes, accessible via the “More” tab in the Google Business Profile, can impact rankings. While some attributes are beyond your control, adding relevant ones can benefit your profile. For example, including the “small business” attribute can increase visibility. Regularly updating attributes ensures your profile is accurate.
SERVICES
Adding detailed service descriptions to your Google Business Profile can improve local rankings. Including as many relevant Google-suggested services as possible, along with custom services, can provide a comprehensive view of what your business offers. This detail helps Google understand your business better and match it with relevant searches, enhancing your local visibility.
PRODUCTS
Uploading your inventory through Google Merchant Center or Pointy can be helpful if you’re a product-based business. This integration creates a “See What’s In Store” section which helps your profile rank for product searches and appears in the product grid in organic results. This visibility can attract more customers and improve your overall local search performance. Keeping your product listings up to date ensures that potential customers have access to accurate information about your offerings.
Mastering your Google Business Profile is essential for improving your local standing and visibility. From perfecting your business title to managing reviews and optimising service descriptions, every detail counts. If managing all these details feels overwhelming, working with our team at Tidal can help boost your SEO and local reach. With our expertise, you can boost your business’s visibility and make sure your profile is a customer magnet, not just another face in the crowd.