Google Business Profile - Why You Need It And How To Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Today's businesses require a targeted Google presence. Most companies are aware that this necessitates optimizing their website and Google Ads, but many are unaware that there is a third entity that also requires optimization: their Google business listing. This powerful listing, officially known as your Google Business Profile, is a dynamic snapshot of your business that displays your greatest qualities and allows potential customers to rapidly locate, learn about, and connect with you.
Matt RobinsonJun 13, 202211 Shares299 Views
Google Business Profile, which used to be called Google My Business, is a free tool that lets businesses control how they show up on Google's many services, like Maps and Search.
Whether you have a brick-and-mortar store or an online business, it's easy to turn people who find you on Google into customers.
A study found that 81 percent of US customers think it is very important to be able to find a local store quickly by searching online.
A Google Business Profile could make it easier for customers to find your business, find your products, get news and information about your business, and buy from you. It could also help you make more sales.
Why You Need A Google Business Profile
Increased Visibility Across Google
You might have the best store in the world, giving your customers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
But if no one can find you online, it will be hard to grow your audience and get more clients.
A Google Business Profile could help customers find your business through Google Search, Maps, and Shopping.
Joy Hawkins, who runs a local SEO consulting company called Sterling Sky, thinks that every local business should have a Google Business Profile in order to compete in search engines.
"The data suggest that between 30% and 40% of search results show local packs," Joy said.
A "local pack" is a group of three listings for local businesses that show up when someone searches for something like "boutiques near me."
Control Your Business Information
When meeting clients online for the first time, it's important to make a good first impression.
Once your business has been verified, you can control the information that searchers find when they look for your business or its products and services.
This lets you highlight important information while also showing how unique your brand is.
You can change things such as:
- Phone number, hours of operation, and health and safety tips.
- There are cover images, logos, and services that can be used.
- Women-owned, Black-owned, and welcoming to LGBTQ+ people are a few examples.
- Text or video posts that show special deals and things to do.
- Things to sell.
You can also change your company's profile, respond to reviews, and run your business from anywhere with the Google My Business app.
Get Customer Reviews
93 percent of new buyers look for reviews before they buy something.
Customers who aren't sure what to buy can get help from what other customers have said.
Even though it's hard to get people to post reviews, it's important to do so in order to build credibility and improve the image of customers.
Review stars show up next to your Google Business Profile in Search and Maps.
Customers could be asked to leave reviews by giving them a URL for your business or by reminding them in person.
Google also gives you the option to respond to customer feedback, which is another useful tool.
So, if a customer writes a bad review, you can answer it right away and fix the problem.
If someone gives you a good review, you can thank them in public.
How To Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Google ranks local search results based on these three things:
Relevancy: The degree to which your Google My Business listing matches a search query.
Distance: How far away your location is from where the search or searcher is.
Prominence: How well-known is your business?
(based on things like links, number of reviews, review scores, and SEO)
Here are some ways to improve your overall score in all three areas.
Include Keywords In Your Profile
Using relevant keywords will make a site more relevant.
Don't know where to start?
Use Google Keyword Planner or Google Trends.
Google Analytics, Hootsuite Insights, and social monitoring tools can also help you find the phrases people use to find your business.
Add them to your business description in a way that sounds natural.
Don't put too many keywords in your content or use ones that have nothing to do with it. This could hurt your search ranking.
Encourage And Answer Reviews And Questions
People care more about other people than they do about businesses.
A good review could be what makes a potential client decide to hire you.
Because of the reviews, your Google ranking will also go up.
When you've done a great job, that's the best time to ask for a review.
Google makes it easier by giving a direct link to invite people to rate your business.
Google Business Profile (Formerly Google My Business) Facts And Statistics
Queries Including ‘Near Me’ Have Surged In Recent Years
It's common for people to use Google to find out where to eat, what to do, and what to buy when they move, go on vacation, or need a new service.
Google Consumer Insights says that searches for "near me" have increased by more than 200 percent in the last two years!
To take advantage of this trend, make sure your Google Business Profile page listing shows up near the top of local search engine results pages (SERPs).
Over Half Of Google Business Profile Interactions Produce Website Visits
If you can get potential customers to connect with your Google Business Profile, there's a good chance they'll visit your website.
When people go to your website, you may be able to convince them to buy something, try something out, sign up for a mailing list, and so on, either online or in person.
GBP’s Q&A Section Allows You To ‘Pin’ Frequently Asked Questions
The faster someone gets an answer to their question, the happier they will be.
If you answer common questions in search results instead of answering the same question over and over on the phone, you'll save a lot of time.
You can move these Frequently Asked Questions to the top of your Google Business Profile.
When Writing A Review, 20% Of Consumers Expect A Timely Response
Many customers just want to tell you about their experience with your company and go on with their lives.
But almost 20% of clients want a quick reply from the business owner.
As a best practice, you should try not to leave any reviews, good or bad, unanswered.
It can be tempting to ignore feedback that isn't good.
On the other hand, customers want to know how your company responds to criticism.
People are more likely to buy from you if you are actively working to fix company mistakes.
Of course, you might not be able to help customers who refuse to change.
In this situation, talk about your company's rules in a businesslike way.
People Also Ask
What Is A Google My Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is a simple tool for managing a company's or organization's online presence on Google, including Search and Maps.
You can verify your business and change the information about your business to help clients find you and tell them your story.
Why Is Google My Business Important For SEO?
Google My Business has always been important because it's often the first thing people see when they search for your business.
There are many benefits to GMB.
A business's local SEO ranking can be improved just by having a full GMB listing.
It makes a quick first impression on searchers, who can see the most important information about your company on the right side of the interface.
Is Google My Business Free?
The creation of your Business Profile on Google is, in fact, completely free.
You can start reaching more customers as soon as you create a profile completely free of charge, and then you can manage your company from within Google Search and Maps.
Conclusion
Your Google My Business strategy, like any other Google SEO strategy, should focus on giving as much quality information about your business as possible, both in your Business Profile and in the sources that Google uses to fill it, like your website, review site profiles, and even your social media accounts.
We'll never know everything that goes into a ranking, but we do know what their main goal is: to connect searchers with the best business for their needs by giving them complete, reliable information.
So, use your Google My Business dashboard to make sure your Business Profile is as accurate and complete as possible about your business. Then, make sure to keep it that way, and you will see the benefits.
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