All you need to know about Google My Business Account

December 24, 2021 4704 Business, GMB, SEO, Social Media and Digital Media Marketing

All you need to know about Google My Business Account

 

Even when a company’s website is informative and of excellent quality, it often doesn’t get much traffic, possibly because the designers were so focused on developing their website that they forgot to create and optimize their Google My Business (GMB) profile. Check out how make GMB work for you and attract more customers.

Today’s businesses require targeted Google visibility. Most businesses know that this involves optimizing their website and Google Ads, but few are aware that a third entity, their Google business listing, also demands optimization. Technically called a Business Profile; it is one of the simplest and most effective local marketing tools to generate traffic and customers.

Our author, Alex Lysak, a marketing specialist, has put together this step-by-step guide regarding all you need to know about Google My Business Account and how to advertise your business on it. It covers a detailed list of Google my business tips so that you can enhance your Google rankings, engage with consumers, manage your presence online, and acquire new customers. You can check out her profile read her other posts here.

1. What is Google My Business and how does it work?

Google My Business is a tool that assists in managing and optimizing your company’s Google Business Profile. When people look for your business or service using the Google search engine, a Google My Business account allows you to appear in search results. It is completely free, making it one of the most cost-effective marketing tools for both small and large enterprises. It’s a platform that gives you complete control over your company’s appearance in Google searches. It practically puts your company on the map.

Adding a location to Google Maps is the same as creating a Business Profile, and both are simple to do. Google requires only the business name, location, and category. Once Google has confirmed that it is not a duplicate, the Business Profile for that location will be created. Consumers can then leave reviews, upload images, ask questions, and even answer questions on the Business Profile. Google may also update the Business Profile with information gathered from various sources on the internet.

2. Benefits of Google My Business (GMB) profile

Many popular websites and businesses, such as Scanteam, use Google My Business. The following are the key benefits of having a Google My Business account. One of the biggest advantage is that, it boosts your organic SEO.

Allows customers to find your real location more easily:

Customers may easily identify the actual location of your retail business in Google Maps using GMB rather than relying on outdated word-of-mouth directions.

Significantly improve your search engine exposure:

Customers can locate you physically and digitally, thanks to GMB. It has the potential to boost your Google search exposure significantly. Furthermore, when potential clients search for local businesses, they are usually prepared to make a purchase.

Allows you to present useful information and allows customers to post reviews easily:

GMB allows businesses to add valuable information like their name, what they do, their location, phone number, website, hours of operation, and images, in addition to being easier to spot both physically and digitally. Customers can easily leave reviews on GMB, and businesses can easily manage the ratings they get. Customers will submit evaluations whether businesses like it or not if they had a good (or negative) experience. It’s convenient to have them all in one place so you can respond promptly and professionally.

3. How to optimize Google My Business?

Now that you’ve realized that Google my business is the key to getting found in local search, standing out above the competition, and earning consumers online, it’s time to go to work on doing just that. You can use your Google Business Profile to market and generate leads. You can develop a local SEO strategy for your business around the clock by following the below GMB optimization strategies:

4. How to create Google My Business (GMB) account?

Before you get started, it’s crucial to understand that a Google Business Profile is distinct from a Google My Business account. The latter is utilized to obtain access to the former and optimize it. This means you’ll need a Google My Business account and then instruct Google to connect it to your Google Business Profile to make the improvements outlined in this guide. You can create an account by:

1. Finish each section

Your Google Business Profile’s completeness helps Google rank you higher in local search results and enhances the number of activities people do after discovering your profile because there is so much information to present. Fill in the below sections of your profile to achieve maximum GMB optimization.

  • Name
  • Products and services
  • Address
  • Opening hours
  • Questions and answers
  • Posts
  • Website
  • Phone
  • Category and attributes
  • Reviews

2. Pay close attention to the details

The following are the methods to optimize your Google Business Profile’s contact information.

  • Ensure your company name is exactly what it is in real life. Google considers adding a location name or keywords to be spam, and you may be penalized.
  • Ensure your address matches your other online listings. This implies regularly using “st” vs. “street” or “co” vs. “company.” When Google evaluates your credibility, it takes these differences into account.
  • Specify your usual working hours as well as your holiday hours. This encourages potential customers to visit your store, as well as avoiding the possibility of receiving a poor review from someone who drove out to your store only to discover it was closed.

3. Select a category

When optimizing your Google Business Profile, picking a category is a must. This is why.

  • You become visible in ‘Discovery searches’. Most Google Business Profile visits come through discovery searches rather than direct searches. This is especially true for companies whose name does not convey the type of service they provide.
  • Highlight features that are unique to each category. Once you’ve decided on a category, Google provides you with category-specific tools to help you make your profile more appealing and successful. These particulars may encourage customers to select you over the competition.

Because Google only has a limited number of categories, it’s critical to pick the right ones. Here’s how to use categories to improve your Google Business Profile.

  • Be as precise as possible. For example, if you’re a restaurant, Choose “Indian Restaurant” instead of just “Restaurant.” You can also check out the full list of GMB categories here to make sure you find the most relevant one for your business.
  • Add a secondary category. Many companies fall under more than one category. Set your major category to your main offering, then select any other applicable categories.
  • Don’t go overboard. Only choose those categories that correspond to your product or service if you want Google to help link you with potential customers.

4. Upload pictures

After creating your Google My Business profile, you can optimize Google my business by uploading your logo and cover picture. It is critical to upload images to your Google My Business account dashboard for the below three reasons:

  • It makes your profile Interesting. You can make your profile appear best by adding attractive high-definition photos. The more frequently you add images to your Google+ profile, the more likely it is that Google will see you as a person who is active and engaged with their service.
  • Images will appear in the search results. Google is improving its image recognition technology and includes photos in local search results.

5. Boosts customer participation

Customers are more likely to request driving directions to a business if it has images in its Business Profile, and they are more likely to visit its website if it contains photos.

You can promote your business, products, or handiwork by uploading photos. Make sure you’re not using stock photographs or ones with special effects. Concentrate on high-resolution photographs with clear descriptions. For further information, check out the Google photo guidelines.

6. Include distinctive features and attributes

Depending on the category you select, Google business accounts have special features. Here’s an overview of available category-specific features:

  • Resorts can display ratings as well as a list of amenities.
  • Menus, famous dishes, and a link for online ordering and bookings can all be uploaded by bars and cafes.
  • Service-oriented firms can include a service menu and a booking button on their website.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses can add product brochures.

You may also add verifiable attributes to your profile to provide further information to your customers. Attributes are unique features that potential customers look for. “Pet-friendly” or “free wi-fi” are examples of this, and Google will provide you with a selection of attributes to check off to further describe your company.

5. Request reviews

Because Google recognizes that customer reviews are the most influential aspect in consumer purchasing decisions, their algorithm is a critical ranking factor. The first three local results in the Google searches are those with several reviews and solid star ratings. If a Business Profile has reviews that include such keywords, Google may show it in search results.

People have a higher level of trust in other people than in businesses. A positive review can be the determining factor for potential customers. Reviews also improve your Google ranking.

The best moment to ask for a review is after you’ve given excellent service. Consider passing along a card or e-receipt that requests a review, whether in-store or online. You may also design a custom short link to make it simple to leave a review.

6. Reply to reviews to establish trust

Replying to reviews shows existing and potential clients that you respect their input. Businesses that respond to customer reviews are more reliable than those that do not respond.

Replying to reviews encourages more consumers to leave their own, tells a lot about your company to potential clients, and boosts your local SEO. Always react in your brand language and maintain a respectful and professional manner.

This holds for both positive and negative feedback. Don’t dismiss it. Turn things around by hearing and responding to the issues that have been raised. Be truthful, and when it’s appropriate, extend an apology. If the situation is delicate, request that they send you a private message.

Also, be sure to respond to queries. A consumer inquiry left on your Google My Business profile can be answered by anybody. Make every effort to be the first to react. Show people that your company is active and trustworthy, and you’ll avoid spreading false information.

7. Make a post on your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is just like a Facebook page, and you can use it to make announcements, promotions, events, and list items available. Posts are created in your Google My Business dashboard and appear in your Business Profile’s “Updates” section at the bottom. However, depending on the search query, they may become more visible.

Here are some suggestions for using posts to optimize your Google Business Profile:

  • Post regularly since the purpose of posting is not only to provide signals to Google but also because certain posts expire once every seven days.
  • Marketing campaigns with a deadline should use events and offer posts. You can select a timeframe, and the posts will be visible for the duration of that period.
  • Ensure that every post has links and a call to action.

8. Establish a Messaging service

This tool allows people to send a text message directly to their phone from your Google Business Profile. With most smartphone shoppers conducting local searches on their devices, this is an excellent opportunity for customers to contact you.

Click the “Messaging” tab in your Google My Business dashboard to allow messaging, and you can install it from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Conclusion

Google My Business puts your vital business information in front of the eyes of potential customers who are looking for your product, service, or experience through the search engine Google.

Maintaining a Google My Business profile can provide a wide array of benefits in improved customer service and increased search engine visibility. Consistent participation is required to get these benefits. It’s also a free and useful tool on top of everything else.

Therefore, concentrate on using your Google My Business dashboard to create a Business Profile that accurately and comprehensively represents your company. Make sure you keep it up to date, and you will enjoy the benefits of doing so.