Are you wondering if Google My Business (GMB) can help you with Local SEO?
The short answer is YES!
GMB is an amazing tool for local businesses, as it can directly influence your search engine rankings. The more complete and accurate your GMB profile, the more your business will appear in search results.
But simply having your business listed there isn’t enough anymore. There are lots of optimizations to be had, so let’s learn about all of them!
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business, or Google Business Profile as it’s now called, is a free online tool provided by Google.
Organizations can use it to manage their online presence across a range of Google properties, including Search and Maps. GMB listings are found in the “Local Pack” of search results, with reviews and ratings by customers. They also offer directions, phone numbers, and website URLs.
People searching for local services can easily find their nearest service provider by checking Maps for a list of businesses available in their area.
Google My Business is a very cost-effective (it’s free!) way for businesses to maintain their online presence, allowing them to add, manage, and optimize their listings for customers, all without any charges.
Google My Business was originally rolled out in 2014 and has since grown in popularity, with many business owners using the tool to boost their local search engine rankings.
Why Is GMB Important for Local SEO?
Google My Business (GMB) is crucial for local search engine optimization (SEO).
It is the number one ranking factor in the local search, making up for an estimated 25% of local ranking factors. GMB Posts can improve local search rankings substantially, being the largest local pack/finder ranking factor, and lead to a direct increase in website traffic, with higher value referral traffic.
GMB Posts can be effectively used to boost web traffic to specific pages on the website, which can improve the search result rankings of those pages.
Having a verified Google My Business listing has a significant impact on local SEO and is highly recommended to businesses that are looking for better search visibility in their local area.
By optimizing their GMB listing, businesses can increase the online visibility of their business, receive better customer engagement, and improve their chance of being found by potential customers in their local area.
Does Google My Business Actually Contribute to SEO?
Yes, Google My Business does contribute to SEO.
It enables businesses to customize their presence in the Knowledge Graph, Google Maps, and organic search results.
According to Whitespark’s Local Search Ranking Factors Survey, Google My Business is rated as the most critical source of local SEO performance.
Using Google My Business, businesses can create a post that allows them to reach out to potential customers via their listing.
Besides, 78% of local mobile searches lead to a purchase in-store or online, making it a great way to attract customers to your business.
So yes, Google My Business should be a huge part of every local business’s marketing strategy in general.
Do My Business Posts Help SEO?
If you’re wondering whether having a Google My Business (GMB) listing can actually contribute to SEO, the answer is…most likely. Nobody really knows.
But there are many ways it’s been tested over the years, and the results look good enough that it’s worth doing.
These posts can increase the topical authority of your GMB listing and your website’s Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T).
And by directing traffic to specific pages on your website, your website rankings can receive a bump.
It’s also important to note that the best GMB posts are usually between 150 to 300 characters, even though captions for posts can be up to 1,500 characters.
Interaction with customers and reviews on GMB can further enhance SEO as it signals to Google that your business is active and engaged with its customers.
Also, if you link your posts to forms, you can collect leads for your email lists.
How Can I Improve My Google Business SEO?
Make sure that your business’s physical address is accurate and up to date.
Use Google my Business posts as a way to interact with customers and increase visibility.
Encourage your customers to write reviews on your Google Business Profile, which can increase your SEO ranking.
Keep in mind that updating and optimizing your information on your GMB listing on a regular basis can significantly improve your SEO rankings over time.
If there’s a section for information, add it.
For products and services, don’t just write the name of the service and call it a day.
Think of all the different ways people might search that service, what subservices there are, and then right out descriptions for each and every one.
Be detailed and thorough.
What Kind of Information Do I Include On My Business’ Google My Business?
When you set up your Google My Business account, it is essential to fill out all the necessary information your customers might want to know about your business, including its name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and customer reviews to help clients find you quickly.
Select the category that best fits your business’s nature from the more than 4,000 categories Google provides. Inclusion in the “Local Pack” and “More Places” maps offered by Google would increase your business visibility in search engine results.
Posting, comment, product, service, and pictures inspire customer interaction, which creates a fantastic user interface.
Then, to remain top of mind with potential consumers, update your Google My Business page with new deals, products, offers, or events periodically.
Such information will make it easier for your business to rank higher in search engine results pages, leading to better SEO.
Keep Your Listing Complete & Accurate
In order to make the most out of your business’ Google My Business (GMB) listing, it’s important to include as much accurate and complete information as possible.
This may include adding images and videos to your listing, which can help make it more engaging and attractive to potential customers.
Taking the time to review and respond to customer reviews on your listing can positively influence how customers view your business.
And be sure to take advantage of any additional features that Google My Business offers, such as adding a booking system or an online store.
By making the most out of these features, you may be able to further enhance your business’ online presence and aid your search engine optimization efforts.
Share Offers & Specials
Google My Business (GMB) is an excellent way for businesses to share important information and engage with their audience.
One type of information that can be shared on GMB is promotional offers and specials.
Businesses can create different types of posts, such as Offers, What’s New, and Events, which can include text, photos, videos, a coupon code, and a link to the business’s website.
Photos are also an important part of GMB as they can help customers get an insight into the business, products, and services.
By using GMB posts, businesses can increase engagement with the brand by enabling customers to access the website or call with one tap or click, or even book an appointment directly through the listing.
Sharing offers and specials on GMB can help businesses improve their local SEO and bring in more customers.
Post Encouraging Content
One way to maximize the benefits of having a Google My Business profile is to create posts that encourage engagement and drive traffic to your website.
Posts appear on your GMB profile when customers search for local businesses, and can provide valuable information about your company’s products or services.
By using different post types, you can improve your SEO and increase your chances of making more money from search results.
Posts may be used to promote offers, sales, products, and other information that your customers may find useful.
In addition, customers can access your website, call you, reserve a table, or book an appointment directly from your GMB listing, making it easier for them to engage with your brand.
Creating engaging and informative posts on your Google My Business profile is an effective way to boost your SEO and attract more customers to your business.
Create a Media-Rich Listing
To make the most out of your Google My Business listing, it’s important to include all relevant information about your business.
Creating a media-rich listing that includes photos, videos, and virtual tours can help increase your business profile and interact with customers.
Customers also appreciate when businesses take advantage of all available features on the listing to keep them informed and provide a good user experience.
By optimizing your Google My Business profile, you can boost local search engine optimization (SEO) and online exposure.
This includes making sure that your business’ name, address, and phone number are accurate and up-to-date.
It’s also important to manage your Google My Business listing correctly during a pandemic to let customers know about any changes in opening hours or shipping.
Generate and Respond to Reviews
To maximize the benefits of having a Google My Business, it’s important to include a variety of information in your listing.
After you add the basics such as your business name, address, and phone number, you should also generate and respond to reviews.
By responding to reviews, businesses can increase credibility and transparency.
It’s important to respond professionally and in your brand voice, and offer an apology when warranted.
You can view and respond to reviews by clicking the Reviews tab in the left menu of the Business Profile Manager.
Studies show that businesses that respond to reviews are 1.7 times more trustworthy than those that don’t.
Detail What Your Company Provides in Services and Products Sections
When filling out your business’ Google My Business page, it’s important to include detailed information about the products and services you offer in the appropriate sections.
This will help potential customers find the information they need quickly and easily.
Including these products and services not only helps customers find the right service provider they need, it also helps Google know more about your company overall.
Experiment with CTA buttons
One of the best ways to increase customer engagement is by adding clickable CTA buttons to your profile.
These buttons allow customers to easily interact with your business and promote more positive reviews, bookings, and purchases.
To maximize your success, it’s important to monitor your competition and experiment with different CTA buttons.
Avoid these common mistakes with your Google posts
To ensure maximum benefits of Google My Business on SEO, it is essential to avoid common mistakes with Google posts.
Keeping your business information up to date on Google My Business is a must.
Leverage Google Posts to keep your customers informed of any changes in operating hours or promotions.
Mark your business as temporarily closed if needed.
According to a BrightLocal study from 2019, localized content has potential to generate more views, clicks, and actions for your business listing.
Keep these best practices in mind while using Google My Business, and watch your SEO efforts thrive.
Let Noved Solutions Help With Your Google My Business and Local SEO Needs!
By listing your business on GMB, you can improve your search rankings, increase visibility, and attract more customers.
Noved Solutions can help optimize your website and your listing for maximum visibility.
We can help you get quality local backlinks and customer reviews to build a strong link profile.
Contact Noved Solutions today to learn how we can help with your Google My Business and local SEO needs!