The Benefits of an Optimized Google Business Profile
Want to know a secret about how to compete against Amazon? Market to your local customers and have a Google Business Profile.
A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a large piece of real estate on Google’s search engine results page that’s completely free. The value of having one is that it can bring you significant results when you’re trying to get your business in front of customers searching for your products and services.
A Google Business Profile contains information about your business, like your location and operating hours. But it can do so much more. It’s one of the best ways businesses can improve their SEO rankings locally.
First, however, the listing needs to be optimized. There are many great strategies to achieve this, and we’re going to let you in on all those secrets as well!
The 3 Areas on Google Where Your Profile Can Appear
There are three areas where your profile details can appear across Google, including Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. So you need to make sure your information is up to date and includes relevant content for these areas.
The Essentials for Setting Up a Google Business Profile
To create a profile you’ll have to input your business information like your name, address, business phone number, website, and operating hours. As well, you'll need to pick a primary category (or industry) that your business falls under. If you're not sure what to select, try searching what your competitors have listed.
After your profile is set up, you can then add additional secondary categories. Which we recommend you do. Categories are key indicators of relevance for search queries. Having more than one can help you rank for additional business offerings.
Imaging & Technology Industry Insights:
Here are some keywords people are searching for on Google across North America that you can use for your primary and secondary categories:
- Printer Companies
- Managed Print Services
- Commercial Printers
- Printer Repairs
- Printer Maintenance
- Printer Rentals
- Printer Leasing Companies
- Computer Store
Here are 7 more ways you can elevate your Google Business Profile
1. Take Your Business Info Up a Notch
Although your business contact details are often standard, there are ways to improve your profile by adding extra information. For example, when filling out your location you'll want to put your business’s address, but you can also include additional service areas. This won’t help you rank for those areas, but it’s important to make it clear that you do service them.
Pro Tip:
Make sure your name, address, and phone number are consistent with everywhere else you have that information on the internet. Google will reward you for it! This includes any short forms you might use for street names, like Ave for Avenue.
2. Write an Engaging Description
Your business description needs information about your business and why customers should choose you. Try including your unique value proposition as a hook to draw them in. Also add details about your products and services, and a brief description of your company’s history.
The description is another place you can include keywords. Use one or two keywords to be concise and avoid overstuffing, which can make you sound “spammy.” Pick the most important keywords for your business. Keep them consistent, or at least relevant, to your primary category.
3. Add Eye-Catching Photos
Photos are powerful at grabbing people’s attention because it’s the type of content they enjoy seeing. According to Google, 35% of people are more likely to click through to websites on a Google Business Profile when there are photos.
Sharing photos allows you to highlight your business’s brand, while also humanizing your company and showing that you’re part of your local community.
Include photos of your logo, the outside and inside of your building, signage, team members, and activities your company does, like volunteering. This will help build brand recognition and promote your business.
Pro Tip:
You should also post videos highlighting why customers choose you. According to HubSpot, nearly nine out of ten people they surveyed wanted to see more videos from brands.
4. Utilize the Influence of Google Reviews
Reviews are an important part of your profile because it provides social proof that your business has already been helpful to others. You’ll want to make sure you monitor your reviews and respond to both positive and negative comments within 24 hours. Although a negative review might seem like it would harm your reputation, in most cases it helps to legitimize the positive ones. Too many positive reviews can look untrustworthy. Additionally, the more reviews you have the better it looks.
To find out our strategies for getting reviews read our blog on Google Reviews here.
5. Showcase Your Products & Services
Google is often the first place people look for research on products and services. Having them listed directly on your profile will provide quick access to those searching for them. You can add photos, categories, a price/price range, and a short description. And if you don’t see your services listed, then you can create a custom one.
Adding your products and/or services will increase your overall visibility, providing a better user experience for customers.
6. Improve Communication with Direct Messaging, Bookings, and Posts
We all live busy lives, and people want to find answers instantly. Further enhance your profile by making it easier for people to get in touch with you. Add a messaging feature and a direct booking option that can be accessed right from your profile. You can even create an automated message, ensuring people will get a response outside of your business hours.
Additionally, keep people informed by creating posts. These could be about promotions, events, updates, or FAQs. Posts offer you the perfect platform to keep your new and returning customers in the loop.
7. Don’t Skip the Little Details
There are a few more details you don’t want to miss adding to your profile, like attributes. Here, you can include information that you think your customers will care about. This could be that you offer onsite services, or are a woman-owned business.
Whatever your attributes are, they provide you with the opportunity to show what sets you apart from your competition. Your attributes could also be listed right in Google Maps, allowing your listing to be more noticeable.
As well, add in the date that your business opened. Your experience in the industry is valuable. The longer you’ve been in business, the more credible you’ll look.
Google is one of the best referrers out there, so make sure it knows all the details about your business. A Google Business Profile increases your visibility online and is a great communication tool. It’s one of the best ways to get local traffic to your site. Position your business to cater to the people searching for products and services “near me.”
Want to learn more about our other marketing strategies?
Visit our Marketing Services Page or read more blogs on our Digital Marketing Insights. Better yet, contact us for more information. We’d love to hear from you.
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