Essential Google My Business Optimizations
One of the most important Google My Business optimizations is to supply as much information as possible. The more information you provide, the higher your listing will rank on Google. However, be wary of adding additional keywords as this is against Google’s terms of service and may get your listing penalized. Listing your business’s local phone number is also very important as this is a sign of legitimacy. Make sure that you enter your actual local phone number in the primary slot, as well as a call tracking number.
Optimizing your Google My Business profile
Optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile is a great way to attract more customers. Not only will it help you get found in local searches, but it will also help you distinguish yourself from your competitors. Having a complete and accurate GMB profile will help you rank higher on local search results.
The most important thing in a Google Business Profile is customer reviews. These can help you increase your rankings by up to three times! However, it’s important to note that a Google Business Profile is not a one-time job. You need to update it regularly, just like you would your social media pages. This means responding to reviews quickly and uploading new photos at least once a month. You can also post updates under the reviews section, as well as update your business section with new information and events.
Adding a category
The initial category you add to Google My Business has a big impact on the way a searcher views your business. Although most business owners have an idea of what they want to be known for, it can be a trial-and-error process to choose the category that best describes your business. To make this process easier, Google provides a field for you to type your category. Once you’ve added the category, Google will filter your listing by the keyword you selected.
The more specific you are, the better. While it may sound obvious, Google rewards businesses that have specific GMB categories. It is also a good idea to include supporting categories as well. However, these should be used sparingly and only when they make sense for your business. In addition, avoid adding too many categories, because too many categories can signal to Google that your business is not specialized enough. In general, five or fewer categories are recommended.
Adding a photo
If you want to rank higher on Google, you need to add a high-quality photo to your Google My Business listing. Photos must be under 10MB in size and should be either a JPG or PNG file. They should be free from significant alterations and should accurately reflect your business.
In addition to adding a photo to your Google listing, you should also use User Generated Content (UGC). This means that you should avoid uploading duplicate photos. When you do, make sure that the filename is different from the photo you already have. Make sure you choose the right filename for your photo, which should be something that describes the image.
Keeping your profile active
Keeping your profile active on Google My Business can make a big difference in how your business is seen by users. The more updated and relevant your profile is, the more likely people will be to click on it. It also helps if you include images to your profile, as they tend to create more interest. Using professional photos is a great way to ensure the quality of your profile. Adding pictures on a regular basis will show Google that you are active and up-to-date, which will help you rank higher.
Using the message feature in Google My Business can help you engage with customers. Many smartphone users use their phones to perform local searches, and the message feature makes it easy for them to contact your business via text message.
Finding duplicate listings
If you’ve noticed multiple listings for your business, you may need to find and merge them. Duplicate listings can confuse search engines and consumers. They may not know which listing to trust, and business owners may not be aware that they’re actually managing an authoritative listing. Even worse, inaccurate information on duplicate listings can be pushed out to other platforms and outrank the authoritative listing.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get rid of duplicate listings on Google My Business and other directories. One way is to claim the listings of your competitors. There are two methods for claiming your listing: manual search and paid search. Both methods can help you get rid of duplicate listings and improve your search rankings.
Adding a Q&A section
Adding a Q&A section to your Google My Business profile will make it more likely that your business will show up in search results. This section of your GMB profile is public, and users can post questions there. This will improve your chances of showing up in local searches. It is also a great way to engage with customers and showcase your business better than competitors.
Google’s Q&A section is a great way to respond to customer questions and give them more information. The section also gives you the opportunity to answer questions before they even ask them. That is extremely helpful because it can influence a customer’s decision to buy something. For example, answering the question “Do you have parking” can turn a passerby into a customer. Be sure to use the section wisely and respond quickly to any questions.
