Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool from Google that helps businesses manage their online presence across the search engine. It’s a vital aspect of Local SEO, as it increases your chances of showing up in Google’s Local Pack, Local Finder, Google Maps, and organic rankings in general. This chapter guides you through setting up and optimizing your GMB profile for local success.
Setting up Your Google My Business Profile
- Create a GMB Account: If you haven’t already, create a Google account for your business. Go to the Google My Business page and click on “Manage Now.” From there, you’ll be prompted to enter your business name.
- Enter Your Business Information: Provide as much information as possible, such as your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. The more complete your profile, the better.
- Choose Your Business Category: Choose the category that best fits your business. This helps Google decide which searches your local listing belongs in.
- Verify Your Business: Google needs to confirm your business is legitimate and that you are the owner. This is typically done by mailing a postcard to your business address with a verification code.
Optimizing Your GMB Profile
Once your GMB profile is set up, you need to optimize it. Here’s how:
- Upload High-Quality Photos: Photos help your listing stand out and give potential customers a glimpse of what to expect. Include various high-quality photos of your products, services, staff, and premises.
- Use Keywords in Your Business Description: Just like your website and content, keywords play a vital role in your GMB profile. Be sure to naturally incorporate relevant keywords into your business description.
- Keep Your Information Updated: If any of your business information changes, such as your hours of operation or phone number, update your GMB profile as soon as possible.
- Encourage Customer Reviews: Reviews are a significant factor in local search rankings. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile, and be sure to respond to them—both positive and negative—in a professional manner.
- Use Google Posts: Google Posts is a feature that allows businesses to share updates and offers directly on their GMB profile. This is a great way to engage with your audience and keep them updated.
- Answer Questions: GMB allows users to ask questions about your business directly on your listing. Make sure to monitor and respond promptly to these questions.
- Analyze Your Insights: GMB provides valuable insights into how customers interact with your listing, such as how they found your business and what actions they took. Use this information to continuously optimize your profile and improve your local SEO strategy.
Mastering Google My Business is an ongoing process that requires regular updates and optimization. But with time and effort, your GMB profile can become a significant asset in attracting local customers to your business.
P.S. If you need help ranking higher on than your competitors on Google My Business, text or call (601) 436-4112 or email us at [email protected].