Almost 50% of all Google searches are local. If you're struggling to get more customers this year, consider your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. Are you making the most of local SEO?
Local SEO will help you reach nearby customers. It's not enough to post content on your website, though. You also need to optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing.
Your GMB listing helps customers find your store, phone number, and other relevant information. Learning how to optimize Google My Business listings could give you an edge. You can rank higher than your competitors and reach more customers than before.
Ready to start getting website hits? Use these tips for getting more customers through your GMB listing.
With these tips, you can grow your business and experience long-term success!
Are you wary about making changes to your Google My Business listing? Learning how to optimize Google listings can benefit your business. Here are six ways Google optimization can support your business goals.
Only a select number of people pass your store on a daily basis. With Google optimization, you can expand your reach.
When you optimize Google My Business listings, you're supporting your search engine optimization strategy. SEO can help you rank higher on Google. When your GMB listing appears, consumers will see your store's address and location.
They can use your GMB listing for directions to your store. In fact, customers are 70% more likely to visit a business with a GMB listing.
Your customers are online every single day. They're searching for local businesses, products, and services. They're also asking questions and looking for solutions to their problems.
Google optimization can help you appear in front of customers who already have an interest in what you offer. You can draw these consumers to your business with your GMB content.
Otherwise, you'll fail to generate brand awareness. Without brand awareness, people won't realize you exist. They'll choose your competitors instead.
It's not enough to show up on the second or third page of a Google search. Instead, you need to hit the top of the first page. Reaching the top will help you appear in front of as many consumers as possible.
You can start getting more customers to your website and storefront. People will start to see the value you can offer. Then, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and expand your business!
It's not enough to appear in front of customers. You also need to give them a reason to choose your brand.
What unique value do you offer? How do you differentiate yourself from competitors? Why should customers visit your store before anyone else's?
You can use your GMB listing to provide consumers with the information they need. For example, you can add different elements to your GMB listing, including:
Your posts can help consumers recognize your value. Then, you can draw them to your store.
How will people find you? Do they know where you're located? What are your hours?
Your GMB listing will also display your:
With COVID-19 quarantines still in progress, it's sometimes difficult for customers to find the information they need. You can use your GMB listing during emergency situations to keep people informed. You can use your listing to post updates to let people know if you:
Otherwise, customers might gain inaccurate information. They might become confused or feel frustrated. Their customer experience will decline as a result.
Consumers could feel let down by your brand. They'll remember their negative experience and maybe even tell others.
You might lose future business as a result.
By keeping your customers informed, you can improve their experience. They'll remember the convenience you offered and come back for more.
Consumers are twice as likely to view a verified business on Google as reputable than others. Why? A verified listing can help you build brand trust and loyalty.
Consumers want to choose businesses they can trust. To trust your business, they'll need to learn more about you, first.
You can use your listing to remain transparent with your customers.
Your GMB listing will also display reviews from your recent customers and clients. Customer reviews can help future customers trust you. They can learn about someone else's experience with your brand.
If they're on the fence about buying your product or service, a review can give you an edge. Many consumers trust reviews as much as they do personal recommendations.
Your credibility will grow (and your SEO ranking with it). Consumers are more likely to trust businesses at the top of search pages, too.
Once you develop brand trust, brand loyalty will grow. You can then retain repeat customers. Your repeat customers can give your business a boost!
You can then spend less time and money on costly advertising strategies and more time nurturing leads.
Reaching the first page of a search can help you:
Improving your GMB listing can help your SEO ranking improve. As more people visit your website, Google will take notice. Your SEO ranking will keep rising.
Then, you can generate more website and foot traffic.
When people see your GMB listing, they can click on a direct Google reviews link to your website. Then, they can explore your content and decide if you offer what they need. An on-the-fence customer might read your GMB reviews before deciding to visit your store in person.
Getting website hits can further improve your ranking, too. You'll appear in front of more customers and keep generating brand awareness.
As you start attracting more website traffic, you can also generate more leads, conversions, and sales. People will feel more confident in your business after reading your Google reviews, too. They'll trust your brand and choose you for what they need.
Now that you know more about the benefits of improving your GMB listing, let's get started! Here's everything you need to optimize Google My Business listings with ease.
First, you'll need to create your account. You can go here to get started. You can either create a new Google account or sign in with an existing one.
If you already have a GMB listing, you can skip to step three.
Enter your business name and add your business to Google. Make sure to choose the right category for your business. Choosing the right category will ensure your listing suits the consumer's search intent.
Then, enter your physical location. Adding your location can help you appear on the Google Map. If you don't have a physical location, add your service area.
Fill in your contact information, including your website, address, and phone number.
Once you create your account, you'll need to verify your business.
Click "Verify Now" and choose how you want to start the process.
For example, you can receive a postcard by mail, which is the default option. You can also use email or phone if you're eligible.
If your business already appears on Google, you'll need to claim it instead. Log into your GMB account. Then, search for your business and confirm you're the owner.
You should see an "Own this business?" link at the bottom of the listing. Once you're the owner, you can edit your business information.
When editing your information, make sure the same information appears on your website. Keep everything consistent.
Google determines local SEO rankings based on distance, relevance, and prominence. Use the correct keywords in your listing to improve your relevance.
Businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions than those that don't. You can ensure your listing stands out by adding images to your GMB profile.
First, make sure to use your most recent logo. You can add a cover image, too. Make sure the images you choose suit your brand.
Then, add images of your storefront. Show off the inside and outside of your store.
Images of your storefront will help people find your business.
Consider adding photos of your products or your team hard at work.
Do you have a restaurant? Show off your dishes.
Make sure to use professionally shot photos. Otherwise, your images might not speak to the quality you can offer.
You can start getting more customers by providing consumers with the information they need.
Make sure to include your business hours. If you plan on closing for a holiday or event, update your listing right away. Otherwise, people might visit your store, expecting you to be open.
You could frustrate those customers and lose their business in the future.
Create a description to provide people with more information about your business. First, consider adding your unique mission statement. You can also use your description to highlight your unique value proposition.
What target keywords are you trying to appear for in a search? Consider adding SEO keywords to your description as well. Using the right keywords can help your business appear for relevant searches.
Keep your description brief and to the point.
Google will review your description before it's published. Make sure to follow Google's best practices. Avoid typos, offensive speech, or promotional language.
Don't forget to mention your special features and attributes. The category-specific features include:
Attributes could provide people with more information about your business, too. For example, do you have a wheelchair-accessible parking lot? Maybe you offer free WiFi.
Focus on features that will provide customers with the value they're looking for.
Adding posts can optimize Google My Business listings, too.
You can create posts that announce your newest products or services. Let people know if you have an event or special offer, too. Try to update your posts regularly to ensure your content is fresh and relevant.
Encourage people to post their reviews on your GMB listing. You can develop a strategy for acquiring new reviews. Reviews will boost your SEO ranking and help you build brand trust.
Over 90% of customers read reviews before they make a purchase. Another 93% read reviews to determine a local business's quality. About 92% are more likely to make a purchase after reading a review.
In fact, reviews can help you generate more revenue. Conversion rates increase by 380% when higher-priced items have reviews. If you have 25 current reviews, your revenue can increase by 108%.
Customers will feel more comfortable with your business after reading reviews. In fact, reviews make customers 71% more comfortable buying from brands.
Don't forget to respond to the reviews you receive, too. Let people know you're listing and care about their needs.
As people start asking questions, don't forget to answer!
You can even use their questions to create an FAQ.
You can use a review management tool to request fresh reviews. Otherwise, stale reviews might not benefit your business.
You can optimize your GMB listing by gathering insights. A data report can help you determine how people find your listing. It can also tell you what search queries lead to your listing.
The data you gather can help you make informed decisions in the future.
Give your business the boost it needs! By learning how to optimize Google My Business listings, you can improve your SEO ranking. Consumers will have an easier time finding your business as a result.
Then, you can start getting more customers to your store!
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