How to Optimize Your ‘Google My Business’ Listing

Updated 8/19/2018

Google local business listing optimization is imperative.

Do you realize, after proximity, your ‘Google My Business’ page is the largest ranking factor for Google’s Local pack/Finder?

Furthermore, approximately half of the consumers who own smartphones that do a local search will visit a nearby business within 24 hours.

So, let’s explore how you can utilize this FREE and POWERFUL listing.

How Do I Optimize My Google My Business Listing?

It’s not enough to set up your Google My Business listing. You have to optimize it to get the full benefit.

Google Maps 3 Pack

When you do a Google search for a local business, it displays a map with three listed companies directly underneath.

This is known as the ‘Google maps 3 pack’.

You want to rank your business here because you’ll see a surge in traffic.

To achieve this, you’ll need to consider doing the following;

• Include your location within your websites meta tags.
• Increase positive reviews on your Google My Business listing.
• Increase the number of reputable websites linking back to your site.

For now, your main competition is the present ‘3 pack’. However, don’t worry about this too much because our advice will help you outrank them.

Add Your Business Information To Google My Business

Ensure you’ve correctly listed your brand name, address, and contact details.

Include as much information about your company as possible. Don’t forget to add your business hours and website.

Pro Tip: Make sure your brand name, address, and contact details match what’s on your website. Google’s algorithms are sophisticated and consider this when ranking your business.

Ideally, you should also embed the location of your business on your website using Google maps.

Add Pictures To Your Google My Business Listing

Images are essential to optimizing your listing.

We advise uploading photos of both inside and outside your business.

Not only does this help customers locate your shop, but it’ll also convey the personality of your business.

You’ll have the option of adding photos of your team and images of your products. Be sure to take advantage of this.

Create Categories In Google My Business

Assigning categories to your listing will make your business easier to find.

Be specific as to the kinds of products and services you provide. Steer away from focusing on the features of your business.

This will guide you to select the correct category for your niche.

Get Reviews On Your Listing

Reviews are essential if you want to run a profitable local business.

This statistic says it all; 74% of customers claim that a positive review makes them trust a business more.

It’s as simple as this, the more positive reviews your listing has, the more likely it’ll appear within the ‘3 pack’.

With that in mind, start asking customers to leave you a review. There’s no time like the present to get going with this!

Take Advantage of the ‘Google Posts’ Feature

One powerful feature available to you as a business owner on your Google My Business page is the Google Posts.

This feature allows you to create mini-ads or posts with a picture or video, a 300-word description, an offer, the landing page URL, contact information and more.

Recently (In July 2018) Google even added a ‘call now’ button option to the posts feature, helping you corral even more customers!

These posts are featured on your profile for up to one week and you get free insights to see how effective each post performed in search and Google Maps.

Pro Tip: When creating posts advertising an upcoming event, product, service, special offer or sale, be sure to include keywords and phrases relevant to your business and city in the copy of the post. This will help with your local SEO and improve your chances of getting a local customer to your store.

Capitalize on the Q&A Feature

One of the most under-utilized features of your GMB page is the Q&A element.

Presumably designed for customers to be able to ask (and answer!) questions about your business, it is typically overlooked by business owners thinking they can’t control the narrative.

The truth is, its the perfect place for you as the business owner to actually ask and answer your own frequently asked questions, thereby controlling the narrative of your business.

Register Your Contact Details With other Listings

The more places you register your contact details on the web, the better.

This is why your business details must remain consistent across your online presence.

If you’re looking to register your businesses details on other platforms, start with these:

• Yelp
• Foursquare
• TripAdvisor

In addition to this a simple Google search on ‘where can I list my local business’ will point you in the right direction.

Do you need Google Local Business Listing Optimization?

If you’re in need of Google local business listing optimization, please feel free to contact us, and one of our team of experts will be more than happy to help.

Alternatively, please browse our Local SEO solutions page for further information.