How To Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

How to optimize your Google My Business Listing and get free and targeted traffic for your business. When it comes to your online business footprint, just having a high-quality website isnt going to cut it when it comes to finding online marketing success. SEO professionals will tell you that you have to implement multiple strategies in order to rank higher on Google Maps and Search. Since Google has become such an online powerhouse, it would make perfect sense to put this free tool in your digital marketing tool box and make it work for you.

What is a Google My Business Listing?

A Google My Business (GMB) listing is a free tool from  Google that allows businesses to manage their presence with the use of Google Search and Maps to help increase their online exposure. Your Google My Business Listing provides so much of your business info at a glance without a visitor having to click through to your website. This information includes your address, phone number, hours of operation, business description, your site’s link, directions to your physical location, customer’s reviews and even posts listing the services/products that your company provides.

How to create a Google My Business (GMB) listing?

Make sure you visit the Google My Business Page to create a listing and add all your business information. Since GMB listings are searched by categories be sure to place your business in the most relevant category for your profession. It is often thought that businesses that operate solely online dont need a GMB listing but this is further from the truth especially since Google allows businesses the option of not listing their address if they do not have a physical business location. As we know, many businesses today operate solely online.

Respond to reviews through Google My Business console.

This is often overlooked with a Google My Business Listing when it comes to customers who have left reviews. Whether a review is positive or negative it helps your business listing a great deal by responding to them as soon as possible. Communication is key and you want to convey that to potential customers who may browse your reviews to decide if they want to contact you for products or services. Many potential customers actually put more stake in reviews than word of mouth referrals about a business, so it is up to you to let people know that your company is trustworthy and that you handle things in a calm and professional manner. Simply thank your customers for leaving positive reviews, however, dont avoid responding to negative reviews.

Dont set your Google My Business listing and then forget it.

If you use this approach, you may be showing incorrect information or not making the most out all the features that Google’s GMB listing has to offer. One of my favorite features is to add posts to your listing which will give some insight on how your business is conducted or let you see a ‘day in the life’ type of post that actually works as an ad.  They can be Updates, What’s new, an Offer, Discount or some special Event that is quickly approaching and you want your customers to be aware of and hopefully come and visit your location.

If you would like a Google My Business Listing or our Advanced GMB Optimization Monthly service, then contact Alnisa Designs & Co. today.