30-Second Summary:
- Claiming and verifying your GBP is essential for establishing control over your business information on Google, enhancing trust, and unlocking valuable insights for optimisation.
- Completing all profile sections, adding high-quality visuals, and actively managing reviews are key to boosting engagement, credibility, and SEO.
- Regularly updating your profile with posts, answering Q&As, and keeping information current is crucial for maintaining visibility and relevance in search results.
- Using posts, insights, and attributes effectively can further enhance your Google Business Profile, driving more traffic and building a stronger online presence.
Want a strong online presence for your business? Of course you do, so having your Google Business Profile up to date and optimised is vital. As it is often the first encounter a new potential customer will have with your brand online, optimising your Google Business profile ensures you can stand out, especially in local search results.
As we have previously covered why Google Business Profile is important for your business, here we’re going to focus on some key tips on how to optimise Google My Business listings and how they can help your SEO efforts.
Whether you’re setting up your profile for the very first time or refining an existing one, hopefully, you’ll be able to elevate your visibility and attract more customers – who wouldn’t want that? From how to claim your listing to engaging with customer reviews and utilising Google Analytics, we’ll cover essential methods you’ll want to try.
Does Google My Business Help SEO?
In short, absolutely it does, as Google My Business optimisation can help support local SEO strategies. If you can keep a comprehensive and accurate business listing, you significantly increase your chances of appearing in local search results, including Google’s Local Pack, Maps, and organic rankings. This visibility is crucial if you want to attract local customers who are ready to engage or make a purchase.
Here’s how Google Business Profile (GBP), boosts your SEO:
- Local Visibility – GBP listings are prioritised in local search queries, so a well-optimised profile increases your business’s visibility to users searching for relevant services or products in your area.
- Increased Traffic and Engagement – With features like click-to-call, directions, and website links, GBP listings create easier interaction, driving more traffic to your website or physical location.
- Relevant Information Boosts Relevance – Google values the relevance of your business to the searcher’s query. By ensuring your GBP listing is complete and accurate, you improve your relevance for specific search terms.
- Positive Reviews Enhance Trust – High-quality, positive reviews can improve your business’s visibility and attractiveness in search results. Google considers user engagement and feedback as signals of a business’s credibility and relevance.
In summary, optimising your GBP listing is not just about enhancing your online presence – it’s a strategic move to improve your local SEO and attract more customers by making your business more visible and accessible to those searching online.
Your Google Business Profile Optimisation Checklist
Here are some Google My Business optimisation tips to boost local reach and make the most of your free listing.
#1 – Claim and Verify Your Listing
Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile is a critical first step to boosting your SEO, allowing you to control your business information on Google. This enhances trust with not only Google but also potential customers, helping to unlock access to updates and insights about your business’s online interactions.
Quick Steps to Claim and Verify:
- Search for Your Business – Check if your business is already listed on Google.
- Claim Your Listing – If it exists, claim it. If not, create one via the Google Business Profile website.
- Verify Ownership – Google will need you to verify your ownership, usually via phone, text, email or video. Which methods are available will depend on the type of business you have and even the region. You can find more information on verifying your business on Google here.
Tips:
- Ensure all your business information is consistent across all platforms, including your website and social profiles.
- Follow Google’s guidelines carefully to avoid delays with verification.
- Be patient with the verification process, which may take up to 7 business days.
#2 – Complete Every Section of Your Profile
After claiming and verifying your GBP listing, you’ll need to complete every section of your profile accurately. Having a comprehensive and detailed profile increases the likelihood of engagement from potential customers. Complete profiles are more likely to stand out on SERPs, and according to Google, 2.7x more likely to be considered by customers as a reputable business, with them 70% more likely to visit your website and 50% more likely to purchase.
Essential Sections to Complete:
- Business Name – Match it with your actual business name.
- Categories and Services – Select relevant categories and list your offerings to improve search match accuracy.
- Business Hours – Keep your operating hours up to date, including special hours.
- Photos and Videos – Regularly upload high-quality visuals to showcase your business.
- Contact Information – Ensure your phone number and website are current.
- Description – Craft a compelling, keyword-rich description for Google Business Profile optimisation.
Tips to Optimise Google My Business Profile:
- Regularly review and update your listing to ensure accuracy. Outdated information can lead to a poor user experience and negatively affect your Google business listing SEO.
- Add keywords from your SEO strategy into your description and posts to enhance your visibility in search results.
#3 – Add High-Quality Photos and Videos
Adding high-quality, real photos and videos to your GBP is a powerful way to enhance your profile’s appeal and effectiveness. Visual content can significantly impact a customer’s decision to engage with your business, so providing a vivid snapshot of what you offer is always recommended.
Why Visuals Matter:
- First Impressions – Quality visuals showcase your offerings and create positive first impressions.
- Increased Engagement – Profiles with appealing images and videos see higher interaction rates according to Google, improving SEO.
Quick Tips for Visual Content:
- Diversity – Look to have a mix of photos showing your location, products, and team to provide a comprehensive view of your business.
- Quality Over Quantity – Prioritise clear, well-lit, high-resolution images for professionalism.
- Keep Content Fresh – Regularly update your visuals to reflect any changes or promotions, keeping your profile relevant.
- Authenticity Counts – Genuine photos connect better with potential customers, enhancing trust. While professional shots are beneficial, candid photos of your team and services in action can also positively impact customers.
Effective Use of Videos
- Engage Viewers – Short, engaging videos (30 seconds to 1 minute) showcasing your business or demonstrating services can captivate potential customers more effectively than text.
#4 – Encourage and Respond to Reviews
Having reviews on your GBP is critical for your online reputation and SEO efforts. Positive reviews can enhance your visibility and influence potential customers, while a well-handled negative review can show your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Importance of Reviews:
- SEO Benefit – Reviews influence your local search ranking, with Google considering their quantity, quality, and freshness. Businesses with more positive reviews can appear in Google’s Map Pack at the top of the SERPs, which appear in search results over 30% of the time.
- Builds Trust – Potential customers often check reviews to decide on your services, making your response to feedback crucial.
Effective Review Management:
- Prompt happy customers to share their experiences on your GBP listing, enhancing your profile’s credibility.
- Acknowledge all reviews promptly, showing you value customer input and are engaged with your audience.
- Address any negative comments by apologising and offering to resolve issues, demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Maintain a professional, positive tone in all responses, reinforcing a good impression of your business.
- Use reviews to pinpoint areas for improvement, refining your service or product offerings based on customer feedback.
#5 – Keep Your Information Up to Date
Keeping your GBP up to date is vital for maintaining accurate information and engaging potential customers. Regular updates ensure your business appears reliable and current, which will directly impact your SEO strategy and CX.
Importance of Updates:
- Accuracy – Up-to-date information on business hours, contact details, and services helps avoid customer confusion.
- SEO Boost – Google prefers active, frequently updated profiles, which can help improve your search rankings.
- Customer Engagement – New photos, promotions, and news keep your profile fresh and engaging.
How to Keep Your Listing Current:
- Monthly Check-ins – Regularly review and adjust your business information to reflect any changes.
- Use Posts Feature – Share updates, events, or offers to inform and engage customers.
- Adjust for Seasons – Update operational hours and services for holiday seasons or special events.
- Prompt Changes – Quickly update your listing to announce significant changes like a new location or expanded services.
Advanced Tips For Google Business Profile Optimisation
So, once you’ve got the basics of maintaining an up-to-date and fully detailed Google Business Profile, you can start to look at advanced strategies to further optimise your profile for even better SEO results and customer engagement.
#6 – Use Posts to Engage with Your Audience
- Share news, events, promotions, and offers directly on your GMB listing to engage with customers and keep your profile active.
- Regular posts can increase your visibility in search results and on Google Maps, drawing more attention to your business. As many as 40% of businesses have never posted on their Google Business Profile.
#7 – Answer Questions Through the Q&A Feature
- Make use of the Q&A feature to pre-emptively answer common customer enquiries, making your listing a comprehensive resource.
- Monitor and respond to questions from customers to ensure accurate information is provided, showcasing your attentiveness to customer needs. Other Google users can answer questions left on your profile, so it’s best to check any posts just in case they have wrong or misleading answers.
#8 – Track Your Performance with Google’s Insights
- You can access Insights, provided by Google, on how customers find your listing and interact with it. Use this data to refine your SEO strategies and improve customer engagement. You can learn more about getting started with insights
- Identify patterns in customer behaviour to adjust your business offerings and marketing efforts accordingly.
#9 – Add Attributes If Relevant
- Depending on your business, you may find adding attributes that refer to available amenities and other special information useful.
- Features like free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, or even star ratings for those in the hospitality sector can all be added. These can make your listing stand out and attract customers looking for specific amenities.
- Regularly update your attributes to reflect any new offerings or changes in your business. Here’s how to edit Business Profile attributes.
Make The Most Of Your Google Business Profile Today
So, now that you know why you should optimise your Google Business Profile and how to get started, all that’s left to do is claim your profile and begin filling it out. Staying proactive in updating your profile and engaging with any customer feedback is going to be key to maintaining a competitive edge. A well-managed GBP listing not only improves your search rankings but also builds customer trust, driving more traffic to your business.
With verified business profiles averaging around 1,803 monthly views from discovery searches, and 40% exceeding 1,000 monthly search views, what are you waiting for? If you aren’t sure where to start or need some expert advice, reach out to the Absolute team today.
For further insights, please visit our blog, where you can discover factors influencing consumer buying decisions and how to make your eCommerce website stand out.
