How can Google My Business Boost Local SEO?
Note: Google My Business has been rebranded as Google Business.
Just “Google it.”
If only I had a nickel every time I heard this phrase!
Google has pretty much monopolized internet searching. And don’t let me dictate you into believing it — although I doubt this statement needs any proof.
According to a report by NetMarketShare, Google alone accounts for more than 76 percent of online traffic.
After all, when was the last time you used any other search engines besides Google?
If you are not using Google to promote your business even after knowing just how lucrative it can be, then you are making a drastic mistake.
One of the best ways to promote your business is by creating a company page with Google My Business.
You just need to devise the right strategy, and you will have no trouble boosting your SEO with Google My Business (GMB) posts.
Here’s our take on how to leverage Google My Business posts to boost your local SEO ranking.
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First of all, What Are Google My Business Posts?
Google My Business posts are, without a doubt, one of the most powerful ways to increase your company’s online presence.
Your Google My business posts will appear in the search engine when people either search for your business or businesses like yours on Google maps or regular search engine.
Have a look at these Google My Business posts:
However, before making your profile with Google, you need to make sure that your business meets all the guidelines.
Here are some basic guidelines for eligible businesses:
Google My Business not only allows you to display your company’s name, address and phone number, but you can also post images, descriptions of your company, and so forth.
On top of that, your targeted audience can also read your company/store reviews, book an appointment, and so forth — all this without even giving you a call or visiting your actual website.
How amazing is this?
It is easy to discern just how powerful Google My Business can be for your business.
But creating a company page and posting a couple of images is not nearly enough.
You need to optimize it.
Let’s have a look at how you can optimize your Google my Business page and use it to boost your local SEO ranking:
#1. Include CTA Buttons To Connect With Your Customers Directly
CTA buttons are one of the most valuable aspects of digital marketing.
They prompt your audience to take action and help them head in the right direction.
And let’s face it, even the customers expect to see a call to action button on your company page.
Here are the types of CTA buttons that you can create to get more conversions and boost your local SEO ranking:
- Book an appointment
- Order online
- Buy Now
- Sign Up
- Register Here
- Get Offer
- Learn More
Use these CTA buttons to get your message across and prompt your customers to take relevant action.
Be creative with the text you use on your CTA button. If you want them to register for your newsletter, use the “Register Here” or “Sign Up” option.
#2. Your Information Should Be Accurate and Up-to-date
Google My Business has various parts that you need to fill out.
Make sure that you fill out all the details accurately:
- Name of your business
- Address
- Phone number
- Link to your website
- A brief description of your business
- Category
- Attributes
It’s essential to write a keyword-rich description as all these elements will be indexed by Google.
That said, don’t stuff your text with unnecessary keywords. It should be engaging, accurate, and comprehensible.
You also need to make sure that the information matches precisely with everything listed on your website.
#3. Share Engaging & Attractive Images
Visual content always comes in handy if you are looking to win over new customers.
It is even more critical when it comes to scaling up your business using Google My Business.
In 2017, Google opened its post feature to all businesses. This feature allows you to promote your business using images in a variety of ways.
Say, for instance, if you run a clothing store, then you can post about your new clothing line.
Or if you run a restaurant, you can promote your best meals.
Attract your targeted audience using gifs, attractive images, upcoming events, and so forth.
Take this example from the Seattle Mariners.
The brand is making the most of their Google My Business page by posting highlights of their games.
Google My Business Post Images – Recommended Sizes
While posting visual content on your Google My Business page, consider the following points:
- The minimum dimension for your images is 400×300 pixels. The ideal size for your images is 750 x 750. Make sure that the image is centred to make it look good once posted on Google.
- Avoid using text on images as the text might appear cropped on mobile devices.
#4. Encourage Your Customers to Post Reviews
The more traffic you get on your Google My Business profile, the higher your search engine rankings.
And that’s where reviews come into the game.
It’s not hard to comprehend either.
Google reviews equal to more referrals and ultimately, more sales. More sales again resulted in more positive reviews.
It is a perennial cycle. And you have to do your best to keep it moving.
According to statistics by Brightlocal, as high as 68% say that positive reviews make them more likely to use a business.
These are compelling numbers, and you simply can’t afford to ignore them.
But what do you need to do in order to acquire positive reviews for your Google My Business page?
Well, for starters, you need to offer excellent customer service.
If your customers are satisfied with your services, then you just need to ask them, and they are likely to help you out in the review department.
Just share your Google My Business profile link with your customers and ask them to drop a review.
#5. Respond to Negative Reviews
While receiving positive reviews is great for your business, you cannot rule out negative reviews either.
You need to make sure that you respond to all the reviews you receive. But more than that, you need to respond to the negative and neutral ones as well.
Why bother, the customer is unlikely to come back either way.
Are you thinking along the same lines? You are not the only one – many business owners believe that after the customer has left a negative review, they are never going to come back again.
But this is where they go wrong.
You need to check out this statistic:
According to ReviewTrackers’ Online Reviews Survey, 44.6 percent are more likely to visit a business if they get a response to their negative review.
When customers hear back from you, their perception is definitely going to improve for the better.
When you are able to get the customer to revisit you even after a bad review, make sure to go out of your way to serve them, which will ultimately earn you a positive review and more referrals.
If possible, you can even offer extra incentives like a discount coupon, or a freebie to lure back the customer.
Wrap Up
Google My Business is probably the best thing that could have ever happened for all the businesses out there.
While there are many ways to promote your business, including your blog, social media pages, webinars, etc., nothing is as popular and as prevalent as Google.
Use the above tips to scale up your business and get traffic on your Google My Business page. Once you start to get decent traffic on your company profile, your local SEO rank will also see a positive impact.
Don’t forget to add a personal touch to your business page. Add attractive visuals, make your landing page conversational and easily accessible, add the relevant CTA button(s), and optimize it with relevant keywords — all these things are more than enough to boost your Google rankings.