Google has developed a free feature named Google Business Profile to assist business owners in hassle-free management of their online presence across search engines.
Any professional SEO marketing company uses the strategy of GMB optimization for success in search results.
What’s more? Google My Business optimization is the initiation of local search success. You not only get local exposure with this, but it helps spread brand awareness. In addition to new businesses, established businesses should also maintain their Google My Business profile for wider reach.
Before getting to know the answer to “how to completely optimize your Google My Business listing,” let’s find out the reason to do the same.
Why is it important to list your business on Google My Business?
Smartphones are the source of more than half of the internet traffic. Thus, you must take steps to ensure your business shows up consistently on such devices.
For Google My Business optimization, you can use free tools like Google Business Profile to promote your business on search engines. It allows you to publish and update your business hours and photos to help consumers trust your brand. Hence, growing businesses online has been accelerated with techniques like SEO.
Author’s Take
I started my wholesale business in 2015. At that time, I didn’t know about the power of SEO and highlighting your business on the internet. I was just putting all my focus on generating sales physically. But when I noticed my competitors were doing something that was giving them an edge over me, I was confused. Then, I came to know about SEO and GMB optimization. Doing it all by myself was giving me headaches when I learned that you could even contact an SEO agency and tell them your online goals. I am happy and satisfied that I stumbled upon SEO Propellant as my SEO company, which has helped me expand the reach of my business and earn the number of leads I want.
How do you list your business on Google My Business listing?
As per the Google Search Engine, businesses that provide complete and accurate information can be matched easily with the right searches. Having said that, it is significant for the customers to have full information on what your business deals with, where it is located, and when your customers can visit you. Provide the contact details, like the contact number, description, and your physical address.
- Populate your profile
Include everything in your business profile that a potential customer might want to look for. Because search engines are used to connect the customers with the most relevant results, like a matchmaker. Thus, populate your profile to attract potential suitors.
- Business description
The business description is like a pearl of great price for your Google business profile. Why is this so? It allows you to contribute rich and relevant content directly to Google. You can write a business description for a maximum of up to 750 characters, including numbers, punctuations, letters, and spaces. Write it in the best way to make it look as fuller as possible.
- Update your opening hours
GMB optimization also involves listing the business hours so that people know about when you are operating. If your profile shows that you are open, but in reality, you are not, you are giving invitations to several issues. You are raising the bar of expectations of your consumers that they can make a purchase or contact you. If you are unavailable in that micro-moment when they need you the most, sadly, you have lost a good lead. You can update the business hours at any time of the day and even add holiday hours for complete information.
- Business categories
Optimizing your Google My Business profile requires you to choose your primary business category. You may be surprised to know that there are approximately 4000 business categories, and you can enlist yourself in a maximum ten of them. Choose the categories that define your business in the best manner. You don’t have to use all the ten categories. Putting your business in 2-3 categories is enough.
- Applicable attributes
It is advisable not to load the keywords in the business name or description. Rather, use attributes. See what searchable qualities you can use as attributes in your profile. It becomes easy to illustrate your business by selecting all the applicable attributes. Examples of some universal attributes are “membership required,” “game room,” and ‘kid-friendly,” to name a few. Keep checking the attributes every quarter because Google may find new ones with the latest SEO Trends.
- Location verification
Verify the ownership of your business through the verification process of your Google business profile. If you are operating the business from your home, you don’t have to fear when it comes to updating your address. It gives you the option to hide it so that people don’t take the undue advantage of requesting directions to your home. Getting in touch with a local SEO service can help you with this aspect and optimize your Google My Business listing.
Note: Not verifying your business location won’t enable you to leverage the power of Google’s business profile features.
Conclusion
The more effort you make in optimizing your Google Business profile, the more helpful it will be in showing your business to your prospects and customers when they need you the most.
If you are facing any challenges with profile optimization and SEO for your online business, fear not. Our team of SEO Propellant is here to take you out of all the worries and let you experience SEO Excellence. We are an SEO Marketing agency that will help craft robust digital strategies for your digital success. Now, you can handle your daily work tasks with focus and rely on us for all your SEO needs. Contact us at +1 647-867-1653 for more information.