Do you want to optimize Google my Business, or as it is called today, Google Business Profile, for your local business?
Many people don’t know that optimizing your business profile on Google My Business increases the likelihood that it will show up to a user in your geographic area when they search for products and services like the ones you offer on mobile devices.
Google My Business is a free tool that the Mountain View company provides for small business owners to promote their local business on the Google search engine and Google Maps.
I have already written a guide on how to create a Google Business profile formerly Google My Business that you will probably want to read.
In this article I want to give you some pointers on how to optimize Google My Business for local businesses.
At the following link is the official Google My Business website.
At this link the Wikipedia page on the subject.
To begin with, Google My Business is an excellent marketing opportunity for your business, particularly if it is a business that operates predominantly, in a particular territory.
If you have claimed your business page on Google My Business and think the job is done, unfortunately you are wrong.
Now is the time to optimize your page to capture when consumers need products and services similar to yours.
Consumer needs are essentially about ‘knowing’, ‘going’, ‘doing’ or ‘buying’.
When the consumer is in one of these moments to fulfill his need, he acts with a search on a mobile device related to his geographical location.
For this reason, it is critical that your business shows up consistently and professionally on each device.
To capture a share of these searches, it is advisable to optimize your business page on Google My Business.
Through this application you can post opening hours, updates about your business, photos and videos that help consumers get to know you and trust your brand.
From a search engine perspective, an optimized Google My Business profile confirms to the search engine that your business is a relevant result for that consumer.
This greatly increases your brand’s visibility in Google.
Optimize Google My Business in five easy steps
For local searches, Google favors businesses with complete and accurate Google Business Profile information formerly Google My Business.
This is because it is important for potential customers to be informed not only about your products and services, but also about where your business is physically located and when they can visit or call you.
Complete Google Business Profile ex Google My Business.
When a user performs a local search to meet one of their needs, Google matches that need with the most relevant results.
Think of the following scenario: your product or service is ideal for a particular consumer’s search but your profile is incomplete because, for example, it lacks a phone contact.
How will she be able to contact you quickly if she so desires?
Not filling out the profile accurately, not filling it out completely makes the search engine assume that your business is not relevant.
The value of a Google My Business profile lies in the quality of the information it contains.
Don’t lose potential customers just because your profile is not complete.
Accurately fill out your business description
Your business description allows you to provide informative, and very often multimedia, content directly to Google.
You are releasing information about your products and services directly to the search engine.
You have about 750 characters to describe your business; try to use all of them if possible.
What to include in your business description?
For example, a brief description of your most important products and services.
If you need inspiration I can show you my business description on my Google My Business page:
Keep your hours up to date
There is nothing worse than a customer showing up at the doorstep of your business to find the store closed.
If your profile says you are open but you are not, you lose credibility in the eyes of the customer and are out of the game, at least for him.
Remember that when the moment of ‘need’ is triggered in the customer, the need for a solution grows immediately.
If he decides to reach out to you, visit and buy, you cannot disappoint him.
Schedules on Google My Business can be easily changed, and you can do so in advance of holidays and your scheduled closing days, such as summer or winter vacations.
Choose the right categories for your business
When you set up Google My Business you can select the main category for your business.
Beyond that you can select up to a maximum of ten categories.
Remember that Google’s intent is to categorize your business to show it in a way that is relevant to users, so it is not necessary to use all ten categories.
Use only those that help the search engine best identify your business.
For example, a pizzeria may choose the categories “pizzeria,” “pizza delivery,” and “catering.”
This classification helps Google show your business for local searches such as “pizza near me” or “pizza delivery near me.”
Check your geographic location
Google My Business is a valuable ally for local businesses.
Local search engine optimization, called Local SEO, applies only if the business’ activity is local.
For this reason, Google requires you to verify the address and ownership of the business through a verification process that you can activate through Google My Business.
After your request in which you have to provide the mailing address of your business you will receive a postcard to the address provided so that the process can be completed.
You cannot use a post office box for this step.
If you do not verify the location of your business, you will not be able to take advantage of all the features of Google My Business.
Conclusions
Google My Business is a great tool to help you introduce your business to potential customers who need products and services like yours.
Like most things, it is a tool that only gives you an edge based on the effort you put into it.
So be sure to optimize your profile by following the steps above.
If you have any doubts I will be happy to answer them in the comments.
If you need advice in building and optimizing your Google My Business profile, please contact me.
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