If you haven’t read part 1 – Kick-starting Your Google My Business Listing: A How-To Guide, please read that first. These instructions are for the Google My Business Checklist (Free Download).
Getting your business listed on Google is just the beginning of your digital marketing journey. The next crucial step is managing your business information effectively on your Google My Business (GMB) profile to enhance your visibility and boost your local SEO.
This article will walk you through the key steps you need to take to optimise your GMB listing.
Step 1: Provide Comprehensive Business Information
The more information you provide, the easier it is for Google and potential customers to understand your business.
Key details you should provide include your business name, physical address, contact number, operating hours, website URL, and a compelling business description.
Remember, the aim is to make it as easy as possible for users to understand what your business does and how they can engage with you.
Step 2: Regularly Update Your Profile
Google, and more importantly, your customers appreciate updated and relevant information.
You should therefore regularly update your profile with new photos and videos, respond promptly and politely to customer reviews, and use Google Posts to highlight important updates, offers, or specific products.
Step 3: Choose the Right Business Category
The business category you choose plays a significant role in determining your visibility for specific searches.
Select a category that accurately represents your business to help Google understand what you offer and match you with relevant local search queries.
Step 4: Showcase Your Products or Services
To help customers understand what you offer, you should add relevant products or services to your profile.
This can be especially useful for businesses in industries like retail, food service, and professional services.
Step 5: Maintain NAP Consistency
Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information must be accurate and consistent across all online directories, not just on Google.
Consistency helps improve your local search ranking and boosts customer trust in your business.
Step 6: Regularly Check Your GMB Dashboard
Finally, make sure you log into your GMB dashboard regularly to ensure your information is always up-to-date and accurate.
This can also help you respond timely to customer interactions and keep a pulse on any changes or updates from Google.
Step 7: Link Your GMB to Google Ads or Google Merchant Centre
For businesses using Google Ads or Google Merchant Centre, linking these accounts to your GMB profile can significantly improve your visibility on Google.
By connecting these accounts, your ads will be more relevant and can feature your business location, which can lead to increased foot traffic.
By following these steps, you can optimise your GMB listing to improve your chances of appearing in Google’s local search results and boost your local SEO.
Remember, your Google My Business profile is one of your most powerful tools for local online marketing, so it’s worth investing time to manage it properly.
Happy optimising!