Consider your Google My Business listing as your first impression online. Everything from the images you use, to the ratings you have as huge indicators of whether or not you can be trusted. One of the best ways to get online visibility is to claim your business on Google My Business and optimise it.
This ensures your prospective customers can find you easily and receive the most accurate information. Here are some tips on how to optimise your Google My Business Listing:
1. Create And Verify Your Google My Business Listing
The first step is to create a listing in My Business. There are two ways to go about this; you can claim an existing listing or create a new one before going through the verification process. Here’s what you can do:
· Log onto your Google account associated with your business.
· Get to Google My Business and Click the Get on Google Button.
· Search your business name or address.
· If you find your business name at the same address where it is located, claim that business.
· If you don’t find a listing, claim that address and add your business name.
· There are many verification options available, including mail, email, phone, Google Search Console, and instant verification.
Once the business is verified, it will show up on Google Maps as a claimed business. It is difficult to change the information after it is set so make sure it is accurate.
2. Ensure Your NAP (Name, Address And Phone Number) Is Consistent Across All Platforms
Google doesn’t just rely on the users for information, it also relies on sources available online. So if there’s a conflict in details like phone numbers, addresses, names, etc., on other platforms, the data on your Google listing might become corrupted. For example, if several business list websites and social media profiles have one phone number and your Google listing might have another, Google will correct the listing’s data.
That’s why it is important to ensure your NAP information is accurate on all platforms. Conduct a thorough search and look at where your company name with NAP information. Make sure all of the information mentioned is accurate and consistent.
3. Choose A Precise Category And Location
The category of your business will inform search users of what kind of business you own. It is important to make sure you choose the right category and be as accurate as possible. For example, if you’re primarily a café, choose café as your category. If you’re primarily a restaurant, opt for restaurant as your category.
Choose a general category if you can’t decide on a specific category or if the list doesn’t have anything specific. For example, if there’s no category that describes your store, choose a retail store to list the business.
4. Add As Much Information As Possible – And Keep It Up To Date
Google offers you a lot of prime real estate to provide as much information as possible. You can list things like business times, open days, description, etc. More information will add legitimacy to your business and ensure you stand apart from the crowd.
It is also important to make sure all of the information provided is always current and reliable. If you change the location of your business or get a new phone number, make sure the information is mentioned in your GMB listing is accurate as well.
5. Add Quality Images (And A Virtual Tour)
Images always make a listing more appealing and can encourage people to click on your website link. Adding good-quality images to your listing can help draw more people and establish your brand.
Make sure these images showcase your business premises and products in the best light possible. Adding a virtual tour of the business can also help gain audience trust because it will provide a glimpse of what your business looks like.
6. Keep Your GMB Listing Active With Google Posts
Active listings can help your listings become more prominent in search. This doesn’t require a lot of effort and doesn’t really have a big impact on SEO, but activity can show Google that the information is current.
This can help improve your reputation with the search giant and show that you are reliable. Posts are also a great way to provide more information to prospective customers, which is always a great advantage.
7. Push Past Clients To Give Google Reviews
One of the first things prospective clients notice when they search a particular business online is its ratings. They look at how many stars the business has and take the time to read as many reviews as they can.
That’s why it is important to push clients to provide as many reviews as possible. Provide easy access to reviews by adding review buttons, providing links, and then remind them to share their experience with others.
8. Respond To Google Reviews
Every business gets some negative or less-than-stellar ratings. No business has a clear-cut and unblemished reputation. The best way to address this situation is to respond to all negative and positive feedback promptly. If the review is negative, make the effort to resolve it as quickly and efficiently as you can. This shows you value customer experience and will do everything in your power to ensure they’re satisfied.
9. Add GMB Attributes
Attributes show what the business has to offer outside of what is mentioned in the description. These attributes come with eye-catching pictures, which gives customers an idea of what to expect. GMB attributes include tags like ‘Woman Led.’ ‘Outdoor Seating.’ ‘Wi-Fi,’ etc.
Setting attributes is easy. You just need to log onto your account, click on the location of your business, click on Info on the Menu, find Attributes and click Edit. You can choose attributes applicable to your business from the provided options and then click Apply.
These tips should help you get the most out of your Google My Business listing. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the listing to ensure it is accurate and track the reviews. If you manage this listing well, it can help you establish your brand well.
