How to Optimize Google My Business

Internet Marketing Media Services has one main goal. It’s to optimize the web presence of our clients. And Google My Business is a great tool for doing so. Our team of experts can take your Google My Business listing to the next level. So, are you ready to optimize Google My Business?

This article serves as a brief guide to help you do so today. The IMMS team’s dedicated to optimizing all factors of GMB. We will help ensure your brand learns to use winning digital marketing strategies.

One of the keys to great digital marketing involves using location-based SEO strategies. And that is why an optimized Google My Business listing can take your organization to the next level. If you’ve been wondering, ‘how to get my business in the Google search engine,’ you’re in the right place.

What is Google My Business Optimization?

GMB (Google My Business) is Google’s free tool to assist the owners of companies and brands. It allows them to ensure their online presence is optimal for Google’s search engine. If you want local exposure, there are few resources better than GMB. For example, do you want your business to get featured in Google’s Local Search results? (These are local business listings that thousands of people view each day.) If so, GMB is essential to get traffic hosting that leads to sales. 

Say your company creates a GMB listing. Google creates a Google Maps location and correlates it to Google Search results. This makes it easy for people to determine, in seconds, the location of your business. What’s one key benefit of this process? Most organic searches originate on Google. In fact, Google has about a 90% share in the global search engine market. That’s reason enough for your team to optimize GMB. 

There are plenty of third-party platforms that generate information from GMB. They also take information from the Google Maps API. The best part of all this? GMB is free to use. Many clients often ask IMMS the following question. “Does a listing with GMB prevent our website from showing up in results?” The answer is “no.” Your website will still appear in all Google search engine results.

How Do I Optimize My Business for Google in 2021?

Optimizing your Google My Business profile for 2021 isn’t rocket science. But it does mean you must take some key actions. The last thing you want is for Google to cancel your GMB listing. That’s why the following information matters so much. It will help your business thrive. Let’s go over six of the most important steps for GMB optimizing. 

The first step is to complete your GMB business profile information. Do not leave anything blank. Next, make sure that your team posts relevant content. They should do so on a consistent basis. Make sure that they post the content on the Your Google Posts section. The next step is to choose the right category for your Google My Business listing.

The category must have relevance and stick to the specifics of your company. Your team can then upload high resolution photos. Having a lot of GMB photos will convey to customers that your business is popular. Make sure that you put a local contact number on your GMB profile. The final step is to check on the Q&A section of your Google My Business profile. Stay on top of the GMB questions and submit an answer for each one. Taking these actions will help you take care of optimizing.

Is Google My Business Good for SEO?

Yes, your SEO can improve thanks to Google My Business. But there are many steps when it comes to applying a local SEO strategy. The first step is to claim your Google My Business Listing. Next, you’ll need to verify the director or manager of the GMB listing. Using Google My Business for SEO can provide the following four benefits.

1.  GMB will increase your odds of showing up across the Local Pack of Google.
2.  GMB’s SEO will also help your business show up on Local Finder. But don’t let Google cancel the information if it’s not accurate.
3.  GMB SEO can make any business stand out on Google Maps.
4.  The SEO of GMB can boost any standard organic search rankings.

How Do I Optimize My Google Maps Listing?

The optimization of your professional Google My Business account is important. Doing so can help improve your ranking on Google Maps. And it’s all thanks to IMMS’ patented optimization pro tips. Consider putting the following six GMB pro tips in place. (Our firm has plenty of pro tips if you need more information.)

Applying each one should help optimize your Google Maps listing.

1.  Stay consistent when it comes to your business name and address.
2.  Put a local phone number on your Google My Business profile. Double-check that the number is local. Google could flag your page if the number isn’t local.
3.  Submit both your main number and tracked number for media web hosting.
4.  Update your business hours on Google My Business. Say that your business decides to cancel certain services. That means your GMB page needs to get updated.
5.  Submit a great (and short) business description on your Google My Business listing.
6.  Submit your business in the right category on GMB. When you follow these pro tips, you’ll not only have more GMB knowledge. You’ll also reach more consumers.

Is Google My Business Free?

Yes, Google My Business is free. Plus, it is a tool that’s easy to use for all types of businesses. Google My Business helps companies optimize their online presence through Google’s platforms. The platforms include Google Maps and Google Search. The key is to verify your business and edit the GMB information. Doing so will assist customers in finding your business across all Google platforms.

The First Step for Setting Up a Google My Business Profile or Listing

Step number one to set up a Google My Business listing is easy. All you need to do is search for your company on Google. Why? To make sure your business isn’t already featured on GMB. It won’t get featured if you are a new company. But if you’ve been around a few years, Google may have already created a listing for you. Don’t panic if this is the case. You need to claim the listing.

This is easy to do. Next, you can manage and update the content. Make sure that key factors like the address and contact information are up-to-date. This is often a three-step process. Let’s go over the step-by-step information.

1. 1. Fill out all relevant information so everything is up-to-date.
2. 2. Place your business in the most relevant category.
3. 3. Specify whether your company delivers products or services to people’s homes/businesses. This is important if your business does home services like painting or construction.

How to Verify the Listing of Your Google My Business Profile

Now that you’ve applied your company’s basic information, it’s time to get the listing verified. Otherwise, the inputted information will not get seen by potential customers. Google is always on the look-out for false listings. That’s why you may want to do the verification process by mail. This will prove to Google that your physical address is correct. So, make sure that your team is ready to submit accurate information.

Google will not display your GMB listing until the verification process is complete. This means your team won’t have access to  business reviews, analytics, and insights. Do not expect the verification process to get done in one day. The average duration is around five business days or so. Once approved, Google will mail your company a postcard. The postcard Google submits will contain a verification code. Once the code gets entered—your GMB will be live. 

The 4 Step Process to Publish & Optimize Your Google My Business Local Listing

Here are the actions your team should take to ensure that the GMB listing gets optimized. Submit following four tips in place on Google Business to get results. Doing so will help your marketing and branding efforts. Plus, you’ll get well on your way toward getting your GMB listing optimized.

Step #1: Ensure That Your GMB Listing/Profile Has Relevant Information

Local searches on Google Business are all about relevant information. The more you have, the more likely Google will give your company a high SEO ranking. That’s why your team can’t assume people already know ANYTHING about your business. Have your staff communicate every detail about what your company does. The more data you submit, the better your chance of getting great SEO. 

Step #2: Use Keywords to Improve Ranking & Get Optimized

The SEO process of GMB listings is similar for all normal websites. Google looks for relevant keywords and search phrases when doing GMB ranking. This means both your website and listing should get optimized with tons of keywords. So, what’s a great trick to do on Google Business?

Examine the keywords that your high-ranking competitors are using. Then you submit those keywords to your own listing and website. 

Step #3: Post Your Company’s Local Business Hours

It’s not good enough to have your company’s official hours displayed on Google Business. The key factor many businesses overlook?

Keeping the hours updated whenever a change takes place. For example, if your holiday hours differ, add the changes to your listing ASAP. You are less likely to stay optimized if the business hours are inaccurate. Posting business hours from years ago will prevent you from optimizing your GMB.

Step #4: Improve & Optimize Your Ranking Through Customer Reviews

Don’t feel satisfied when your listing is getting reviews on a consistent basis. That’s good. But it’s not good enough if you strive to have the best SEO optimization. Your team should interact with each review. It doesn’t matter whether the review is positive or negative.

Google Business rewards companies that respond to customers. Also, do all you can to encourage your customers to leave positive reviews. More positive feedback equals greater optimization. It doesn’t matter if the feedback is current to from years ago. You can even have your team create a link where customers can share reviews in an easy-to-use format. 

Your Google Business Profile Photos Will Attract New Customers

Many business owners don’t realize the importance of featuring photos on Google Business. It’s easy to assume that having one image is enough. But it’s not—if you are seeking great optimization. In fact, a recent study found important information.

Companies with GMB photos received 35% more click-throughs. Also- companies with GMB photos received 42% more driving direction requests. What was the source of the study? Google. And what was the message? Load your GMB listings with as many pictures as you can.

Below are some steps to do so.

Step #1: Make Sure Your GMB Listing Has a Profile Photo Customers Can See

Yes, this is an obvious Google Business tip. But many businesses fail to feature one. Or, they assume that the profile photo has to be the company logo. This is a misconception. The profile photo can be something unique that represents the brand’s message. This will make the photo appear more interesting to potential customers.

Step #2: Make a Logo Image for Your Google My Business Profile

This is where your company’s logo comes into play on Google Business. This is so people can recognize your brand in a simple, square-shaped image. Here’s an example. Years ago, our firm used to work with a client. The client’s company got listed under the business name of Scary Sherry Ice Cream. (The business owner’s name was Sherry.) She came to IMMS and said that her company was about to go under. She had tried getting help from HostGator but they let her down. We analyzed Sherry’s business and realized that it didn’t even have a logo. Our graphic designers created a captivating logo for Scary Sherry’s Ice Cream. We added the logo to the company’s Google Business profile. 

Weeks later, Sherry began to notice that sales were picking up. We checked out her updated GMB listing. Sure enough, customers loved the new logo. Seeing a logo on the GMB profile made so many people want to visit the company. Fast-forward a few years. Sherry sold her company to Blue Bell Ice Cream for tens of millions of dollars. And she attributes her success to IMMS. Why?

Because it all started by featuring a logo on Google Business years ago. The story of Sherry is an example of how important using a logo on GMB is. Remember- Google values images almost as much as brand content.

Step #3: Use a Cover Photo on Your GMB Listing

It’s time to show off your brand’s personality through Google Business. And Google My Business is a great place to do so. What is a GMB cover photo? It is the large picture that sits on top of the GMB listing. Make sure your team knows how to crop the picture into a 16:9 aspect ratio. 

Step #4: Add More Photos to Each Google My Business Post

Again, the more pictures the better. Put yourself in your potential customers’ shoes. What would you want to see that would drive you to your company’s website? Whatever your answer is, jam-pack your photos section with cool, relevant content.

Updating Your Google My Business Profile Information During COVID-19

It’s very important to update your Google My Business account whenever a change takes place. And the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the operations of tons of businesses. The global crisis continues to affect the working hours and roles of so many employees. That’s why updating your Google Business profile is so important.

Say that your company’s hours are now different. Or, say that there are new mandates, safety guidelines, or restrictions. No matter the case, you’ve got to let your audience know about the changes. And you can do so by reconfiguring your GMB profile. Doing so will ensure that your customers have accurate information. Google Business has added some new features.

The new GMB features make it easier to communicate to customers. For example, you can mark a store as temporarily closed. You can even update your account with new health and safety attributes. And if your business delivers, there are new delivery options that you can provide.

Observe the Insights Information on Your Google My Business Listing

GMB analytics used to be difficult to track. Not anymore. Google now offers an “Insights” section. This is great for observing data that you can use to your advantage when it comes to optimization. Your team can track how people interact with them in your listing. You can see the following six GMB factors.

1.  How each person discovered the GMB listing.
2.  Where each person found your brand using Google.
3.  Phone calls through Google Business.
4.  Who is viewing specific photos on Google My Business.
5.  Actions are taken by each customer through GMB. 6. Who is seeking direction requests to get to your company.

Contact Us About Getting New Customers Through Google Business & Improving Your SEO Ranking

It’s clear that search engine optimization for Google My Business can take your brand to new heights. Please contact IMMS today if you would like to learn more. We’re ready to improve your Google My Business Listing. You can get right to the point and say, “please optimize my business today!”

Our team of experts know the ins and outs of GMB optimization like the backs of their hands. Google Business platforms are important for optimizing any company’s content. And our experts have more Google Business insights than our competitors.

Also, IMMS offers plenty of Google My Business Optimization training courses. You can find out more about them during a free consultation. We will help you come up with a Google My Business strategy that will get results fast. Those results can lead to increased profit margins and ROI. Our mission is simple. We strive to turn state-of-the-art SEO tricks into money in your pocket.