Google My Business is a free and simple tool that helps businesses keep track of how they show up on Google Search and Maps. When you type "best pizza near me" into a search engine GMB listings come up with helpful details like business hours addresses reviews and more. People who might buy from you see these small pieces of information first. But let's be honest it's like not being on GMB if your business doesn't have a sign at the door.
To help you understand here is an example Picture a busy city with an old record store in it. A newcomer who is interested in "vintage record stores" but doesn't have GMB might never find this hidden gem. But with a well optimized GMB the store won't just show up in searches they'll also show off what makes them special like a Saturday vinyl exchange or a curated collection of '70s rock.
GMB is beautiful because it is simple but very strong. You can choose what information potential customers can see with it. And because it's a Google product it works perfectly with their algorithms. This link is very important because Google is more likely to show local listings that have GMB information that is well optimized. Customers are twice as likely to trust businesses that have all the right information according to Google. Source.
It's all about being seen. Think of your company as a lighthouse. The more brightly it shines the more ships it keeps safe. That's how an optimized GMB listing helps people find you on search engines. It makes you different from everyone else.
When you use GMB the right way your business will show up in the "Local Pack " which is the top three local listings that come up when someone searches for something like "best Italian restaurant in Manhattan." This is a great spot to be on the results page. According to a Moz study GMB signals are responsible for about 25% of the factors that determine whether a business will show up in local pack results.
Want people to find your business when they search for it nearby? Use good pictures to tell a story with pictures and show potential customers what they can expect. Complete all of the information in your profile and double check that your hours of operation and contact information are correct. You want everything to be perfect when your guests (customers) arrive just like when you set the table for a special dinner.
Think about this You're in a new city and hungry so you're looking for a place to eat. There are two restaurants next to each other. One is busy but the other isn't. You will naturally be drawn to the one with more people because it shows that it is popular and trustworthy. Reviews are like a busy restaurant they can help you get more customers.
In today's world Google My Business reviews are like word of mouth and they are very important for your SEO. According to a BrightLocal survey 87% of people read reviews of local businesses online and 73% of people trust a business more if it has good reviews. It shows that reviews can make a big difference between you and your competitor.
Ask happy customers to write about their experiences on your GMB page to get the most out of reviews. Responding honestly and quickly to both good and bad reviews shows that you care about what your customers have to say and are willing to change. It's about being honest and open and making connections with other people. People trust and believe in a business more when they see it talking to its customers.
How well do you really know the people you're talking to? What do your customers want and where do they come from? With Google My Business Insights you can get a behind the scenes look at how your business is doing and how it looks online. When you use Insights you're not just guessing you're making choices based on facts.
GMB Insights tells you important things like how customers find your listing. For example do they type in your name directly or use more general terms like "shoe repair" or "clothing stores"? It also tells you if they found your business by searching for it directly or by looking through a category or a related service.
This information is very helpful. If "vegan bakery near me" is the most popular search term for you You should put your vegan options front and center on your profile with pictures that are bright and tasty that will make people want to buy them. If data shows that a lot of people are using mobile devices to access your website it's very important to make sure it works well on those devices.
Google Posts are like small ads or status updates that show up on your GMB listing. You can use them to show off products share deals or let people know about events because they are short interesting and flexible. You're getting people to interact with your posts right from the search results which is a great place for them to already be paying attention.
You can think of them as your business's own news feed. Update your posts often to let people know about new products special deals or other exciting news. A gym in the area could use a GMB post to tell people about a new yoga class. This would get the attention of people who are interested in fitness and want to try something new.
And let's not forget about updates that come on time. Say you own a restaurant that changes its menu every season. Keeping your GMB profile up to date lets customers know what's going on which builds trust and makes them want to come back. An updated profile also shows that your business is busy and doing well which makes Google think more highly of you.
But don't use this function too much. Posts should be useful and timely. Regular updates keep your audience interested without giving them too much information. And don't forget to add a clear call to action that makes sense for the post. This could be a simple nudge to call visit or buy.
Google My Business is not just an online directory. It's a powerful marketing tool that helps your business in the real world. Getting more people to see your posts getting them to leave reviews and learning how to use useful analytics are all important parts of improving your local SEO strategy. So just give it a second. Are you getting the most out of GMB for your business? It's a good time to really get into local SEO improve it keep it up and see it grow. Visibility and engagement are everything in the world of online business. This is the only way to connect with your community through GMB.
If you want to know more check out Google's official Business Help Center or Moz's Guide to Local SEO.
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