Google My Business (GMB) is a great way to start ranking higher in local searches because it improves the user experience and shows Google you’re optimizing your online presence. Unfortunately, 56% of local businesses had not claimed their GMB in 2016. So many businesses are missing out on simple and free marketing!
By optimizing your GMB listing, you can show up in local searches and garner more traffic to your website. Plus, you’ll improve your online presence with a strong Google My Business page.
Google’s Local Map Pack
Google’s map pack or three-pack is the first three businesses relevant to a search term. It is super beneficial for your business because it places you front and center for services or products the searcher is seeking. Even better, Google prioritizes local businesses when it believes they can provide what the user is searching for. So, you are really missing out when you haven’t claimed your GMB listing.
When searching “Boston wedding boutiques,” we receive the three different boutiques in the local pack.
Claiming your Google My Business is easy, but it also needs to be optimized. More importantly, you need to avoid it from being suspended. Inaccuracies in your GMB can cause Google to suspend the account until it is disputed. This could include malicious techniques of promoting your business, a different web address than what’s on the GMB, and more.
Google My Business Features
GMB has a lot of features that help consumers learn about local businesses. There are fields for hours of operation, service areas, products, and even posts. You can utilize these fields to inform your current and potential customers. Below, you can read more about how to optimize your Google My Business.
- Hours of Operation: Fill out the times your business is open and closed to help customers make educated decisions on when to visit your location or call. You should also update hours of operation when upcoming holidays arrive, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Labor Day.
- Phone Number: When your business shows up on Google Maps, there will be an option to call your business. Ensure your phone number is on your GMB to convenience the consumer.
- Website: Along with the phone number, a website button will also appear. That is if you have a website linked to your account. It is important your website URL matches every other instance of it on the internet, or you could face inconsistencies.
- Business Description: A business description gives you 750 characters to describe your business to consumers. Let searchers know about your products, services, and what makes you different.
- Images and Videos: Google loves to see original images and videos from your business. Upload images of the inside and outside of your establishment. You can also post images of products and services to help consumers better understand your business.
- Respond to Reviews: You must respond to reviews as soon as possible on your GMB. Google wants businesses to respond to reviews, and it helps consumers build trust in you.
- Questions and Answers: Searchers can also ask questions about your business that you can respond to. Other people from the community can also respond, but it is always best for you to respond to ensure the answer’s accuracy.
- Posts: Google My Business recently added the option to make posts or mini-blogs to your listing. These posts have a few different tagline options, such as events, products, or what’s new—post regularly to gain a better standing with Google and engage with consumers.
As you can see, this Boston wedding boutique has its hours, website, phone number, and products detailed.
These are most of the features in your Google My Business. There are other options you should heavily consider filling out like services, products, and attributes. These features will further assist you in standing out from the rest of the map pack.
Managing Your GMB
If you are having difficulty reinstating your GMB from a suspension or aren’t sure how to claim it, then contact ASAP Marketing Solutions. Our team can assist you in managing your GMB and keeping it from being suspended. We can also help our clients with other aspects of their online presence like social media marketing, search engine optimization, and pay-per-click advertising. Give us a call today for a free consultation, and we can discuss further details.