FACT: Google has around 90% of the worldwide organic search engine market share. Of all the Google searches daily, 46% are looking specifically for local business information.
With a statistic like that, it begs the question: Are you optimizing your Google My Business or Local Search efforts to ensure you are in front of the people looking for the products or services you offer?
Google is King and if you aren’t using their tools, you are missing out on a huge amount of exposure and traffic.
Here are the steps you need to take to ensure your Google My Business and local search is putting your business on the Map!
1. Optimize and Ensure Your Listing Data is Accurate
It’s simple - businesses that have the most detailed and accurate information are easier to serve in a search.
Make sure your Google My Business listing accurately covers what your business does, where it is, business hours, and how they can buy, book, or schedule the goods/services your business offers.
Remember though, this isn't something you set and forget. Google rewards those who constantly update their listing, so you should aim to keep your listing accurate.
And, in the age of COVID-19, GMB offers even more flexibility around hours and messaging for potential customers.
PRO TIP: Google offers the ability to customize hours for holidays/other special events, and with COVID-19 there is even more flexibility around messaging. Use these features to your advantage!
2. Include Your Targeted Keywords in the Details
Google uses a ton of different signals to serve search results. When it comes to local intent searches, including important keywords and search phrases on your google listing is paramount. This will help you connect with the right audience, at the right time.
Include your keywords within the business descriptions and each time you create a post to your audience.
Find out how your customers are or aren’t finding your business. Get your FREE Local SEO Audit to see where you show up.
3. Add Engaging & GeoTagged Imagery to Your Listing
Believe it or not, adding photos to your GMB listing on a regular basis actually helps the listings’ performance more than you’d expect.
According to Google, Google My Business listings with photos get 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps, and 35% more hits through to their site than listings without photos.
You can also boost the impact of listing photos by geotagging an image. Geotagging images tells Google where you’re located and gives positive signals to Google that you are authentic in your LOCAL area.
4. Request, Manage & Respond to Your Customer Reviews
Reviews are one of the main factors that impact both local and organic SEO, so it’s crucial that you regularly request, manage and respond to reviews.
Remember: Reviews Earn Clicks and Clicks Earn Visibility in search results!
Review interactions also illustrate to Google that your business values its customers and their feedback.
Google makes the review process easy by providing you a direct link via your GMB listing that you can email, add to a QR code or integrate with other creative marketing pieces your company is using. Just be sure to follow the best practices guideline when requesting reviews.
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