Using quality images and videos on Google My Business is a great way to get more people interested and make your listing more important from Google Map SEO point of view. Images and videos are very important for grabbing people’s attention, earning their trust, and helping them clearly understand what your business is all about.
Quality GMB images and videos can help your profile catch people’s attention in search results, leading to more clicks and engagement. They display your products, services, and the general feel of your business, helping to make a good first impression. Videos provide engaging information and can tell your brand’s story in an interesting manner.
By using good methods to take and upload clear pictures and videos, you can make your GBP more interesting and attractive to viewers. This can give you better search ranking locally and bring in more visitors and sales. This post offers clear tips to help you make your visual content more effective on GMB.
Guidelines for Using GMB Images
Types of Images to Use
Exterior Pictures
Exterior photos are important for helping potential customers see your business from outside. These pictures should clearly show the front of your store, its signs, and any special things that make your business unique.
Make sure to take these photos when the weather is nice and the lighting is good so that they are easy to see. Show different viewpoints to give a complete understanding. These photos are very important for businesses in busy places or larger buildings because they help customers find your exact location.
Good exterior pictures help people have a nice first impression and make it easier for new customers to see you. Keep these photos updated to show any changes, like new signs, seasonal decorations, or repairs. Having a clean and friendly-looking exterior for your business helps people feel welcome and brings more customers in.
Local SEO experts provide valuable insights on optimizing GMB images and videos, helping businesses enhance visibility and drive higher user engagement.
Interior Pictures
Interior photos show potential customers what your business looks like and how it’s set up. These pictures should show different parts, like where people sit, how products are shown, and special building designs. Use nice lighting to make the place feel cozy and welcoming.
Clean and neat areas make your business look good, so keep everything tidy and nice before you take pictures. For example, a restaurant might show off its eating area, bar, and kitchen to help customers understand what it will be like to eat there.
Keep these pictures updated so they show what your space looks like now, especially if you change the decor or how things are arranged. Good interior photos help customers imagine what it will be like and understand what to expect. This can make them happier and more likely to visit.
Product Images
When it comes to GMB profile optimization, product photos are very important for showing the items you sell. These pictures should be clear and taken from different sides so you can see everything well. Point out the key details and special features that make your products different.
A clothing store should show detailed pictures of the fabrics and textures, while a bakery might show delicious-looking pictures of its baked goods. Use a simple background without too many details so people can focus on the product. Good lighting is important to see the real colors and details.
Try using a lightbox or natural light for the best results. Always update your product pictures to show new items and seasonal products. Good product pictures not only draw in customers but also help them decide what to buy, which means fewer returns and happier shoppers.
Team Photos
Team photos make your business feel more personal and help potential customers relate to you. Add group pictures and individual photos of your staff. These pictures should look professional but also friendly, showing the personality and culture of your business. These team photos are one of the GMB Attributes that attract customers.
Team photos can be taken in a formal place or during a fun team activity to show how well everyone gets along. Make sure everyone is wearing suitable clothes and looking good. Adding names and jobs in the photo descriptions can make the experience feel more personal for customers.
Team photos help customers feel more relaxed and at ease, building trust and a sense of connection. Keep these photos up to date whenever there are changes in your team. Showing good pictures of your staff improves how customers feel about your business and helps make your brand stronger. You can always delete/add new photos to enhance your GMB posting strategy.
Action Shots
Action shots show your business in action, highlighting the exciting parts of what you do. These pictures might show workers talking to customers, cooks making food, or technicians working on a task. They give a glimpse into your business, making it feel more relatable and interesting.
Use good-quality tools to take clear and colorful pictures, and make sure there is enough light to show the action. Action shots should look real and unplanned, not stiff or arranged.
These pictures show a fun and real vibe, helping possible customers imagine what their experience will be like.
Frequently add new action photos to keep your profile interesting and up-to-date. Using great action photos can help show off your business in an exciting way that grabs people’s attention and keeps them interested. Always keep an eye on GMB Insights to understand how well you are performing.
Best Practices for Taking Great GMB Pictures
Use Professional Equipment
Buying good photography equipment is important for taking great pictures. Modern smartphones can take pretty good photos, but they usually don’t do as well when it comes to things like sharpness, good lighting, and different types of camera lenses.
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with different lenses gives you better control over how blurry the background is, where the focus is, and how your image is arranged. Also, using a tripod can keep your camera steady, which helps take clearer pictures, especially when it’s dark.
Using professional gear lets you take pictures in RAW format, which keeps a lot of detail and gives you more options for editing later. The quality of your pictures affects your business, so spending money on good equipment at the start can be worthwhile.
Have Good Lighting
Lighting is an important part of photography that can really affect how good your pictures look. Natural light is usually the best choice because it gives a gentle and even light that shows the subject clearly without strong shadows.
When taking photos inside, place your subject close to windows to use the natural light. If there isn’t enough natural light, use lights like softbox lights, ring lights, or LED panels to get a similar look. Try not to use bright overhead lights because they can create unappealing shadows and change the colors of things.
Try using different light angles and strengths to see which one looks best on your subject. Good lighting makes your pictures clear and bright, which helps them look professional. This makes them more interesting and appealing to potential customers.
Pay Attention to Composition
Composition is about how things are placed in a photo. It is important for making pictures look good. The rule of thirds is a basic way to arrange a picture. It splits the image into nine equal sections using two horizontal lines and two vertical lines.
Putting the subject on these lines or where they meet makes the picture look balanced and interesting. Leading lines help direct the viewer’s gaze in a photo and can make the picture look better. Also, think about the things in the background and in front of the main subject, making sure they support it without causing distraction.
Using a blurry background can help focus on the main subject. Careful planning can turn an ordinary photo into an interesting image that attracts people’s attention and highlights your business well.
Be Authentic
Being authentic is important for making a true connection with possible customers through your pictures. Try not to use stock photos or heavily edited pictures, as they can seem fake or make people feel disconnected. Instead, try to take pictures that show the real spirit of your business.
Show your real products, employees, and location so customers know what to expect. Natural, unposed pictures usually connect better with people than pictures that are set up. Show what makes your business special.
This could be a look at how things work behind the scenes or a peek at your team doing their jobs. Authentic photos create trust and make your business more relatable and attractive to potential customers. When you use real pictures, your GMB profile becomes more trustworthy and interesting.
Keep Images Up to Date
Updating your pictures often makes your Google My Business profile look new and relevant. New photos can show updates in your business, like new products, decorations for the season, or recent changes to the store.
Keeping your profile updated tells Google that it’s active, which can help you get better search ranking locally. Also, new pictures keep your audience interested and show them the most recent things your business has.
Ask your team to share interesting experiences or updates and put them on your profile. Think about planning regular photo updates for your marketing. By regularly updating your pictures and videos, you keep your online presence fresh, which helps attract and keep customers’ attention.
Guidelines for Using GMB Videos
Types of Videos to Use
Business Overview Videos
Business overview videos are a great way to show new customers what your business is all about. These videos give a complete overview of your business by showing the exterior and interior, important products or services, and the team.
A good overview video can show what makes your business special and share your brand’s character. Use a good camera and make sure to take clear and nice videos. A clear and interesting voiceover or captions can help viewers understand the video better.
Make the video short, around one to two minutes, to have people’s attention. Including a strong message at the end encourages people to check out your business or learn more about what you have. Updating your overview video regularly to show any changes keeps your profile up-to-date and interesting.
Product Demonstrations
Product demo videos are very good at showing what your products can do and how they can help people. These videos can show how a product works, point out its main features, and explain how it can be used in real life.
A tech company might make a video to show how a new device works, while a beauty brand could demonstrate how to use a specific makeup product. Good production is important. Make sure the video is bright and use close-up shots to show key details.
Using easy-to-follow instructions or text on the screen helps viewers understand the product more clearly. Product demo videos can help answer common questions from customers and solve their worries, which can lead to more people being interested and buying the product.
Customer Testimonials
Customer testimonial videos are great for creating trust and reliability. These videos show happy customers talking about their good experiences with your business, products, or services. Real customer reviews show that your products or services are good and trustworthy, helping to reassure new customers.
Choose a variety of customers who can talk about different parts of your business. Make sure the reviews are real and not written beforehand, showing the true feelings and experiences of your customers. Use clear audio to make the videos look professional and interesting.
Adding customer reviews to your Google My Business profile can greatly improve your reputation and bring in more customers. Keep these videos up to date with new testimonials to make your profile fresh and interesting.
Behind-the-Scenes Videos
Behind-the-scenes videos show potential customers how your business operates. These videos can show your team working, getting ready, or doing everyday tasks. They make your business feel more personal by showing the people and hard work that go into your products or services.
For instance, a restaurant might make a video that shows cooks making food, while a clothing store could show designers creating new outfits. It’s important to make good quality videos. Use a steady camera and nice lighting to get clear and attractive videos.
These videos help you connect better with your audience by showing a real and honest look at your business. They can show how much hard work and care you put into your job, which helps build trust and loyalty. Updating these videos often keeps your profile interesting and up-to-date.
Event Videos
These videos are a great way to show how your business takes part in community activities or special events. These videos can show the best parts of events like workshops, sales, grand openings, or charity events.
Use different camera angles, make sure there’s good lighting, and have clear sound to really show the feel of the event. Talking to people who attended or took part can make it feel more personal and show different viewpoints.
Event coverage videos help advertise the events and show that your business is involved in the community. They can get more people to come to future events and improve your business’s image. This will make your content interesting and show that you are active and involved in the community.
Best Practices for Making Great Videos
Create a Plan
The first step to making great videos is to plan your content. Before you begin filming, spend some time writing down what you want to talk about. Make a simple plan to show the pictures and order of what happens. This helps make sure your video is clear and includes all the main points.
Planning includes figuring out what the video is for, like showing what your business does, explaining a product, or sharing a customer’s opinion. Understanding who your audience is and what you want to say can help you create better content. Also, think about how long your video is.
Try to make it long enough to keep people interested but short enough to share all the important information. A carefully thought-out video is more likely to be interesting, look good, and succeed in reaching its goals. Checking and improving your plan often while you work can help keep your project on schedule and make sure the results are good.
Write Clear Descriptions
Adding descriptions to your Google My Business videos makes them more effective and helps more people find them in searches. When you upload a video, add a simple and clear description that gives helpful information about it.
Use fun and interesting words to describe what the video shows and why it matters. Use important words in a natural way to boost SEO and make it easier for potential customers to discover your content. For example, if your video shows how a product works, you could say, “Watch this video to learn about our new eco-friendly water bottles”.
This helps the people understand what the video is about and makes it easier for Google to find and show the video. Make sure your descriptions are correct and update them often to include any new changes or products.
Take Steady Shots
Getting steady shots is important for making videos look professional. Wobbly video can be hard to watch and make your video look worse. To stop this from happening, use a tripod or stabilizer to keep your camera still. If you need to move the camera, do it slowly and carefully.
Practicing moves like panning and tilting can help create smooth motion. If you don’t have stabilizing equipment, move slowly and carefully to reduce shaking. Also, think about using gimbals for moving shots because they help keep the camera steady while you move.
Keeping your camera still helps make your videos look better and more fun to watch. People are more likely to pay attention to and trust content that looks professional. This can help your business’s reputation and how well you connect with customers.
Optimize for Mobile
Making your videos easy to watch on mobile phones is important because a lot of people use their smartphones to watch videos. Make sure your videos are easy to see and understand on small screens.
Use close-up shots and clear sound to make your content easier to understand. Vertical or square videos work better on phones because they fit the screen nicely. Check the video’s size and quality so it loads quickly and plays smoothly on phones.
Checking your videos on different devices can help find problems and make sure everyone has the same good experience when watching. By making your content easy to use on phones, more people can see it and have a good experience, no matter what device they are using.
Make it Brief and Interesting
Keeping your videos short and interesting is important to keep people watching. People have short attention spans, so try to get your point across quickly and clearly. A video which is a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes is usually best for having people’s attention and sharing important information.
Begin with a catchy opening to grab attention right away and make sure to stay on topic. Use interesting visuals, clear sound, and lively editing to keep viewers interested. Skip extra words and go directly to the main idea.
At the end of the video, include a simple message telling viewers what to do next, like visiting your website, buying something, or following you on social media. By making your videos short and interesting, you can clearly share your message and encourage people to do something.
Final Thoughts
Using good pictures and videos on Google My Business is a great way to get more people interested and improve how your listing appears. Visual content grabs people’s attention, helps them trust you, and shows a complete picture of what your business offers and the environment you have.
To make an attractive GMB profile, follow these simple tips: use good equipment, make sure there’s enough light, pay attention to how your pictures look, and update your visuals often. Also, organizing your content with clear keywords can help boost your local SEO, making it simpler for potential customers to find you.
Eye-catching images and videos, like business summaries, product demonstrations, and customer reviews, can greatly improve user engagement and help attract more visitors and sales. Follow these tips to make your visuals more effective and build a strong online presence for your business.
FAQs
How do I add GMB images and videos to my profile?
To add pictures and videos to your GMB profile, in your Google My Business account, go to the “Photos” tab on your profile page. Click the “+” button to add new pictures or videos. Make sure your content follows Google’s size and format rules.
Group your pictures correctly, like “Interior,” “Exterior,” “Products,” or “Team,” so that users can easily find what they need. Including clear descriptions with important words can help increase how easily people find your content.
How can I make my videos better for watching on phones?
To make your videos good for mobile phones, make sure they are clear and can be easily seen on small screens. Use close-up shots and clear sound to make your content interesting and easy to understand. Think about using vertical or square videos because they work better on phone screens.
Ensure checking the video’s file size and quality so it loads quickly and plays smoothly on mobile phones. Checking your videos on different devices can help you find problems and make sure everyone has a good viewing experience.
How often should I change my visuals on Google Profile?
It’s important to regularly change your photos and videos on GBP to keep your profile up to date and interesting. Try to refresh your visuals at least every three months or whenever there are big changes, like new products, seasonal themes, or renovations.
Frequent updates show Google that your profile is active, which can give you better search ranking locally. New content keeps your audience interested and shows them what your business has to offer right now.
How do I manage content that users create on my GMB profile?
Pictures and videos shared by customers can make your GMB profile more genuine. Check this content often to make sure it truly represents your business and is suitable. Interact with users by leaving comments on their photos or by thanking them for what they share.
If you see any bad or misleading content, use the flagging tool to ask Google to take it down. Getting users to create content and managing it well helps build better relationships with customers and makes your profile more trustworthy.
Why is visual content important on GMB?
Having pictures and videos on GMB is very important for grabbing people’s attention and getting them more interested. They help your listing get noticed when people search. They show off your products, services, and the feel of your business. They help create trust by showing clearly what customers can expect, and they can make your local search results better by encouraging more people to interact with your business. Eye-catching pictures and videos provide helpful information and make a great first impression.
