Local SEO is really important for small businesses in the area. Most business owners don’t really get Local SEO and how Google Business Profile (earlier called Google My Business) works. The truth is, business owners need to adapt to stay competent, and that means spending time and money to learn how to use new tools that will help their business grow.
Local SEO is very helpful for businesses and Google relies on information about these businesses from Google Business Profile. Since Google is the top search engine and Google Business Profile is owned by Google, having a verified profile attracts many visitors.
For small businesses, using local SEO is the cheapest and most effective way to get more visitors, phone calls, sales, and other results. In this post, you will find out how to increase Google Business Profile traffic.
Why Should You Create a Google Business Profile?
Better Online Visibility
Being easier to find online is one of the main benefits of having a Google Business Profile. When you add your business to this site, it will show up in local search results and on Google Maps when people look for similar products or services.
This greater exposure means more people will notice your business name, which can lead to more visitors to your website and store. A good profile with clear information and nice pictures can attract more people and help you get noticed.
This means your business can reach more people and get more local customers who might not notice you otherwise. This can help more people recognize your brand and boost your sales.
Local SEO services are crucial for increasing Google Business Profile traffic by optimizing your visibility in local searches and attracting more nearby customers.
Enhanced Local SEO
Better local SEO is a big advantage of having a Google Business Profile. By having a clear and accurate profile, you improve how your business appears to users in search results, especially for local searches.
Google favors businesses that have all their information, like address, phone number, and operating hours, complete and current. This helps Google connect your business with nearby searches that are important.
Also, customer reviews and ratings on your profile help make it more noticeable and trustworthy. Frequent updates and interactions on your profile show Google that your business is active and important, helping to improve your local search ranking.
This improvement helps customers find your business more easily, bringing in the right visitors and increasing your chances of getting local customers.
Increased Customer Engagement
Getting customers interested is an important benefit of Google My Business (Google Business Profile). On this platform, you can talk directly with customers by replying to reviews, answering their questions, and helping with their concerns.
Responding to all types of reviews shows that you care about what your customers think and want to make your service better. The Q&A section lets you answer questions from potential customers quickly. This improves their experience and helps build trust.
Google Posts can be used to share news, special offers, and events to keep your audience updated and interested. Talking regularly with your customers builds a good relationship, encourages them to come back, and can attract new customers who are looking into your business.
Business Information Control
Managing your business details is an important advantage of Google Business Profile. This platform lets you change important information like your business address, hours of operation, contact number, and website link.
Making sure this information is correct and up-to-date helps avoid confusion and anger for customers who want to reach out to you or come visit. It also stops possible money loss from wrong information. By frequently updating your profile, you show that you are professional and trustworthy online.
This control helps you manage how your business looks on Google Maps and search results. It lets you show a reliable and clear picture of your business to potential customers, which is important for getting and keeping local customers.
Free Advertising
A big advantage of having a GMB profile is that it lets you advertise for free. By adding your business, you will appear on Google search results and Maps for free. This visibility serves as a way of natural advertising, helping you connect with possible customers without spending money on ads.
Your profile has important details like your business name, address, phone number, and website. This information can help more people find your store, whether it’s in person or online.
Also, tools like Google Posts let you share news, special offers, and events for free, which helps your marketing. This affordable way to be seen helps bring in new customers and makes more people aware of the brand without extra spending.
Also Read: The Ultimate Hyperlocal SEO Guide for Local Businesses
6 Easy Steps to Increase Google Business Profile Traffic
Create a Google My Business Profile for Your Business
- Make sure there isn’t another business with the same name or a page made by someone else.
- There may already be a Google Business Profile made for your business with reviews that you can take control of.
- Make a new profile if you don’t have one already.
- Upload your newest logo in a PNG file format.
- PNGs are clear and detailed pictures.
- Upload a cover photo for your Google Business Profile.
- This is like a backdrop for your logo or profile picture. It can have a logo, but you need to ensure the text doesn’t get cut off. You can use Canva templates, try out different designs, and change the picture if you want to.
- Update and complete all relevant information sections.
- Make sure to include your latest name, address, and phone number exactly like they appear on your website. This shows Google that your site is reliable because you give correct information.
- Make sure the information is correct. If you share incorrect information or use a confusing business name, it could lead to a suspension.
- Google’s AI and bots are now very good at finding rule violations.
- Verify your location(s) by sending a postcard to the address.
- After you enter your business’s official address (if it’s not an online or delivery service), make sure to verify your location. To ensure your business shows up in local search results for your area, confirm your identity and address by phone or regular mail.
- You need to give the correct address and use it the same way on your website and Google My Business.
- Create a profile for each location.
Update Your GMB Profile Every Week
- Read and follow all the GMB rules.
- Upload 3 to 5 photos each week.
- Get 1 to 3 reviews each week and respond to them.
- Post 2 to 3 times a week.
- Add services or products.
- Find and make a list of all the products and services you offer.
- Look at what your competitors offer to make sure you don’t overlook anything.
- Help people find and buy your services and products on Google with a link.
- Add those same services on your website.
Keep Your Information Up to Date and Add Pictures Regularly
- Make sure all your information is current and check your profile often.
- Include lots of pictures.
- Profiles with more pictures get seen more and rank higher overall. Especially if those pictures are unique and not generic. Google now considers this when deciding search rankings.
- Use your own photos on your website, Google Business Profile, and social media.
- Using original photos has been shown to help improve your ranking. So, use as many real photos as possible to get more visitors through GMB for local search.
- If you change your business details, remember to update your local listings like Google My Business, Yelp, and social media.
- Update the name, phone number, address, and other details.
Use NAP and Keywords in Your Posts and Reviews
- NAP means the Name, Address, and Phone Number of your business.
- This will help search engines know that your business information is correct and matches what’s on Google.
- Adding keywords and your location to posts and reviews will help you show up better in local searches for those keywords.
- Keywords and NAP help make Local SEO better.
- If you keep mentioning where you are and what you offer, more people looking for products and services nearby will see your business.
Also Read: The Ultimate Local SEO Checklist for 2024: 12 Steps to Success
Get More Ratings and Reviews
- Send the GMB link to your friends and family.
- Don’t forget to post it on social media as well.
- Reviews are the biggest influence on people when they shop online. It creates trust and loyalty to the brand.
- Your business will rank higher if you get more good reviews.
Make Sure Your NAP is Easily Accessible
- Your NAP should always be on your website in three places.
- Home
- About
- Contact
- Even better, include a footer at the bottom of every page on your website. This way, all the contact information that Google needs to verify is correct and included on every page or piece of content you make.
- Google wants to make sure your business is real and shares the correct information that they can provide to their users.
To Conclude
Creating your Google Business Profile is important for improving local SEO and helping more people find your business. By claiming and verifying your profile, making sure all your information is correct and current, and responding to customer questions, you can help your business show up better in local search results.
Keep your profile updated with new photos and posts often. Also, use tools like Google Insights to make your profile work better. These actions help your website show up higher in search results and make customers trust you more and get more involved.
By focusing on your Google Business Profile, you can attract more local customers, get your brand noticed, and help your business grow. Putting time and effort into keeping your profile updated is a smart choice that helps you get noticed more and reach more people nearby.
FAQs
How can I verify my business on Google My Business?
Verifying your business on Google Business Profile (GMB) makes sure that the details you give are correct and that you have the right to manage the listing. The most common way to verify is by mail. Google sends a postcard with a code to your business address. You need to add this code into your Google Business Profile account to finish verifying it. Sometimes, you can check your identity by phone, email, or instant verification if you’ve already verified yourself with other Google services. Once confirmed, your business details will show up in search results and on Google Maps.
Why can’t I see my Google Business Profile listing?
If your Google Business Profile listing isn’t showing up, there could be several reasons. Make sure your profile is complete and verified, because profiles that are not fully filled out or verified might not appear. There could be a delay in getting things done. Make sure your business follows Google’s rules and check that there are no problems or penalties with your listing. Also, it might take a little while for changes to show up because of the indexing process. If the problem continues, you can check Google’s support articles or reach out to Google Business Profile support for help.
Can I add several locations to my Google My Business profile?
Yes, Google My Business lets you handle several business locations from one account. After you log in to your Google Business Profile, you can add and manage each location one by one. This feature is useful for businesses that have multiple locations or franchises. You can change information, share updates, and reply to reviews for each location on one main screen. This easy management keeps things consistent at all your business locations and makes sure each profile is well taken care of and improved.
How can I reply to reviews of customers on my GMB profile?
To respond to reviews, sign in to your GMB account and go to the Reviews part. Choose the review you want to reply to, and then you can write your reply. Write a friendly and professional reply. Thank customers for their good comments or address any worries they have. After you write your response, send it, and it will be seen by the reviewer and other possible buyers. Responding to reviews displays your care about what customers think and helps create a good image for your business.
