How To Use Google My Business To Boost Local Traffic
In today’s competitive business landscape, standing out locally is crucial. One of the most effective ways to boost your local presence is by optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) listing. This free tool by Google helps businesses manage their online presence across the search engine and maps.
Here's how to optimize your Google Business Listing to stand out from the competition and attract more customers:
Why Optimize Your Google Business Listing?
Before diving into the how, let’s understand the why. Optimizing your Google Business Listing can:
Increase your visibility on Google Search and Maps.
Improve local SEO, helping you to appear in local search results.
Provide essential business information to your customers quickly.
Collect valuable customer reviews and feedback.
Showcase your products and services effectively.
Imagine a potential customer searching for services you offer, and your business appears at the top of their search results. Optimizing your GMB listing ensures that your business ranks higher in local searches, making it easier for customers to find you.
Getting Started
First, claim your Google Business Listing if you haven’t already. Visit Google My Business and follow the steps to claim and verify your business. Once verified, you’re ready to optimize.
Optimizing Your Listing
1. Ensure Your Information is Accurate and Comprehensive
Customers want convenience. An optimized GMB listing provides all the essential information—like your phone number, address, business hours, and more—at their fingertips. This convenience makes it easy for customers to reach out, visit your store, or book your services directly. Accurate and up-to-date information not only drives more foot traffic and website traffic but also increases inquiries and ultimately, sales.
Pro Tip: If you have a physical location, add relevant attributes like "wheelchair accessible" or "free Wi-Fi" to give customers more details.
2. Select the Right Business Category
Choosing the appropriate category is pivotal. It helps Google understand what your business offers, improving your chances of appearing in relevant searches.
If you’re a car detailer for example, you wouldn't want to select the ‘car leasing service’ category unless you do offer that service.
Pro Tip: You can add more than 1 category to your listing. Make sure they’re all relevant to the services you offer.
3. Utilize the Business Description
You have 750 characters to describe what makes your business unique. Use relevant keywords that your ideal customer would be searching and highlight what sets you apart from competitors.
4. Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos
Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps and 35% more click-throughs to their websites. Regularly update your photos to keep your listing fresh and engaging.
Pro Tip: Include smiling faces of your staff and customers! People want to imagine themselves in your customers shoes and want to see the faces behind the business - so show them!
5. Gather and Respond to Reviews
Positive reviews are gold for your business. Reviews significantly impact your business’s reputation and search ranking. An optimized GMB listing showcases your best reviews prominently, giving potential clients the confidence to choose your business over competitors. Encourage your customers to leave genuine reviews and always respond professionally to all feedback, showing you value customer input.
Pro Tip: When you’re responding to reviews, naturally incorporating your business keywords can improve your search ranking.
6. Use the ‘Add Update’ Feature
Google Posts allows you to share updates, offers, events, and more directly in your listing. This feature is a great way to engage with customers and keep them informed.
7. Monitor Your Insights
Google provides valuable insights into how customers interact with your listing. Use this data to understand customer behavior better and adjust your strategy accordingly.
8. Add Products and Services
If applicable, adding your products and services to your listing can provide potential customers with a quick overview of what you offer, further enticing them to choose your business.
Pro Tip: This is another place to add your keywords, ranking you higher in search!
9. FAQs and Bookings
Anticipate common questions and provide answers in your listing. Also, if you offer online bookings like consultation or experiences, consider adding your direct booking link to your profile.
🤔 Wanting a step-by-step walkthrough? Watch my FREE 19-minute Google My Business Optimization Training!
How RE.DIRECT Can Simplify Your GMB Optimization
Optimizing your Google My Business listing might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. RE.DIRECT is an all-in-one business management software designed to streamline your operations and drive growth. With RE.DIRECT, you can automatically send out review requests to your customers, ensuring a steady stream of feedback without continuous manual effort. The software also helps you automate other key aspects of your business, from email marketing and messenger automation to text messaging and paid advertising management.
Benefits of Using RE.DIRECT:
Automated Review Requests: Effortlessly send review requests to customers, enhancing your business’s credibility.
Saves you time and reduces the complexity of managing multiple tools
Centralized Management: Manage all your GMB tasks from one user-friendly dashboard.
Provides top-notch mentorship, coaching, and training to help you succeed
Performance Monitoring: Track your local search performance and make data-driven decisions.
Optimizing your Google My Business listing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to enhance your local SEO, attract more customers, and grow your business. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to shine in your local market. With RE.DIRECT, the process becomes even more straightforward, allowing you to focus on what matters most—growing your business.
Ready to get started?
