October 1, 2021

Leveraging Local SEO Strategies: How to Utilize Google My Business

Dot The i Creative

Are you looking for ways to boost your Local SEO game in Columbus, Ohio?

Adding a Google My Business (GMB) listing is the answer. It is a free tool enabling businesses to make a profile on Google.

You can promote your business address, contact details, and social media links through the profile. GMB lets you show valuable information on Google Search and Google Maps.

Only 44% of local retailers have a GMB listing. Securing a profile will give you an edge. Read on and learn how to use Google My Business for an effective Local Search Engine Marketing strategy.

Creating a GMB Listing

To create a Google My Business profile, use an existing Google account or create a new one. Use your business email domain to maximize branding.

Go to the drop-down menu and select "Add your business to Google." Pick the proper business category and enter your location. If you have no physical store, put your service area instead.

Complete your contact information. Include your social media page if you want customers to contact you there. Click Finish and verify your business on Google.

Understand the Ranking Factors

As an integral part of Local SEO, Google My Business improves your Google Local rankings. It uses three vital factors to determine the rankings: Relevance, proximity, and prominence.

Relevance shows whether your business aligns with your customer search intent. A relevant GMB listing matches what they look for.

Pick the best possible categories and subcategories to increase your relevance. Include the location and primary business keyword in your description.

Focus on using relevant keywords to your product or service. Ensure they are somewhere natural within your description.

The proximity factor is about the distance between you and your target audience. The closer your business to the searcher, the higher your rankings become.

Proximity can be tricky since users have different locations. Be specific with your current address. If your pizza parlor is in Columbus, Ohio, put it on your website page title.

Give three to four on-site directions to your location. Use landmarks as your points of reference. To make it easier for your customers, embed a Google Map on your contact page.

Prominence refers to your business popularity within your local area. It shows how active your listing engagement is. The drivers for this factor include your reviews, local content, and events.

Google also counts your business articles, links, and directories online.

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Optimize Your GMB Listing

Optimizing your Google My Business makes your profile more effective. Use the right photos to make your listing stand out more. Publish your company logo and add a decent cover photo.

Add pictures of your location. Publish some images of your best-selling products. Invest in professional photography since your goal is to captivate your audience.

Post regular updates about your business, such as new products or services. Keep your audience posted about upcoming events. Include the date, time, and location.

Create a buzz by posting your latest special offers. The description should be engaging enough to build excitement.

GMB also comes with exclusive features and attributes, depending on the categories you picked. You can add product catalogs to your profile. For example, restaurants can upload menus and offer online ordering and reservations.

Add a booking button if you are a service-oriented business. Encourage your customers to leave reviews. Getting a lot of positive reviews improves your local rankings.

You can add a customized URL or use Google's free marketing kit. It includes printable posters and stickers where customers can leave their feedback.

The reviews should also be from real people. The Google algorithm can detect whether the reviews are legitimate. They remove spammy reviews, especially when they sound unnatural.

Reply to the reviews to show them you value their opinions. Be professional and use your brand's tone when you respond. Focus on delivering consistency and excellent customer service.

Accuracy is Key

Maintain your GMB listing accuracy. An address with a single misspelled word can lead to losing clients for conversion.

If you changed locations, update your address immediately. The same applies when you have a new contact number. Add your business hours and holiday hours to inform customers about the best time to go.

Optimize your NAP (name, address, phone number) by ensuring its consistency across the web. The NAP in your GMB listing must be the same as your website, social media, and other directory listings.

Access and Analyze Insights

A GMB profile allows you to access customer insights. It is on top of what Google Analytics gives you. Insights show you the number of people searching for your business.

You can also see how many tried calling your business or asked directions to your store. Insights also show the most popular photos, actions, and keywords in your GMB profile.

Use the bundled Google Local Services Ads feature. Incorporate a local extension in your ads to give them clickable location details.

Things to Avoid

Avoid the mistake of not claiming your listing. An unclaimed listing means you cannot enjoy the abovementioned features. When a customer leaves a comment, you can't respond.

Other companies can also claim your listing. A competitor can change your address and contact details to mislead customers. Worse, they can put their information instead.

Don't be lazy with the map pin location. Adjust your pin when Google fails to detect it using your business address.

Work on Your Local SEO Now

Using Google My Business properly allows you to boost your Local SEO efforts. You can increase your local visibility and attract more prospects for conversion. The profile is free, meaning you need only claim your profile to enjoy its benefits.

However, learning about the advantages of a GMB profile is only half the battle. If you're looking for a Local Search Company, you came to the right place. We offer top-notch Local Search Engine Optimization Services in Columbus, Ohio.

Get in touch with us and request a free quote. Allow us to improve your SEO strategies today.

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Dot The i Creative

Dot The i Creative (DTi Creative for short) is a full service digital marketing agency offering Search Engine Optimization, PPC & Digital Advertising, Social Media Management, Website Design & Development, Marketing Automation, and Content Creation Services in the Dublin, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio area.

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