Google My Business has changed its name. It is now called Google Business Profile. Optimizing your GBP (formerly GMB) is a useful technique for improving your company’s local SEO. Our creative virtual assistant teams can help you optimize your GMB profile.
In this article, we will teach you:
– How to Set Up your Google Business Profile
– What are the Benefits of Google My Business
– How to Optimize your Google My Business Profile
Let’s begin.
What is Google My Business?
It is the former name for Google Business Profile (GBP). This free tool from Google lets you control how your business appears on Google’s search engine. You can also connect with your customers using your GMB profile.
You can use this tool even if you don’t have a physical store. All you need is a good contact number where your customers can reach you. Whether you’re a shop owner or a handyman, you can have a Google Business profile.
Benefits of Google My Business
Keeping a Google Business profile has three main benefits. Let’s talk about them here.
Improve Your SEO
Have you noticed that when you search for a business on Google, you’ll see a map and a list of three businesses at the top of the search results? Google calls this the “local pack” or “map pack.” A well-optimized Google Business Profile will appear in these search results.
Boost Your Credibility
Customer reviews provide valuable insights from consumers about your business. A mix of good and bad reviews can help you improve your business. Your customers can leave these reviews on your business profile. Responding to these reviews can help build trust and credibility.
Connect with Customers
People can learn about your business through Google My Business. With your GBP, you can update your customers on new product launches, holiday hours, sales, and other promotions. You can also provide them with updated contact details for your business.
How to Set Up your Google Business Profile
You will need a Google account to sign up for a business profile. Google provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up your business profile. We also provide them here:
To create a Google business profile, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Account, go to the Business page, and click on Manage Now.
- Enter the name of your business and Google will provide you with a list of suggested businesses.
- Select your business name from the list and choose your business category.
- Click “Next” and select the option to enter a location for a physical store or not.
- Enter the service area for your business and all the necessary information like contact number and your business website URL.
- Verify your information.
Verification is a necessary step to activate your Google business profile. Customers can find your business only after completing this step. You can choose “Verify Now” or “Very Later.” Make sure to review your business information before making the request.
Google My Business Best Practices
To enjoy the benefits of Google My Business, it is best to follow these best practices when setting up your business profile.
- Create a single business profile for the metropolitan area you serve.
- Hide your business address you don’t have a physical store that customers can visit.
- A service area business must be specified upon initial setup.
If you do not specify a service area, the default is a local area. You can still change this information after creating your business profile.
How to Optimize Your Business Profile
To ensure your business has a better chance of appearing in Google’s top search results, it is best to keep your Google business profile well-optimized. Here are a few quick tips to follow:
Accurate NAP information
Your business name, address, and phone number are essential details for your GMB profile. Keeping this information consistent and up-to-date helps potential customers find your business easily. Review this information regularly and make sure to keep it accurate.
Useful business description
Avoid cramming so many keywords into your business description. Instead, provide relevant information about your products, services, and company mission. Always follow Google’s content guidelines.
High-quality images
Your profile and cover photos are the two most important images you need to add to your GMB profile. Then, you can add photos of your products, services, and other business activities to keep your profile updated. Make sure to follow Google’s photo guidelines when uploading your images.
Regular post updates
Google My Business is an excellent tool for sharing updates on your product offers, events, and promotions. You can accomplish this by creating a post on your business profile. GBP articles can be up to 1,500 words long, but it is best to keep them short and sweet.
Respond to reviews
Google reviews have a big impact on your company’s reputation. As a business owner, it is important to pay close attention to customer reviews and respond promptly. On your Google business profile, customer reviews are the first thing people see when they find your business. Carefully watching these reviews and responding to them is crucial for your business.
Featured Products
You can highlight your best products on Google My Business by creating a featured product list or collection. This is a fantastic way to highlight your best products and increase their visibility to potential customers.
Questions and answers
It is like an FAQ page for your business profile. Google My Business has a section where people can post questions about your business. It is good practice to answer these questions and engage your audience. You can also create your own questions to attract people’s attention.
Get help from our creative virtual assistant teams
Managing your Google My Business profile can be daunting and time-consuming. There are still some important features to look for that we haven’t covered here. You could use the help of our creative virtual assistants to look after your Google Business profile.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is one of the services provided by Virtual Biznest. Our creative virtual assistant teams can assist you in setting up and managing your Google My Business profile to improve your SEO. Book a call with our talent specialist for a free consultation. Let’s talk soon.
