How to optimize Google My Business listingby Olympia Caswell - Local Business First
60% of Americans use smartphones to search for local products and services. And that number only continues to grow. Having a Google my Business listing is paramount in today’s data driven age. Here is what you can do to help your clients find YOUR business.
1. Claim your Google My Business listingThe first step you need to take as a business owner is to claim your business on Google. Go to google.com/business and click on the manage my business button. First, type in the name of your business. If it appears in the pull-down list, select it; if it does not, then type in its full name and move to the next page. It will then ask you a series of questions such as location, the areas/towns you serve, what category of business you represent, and the contact information your customers can use.
Press finish, and voila, you have claimed your business! |
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2. Complete your business information in the Info Tab
Simply claiming your business is not enough for your customers to get the information they need, however.
Go to your Info Tab and enter as much information as possible. Some of the information you may have already entered when you claimed your business, so fill in what may be missing. This may include:
Go to your Info Tab and enter as much information as possible. Some of the information you may have already entered when you claimed your business, so fill in what may be missing. This may include:
- Hours of operation
- Services you offer
- Locations you service
- Whether or not you accept Google assistant calls
- Where to book an appointment
3. Post like you do on Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media
Google allows you to post on your business page similar to the way you do on Facebook or on any other social media platform. There are four different kinds of posts you may utilize:
- What’s New - allows you to give your customers insight on what is going on currently in your business
- Events - this type of post lets customers know about any events you’re hosting or holding in the future
- Offers - lets people know about current special offers or discounts or ones you’re planning for the near future
- Products - this post allows customers to look at your products without having to go on your official website. They can buy them directly from here as well.
4. Add photos and videos
People like to not only read about what’s going on with your business but also to see examples of your products or services, so if possible, make sure to add photos and videos.
5. Geotag your images
Geotagging is adding a location to a picture, which will allow your customers to know where the photo was taken.
If you’re a local business that mainly serves your surrounding area, geotagging will bring in more customers from your region. Sometimes certain devices automatically geotag photos, but many do not. Check if your photos are automatically geotagged. If not, follow the steps below to add a location to your picture:
If you’re a local business that mainly serves your surrounding area, geotagging will bring in more customers from your region. Sometimes certain devices automatically geotag photos, but many do not. Check if your photos are automatically geotagged. If not, follow the steps below to add a location to your picture:
- Go to https://tool.geoimgr.com
- Upload your JPG image
- If the photo is already geotagged, the location will show up on the map
- If not, or if you want to change the location, then use the marker to set a location, or enter latitude and longitude coordinates
- Hit the button Write EXIIF tags
- Download the geotagged image
- Upload to Google My Business
6. Send your client a Google direct link and ask for their feedback
Reviews can really help your business gain more traction, positive reviews increasing the likelihood that potential customers will choose you over a competitor.
Very often, however, people may forget to leave a review or may not want to spend a lot of time and effort finding out how to do it. Sending your clients a Google direct link removes any extra work and reminds them that you would really love and appreciate their feedback. All they have to do is write it and hit the Send button! If you’re not sure how to send a Google direct link, follow the steps below:
Very often, however, people may forget to leave a review or may not want to spend a lot of time and effort finding out how to do it. Sending your clients a Google direct link removes any extra work and reminds them that you would really love and appreciate their feedback. All they have to do is write it and hit the Send button! If you’re not sure how to send a Google direct link, follow the steps below:
- Go to this page: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/examples/places-placeid-finderEnter the name of the place in the address field
- Copy the code: ChIJVVVVVZVv5IkRrN3piD2gFGA
- Replace the code in the following: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJrzAm3DVy5IkRKzfauM2WHRs
- Send link to your client
7. Get links from local high authority websites
“Inbound links” as they’re called, are links to your business that other businesses put on their own websites. Inbound links will help your business move forward, creating more traffic to your website and getting the attention of those who before that may have been unaware of you and your business.
Some may find generating inbound links a daunting task, however - one they’re unsure of how to even approach. Garnering links from local high authority websites such as the Better Business Bureau, the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, or other networking or community organizations, will be sure to get the attention of potential customers in your area.
Some may find generating inbound links a daunting task, however - one they’re unsure of how to even approach. Garnering links from local high authority websites such as the Better Business Bureau, the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, or other networking or community organizations, will be sure to get the attention of potential customers in your area.
8. Answer questions from users
Each Google business page has a place where customers or potential customers can ask you questions. These will be displayed on your page so others may see the answers as well.
Make sure to thoroughly answer these. If people get the information they need, they’re more likely to become customers. If nobody is asking questions, you can always ask some questions whose answers you think people would want to know. A goal of asking and answering 6-10 questions on your page is a worthy one.
Make sure to thoroughly answer these. If people get the information they need, they’re more likely to become customers. If nobody is asking questions, you can always ask some questions whose answers you think people would want to know. A goal of asking and answering 6-10 questions on your page is a worthy one.
