Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool for enhancing your local SEO and improving your online visibility. Optimizing your GMB profile can also attract more local customers, increase your business’s credibility, and provide essential information to potential clients.
Here’s a comprehensive checklist to ensure your GMB profile is fully optimized:
Claim and Verify Your Business Claim Your Business: If you haven’t already, claim your business on Google My Business by visiting the GMB website and searching for your business. If your business isn’t listed, create a new listing.
- Verify Your Business: Google will send a postcard with a verification code to your business address. Also, enter the verification code on your GMB dashboard to confirm ownership.
Complete Your Business Information Business Name: Ensure your business name matches the name you use on your storefront and also other online profiles.
- Address: Provide an accurate and complete address. Ensure it’s consistent across all online directories.
- Phone Number: Use a local phone number rather than a toll-free number to improve local search visibility.
- Website: Add your website URL. Ensure it’s a direct link to your business site, not a social media page or other third-party sites.
Choose the Right Categories Primary Category: Select the most relevant primary category that describes your business. This also impacts your visibility in local searches.
- Additional Categories: Add secondary categories if they apply to your business. Please don’t overdo it; choose categories that accurately represent your services.
Add Business Hours Regular Hours: Enter your standard business hours accurately. Also, make sure to update these if they change.
- Special Hours: Include special hours for holidays or events to inform customers when you’ll be open or closed.
Write a Compelling Business Description Summary: Write a clear and concise description of your business. Also, highlight what makes your business unique and the services you offer.
- Keywords: Include relevant keywords naturally within the description to improve searchability.
Upload High-Quality Photos Profile and Cover Photos: However, use high-resolution images for your profile and also cover photos that represent your brand.
- Interior and Exterior Photos: Show photos of the inside and outside of your business to help customers recognize your location.
- Product and Service Photos: Upload images of your products or services to showcase what you offer.
- Team Photos: Include photos of your team to personalize your business and build trust.
Collect and Manage Reviews Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your GMB profile.
- Respond to Reviews: Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. Thank customers for positive reviews and also address concerns in negative reviews professionally.
- Monitor Reviews: Regularly check for new reviews and respond promptly.
Add Services and Products Services: List all the services you offer. Provide detailed descriptions and prices if applicable.
- Products: If you sell products, list them with clear descriptions, prices, and high-quality images.
Utilize Google Posts Regular Updates: Use Google Posts to share updates, offers, events, and also news about your business.
- Content: Include engaging content, images, and links to your website or landing pages.
- Frequency: Post regularly to keep your audience informed and engaged. Aim for at least one post per week.
Enable Messaging Turn on Messaging:
Enable the messaging feature in your GMB profile to allow customers to contact you directly through your listing.
- Quick Responses: Respond to messages promptly to improve customer satisfaction and engagement.
Add Business Attributes: Add relevant attributes such as “Women-Led,” “Free Wi-Fi,” “Outdoor Seating,” etc., to provide additional information to potential customers.
Monitor Insights Track Performance: Use the Insights feature in GMB to track how customers find your business, also their actions on your listing, and other valuable metrics.
- Adjust Strategies: Use this data to adjust your strategies and improve your GMB performance over time.
Ensure NAP Consistency Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP): Ensure your NAP information is consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, and online directories.
Optimize for Local Keywords Research: Identify local keywords that are relevant to your business and integrate them naturally into your GMB profile.
- Descriptions and Posts: Use these keywords in your business description, services, and Google Posts to improve local search visibility.