Are you looking to boost your local business’s visibility on Google and attract more nearby customers? You’re likely aware of the significance of optimizing your website and running Google Ads campaigns, but there’s another essential aspect that demands your attention: your Google Business Profile. Officially known as your Business Profile, this powerful listing is a dynamic snapshot of your business, showcasing your best features and enabling potential customers to discover, learn about, and engage with your business—all directly from the search engine results page (SERP). The best part? It’s absolutely free.
At BlueCoast Marketing, we understand the immense potential of an optimized Google Business Profile, and we’re here to help you make the most of it. According to a BrightLocal study, despite the staggering 167 billion monthly searches on Google, the average Business Profile receives only 1,260 views during that period (a mere 0.00000075%!). Moreover, a mere 59 actions are taken from those views, accounting for less than 5% overall.
The issue lies not with the Google My Business platform but rather with the failure of businesses to leverage its impressive features. To address this, we’ve crafted a comprehensive guide to optimizing your Google Business Profile, equipping you with 13 powerful strategies to enhance your local search dominance:
1. Claim your Business Profile
To get started, it’s essential to create a Google My Business account and link it to your Google Business Profile. Head over to Google.com/business, sign in with the Google/Gmail account associated with your business, and follow the setup process.
2. Complete every section of your Google My Business account
Ensuring your Business Profile is complete and up-to-date is crucial for higher rankings and increased customer actions. Prioritize information such as your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours. Furthermore, take time to fill out categories, attributes, products, services, and Q&A sections.
3. Be meticulous with your contact information
Maintaining accurate contact information is vital. Use your business name exactly as it appears in real life (avoiding keyword stuffing), and ensure consistency across all online listings. Include regular and holiday hours to facilitate customer visits and avoid negative reviews due to closed locations.
4. Craft a compelling “from the business” description
While you can’t control the brief description appearing under your business name, you can optimize the “from the business” section in your Google My Business dashboard. Utilize the entire 750 characters, focusing on key information within the first 250 characters. Repurpose content from your “About Us” page or mission statement and incorporate keywords relevant to your audience.
5. Choose relevant primary and secondary categories
Selecting the right categories is pivotal for appearing in discovery searches and highlighting category-specific features. Be specific and choose secondary categories when applicable, but avoid overdoing it to maintain relevance and accuracy.
6. Highlight applicable attributes
Google offers a list of attributes to describe your business further. These attributes provide valuable information that customers seek, such as “gift shop on-site” or “free Wi-Fi.” Choose relevant attributes to enhance your Business Profile.
7. Upload high-quality photos regularly
Adding captivating photos to your Business Profile improves its appearance, signals activity to Google, and enhances engagement. Include happy customers, interior and exterior views, and team photos. Avoid stock photos and those with special effects or branding.
8. Acquire Google reviews
Positive reviews greatly influence consumer buying decisions, and they also impact your local rankings. Encourage your loyal customers to leave reviews and respond to reviews to demonstrate engagement and improve your local SEO.
9. Leverage Google posts for announcements and promotions
Posting regular updates about your business, events, and offers attracts more actions from customers and sends positive signals to Google. Google posts have higher intent compared to social media platforms, increasing customer engagement with your Business Profile.
10. Monitor and participate in the Q&A section
Stay on top of questions and answers posted to your Business Profile and provide accurate information. Seed your own frequently asked questions and answers to highlight your best features and reduce barriers for potential customers.
11. Showcase your products and services
Populate the products and services section with detailed information to enhance your Business Profile’s ranking for relevant searches. Include names, descriptions, and prices if applicable, and ensure that your offerings are clear and easy to understand.
12. Enable messaging for direct customer contact
Enabling messaging on your Google Business Profile allows potential customers to contact you directly via text. With a vast number of users utilizing smartphones for local searches, this feature is an excellent way to increase customer engagement.
13. Maintain your Business Profile consistently
Optimizing your Google Business Profile is an ongoing process. Keep your information up-to-date, publish regular posts and photos, respond to reviews, and explore new features to maximize your benefits.
By applying these 13 powerful optimization strategies, you can transform your Google Business Profile into a potent customer acquisition tool that significantly enhances your local search dominance. At BlueCoast Marketing, we’re dedicated to helping your business thrive in the digital landscape. So, roll up your sleeves and start implementing these strategies today to unlock the full potential of your Google Business Profile!