If you aren’t using Google Business Profile to support your company’s online presence, you are missing out on one of the most effective, helpful, and easy-to-use tools to help you stand out on Google and manage the information that potential customers see when they do a Google search.
What is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is a free business tool you can use to manage how your company appears in Google Searches and connects with customers. A Google Business Profile will help you to control how your company is presented on Google Maps, work towards ranking higher in Google searches that are related to your services, and connect with customers online.
Google is the most powerful search engine in the world and it is essential for your small or local business to optimize your Google profile in order to attract local SEO-targeted customers to your website. By properly using your Google Business Profile you will find that you are able to enjoy a better quality of targeted traffic to your website and a higher overall conversion rate for your products and services.
Below we will talk you through our Top 30 Google Business Profile Tips And Tricks to get you started on learning how to Manage your Google Business Profile so that it is at its most effective and attracts your target demographic to your company and website.
1 Claim and Verify Your Business Profile
Your very first step is to set up a Google Account and create a business profile on Google for your company. You will need to fill out your business information which will then appear on the Google Search results page when potential customers input a search for the local service or products you offer.
This is your first opportunity to use Google to interest your customers and encourage them to contact you – so take advantage of each opportunity your profile gives you. Don’t be tempted to miss out on information such as hours of operation, this may be the key determining factor for a potential customer in deciding between two business profiles that have come up in a local search.
Fill in Your Business Name, Business Address, Email, Phone Number, and Opening Hours as soon as you set up your account.
2 Take the Time to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Many business owners simply fill in the basics of their local business information and leave it at that. But if you only do the bare minimum with your business description you are missing out on a great opportunity to persuade customers why they should choose your company over your competitors. Google is also more likely to reward complete and up-to-date profiles with higher search rankings.
Take the time to fill in the category and attributes section while paying attention to detail. Think about what your customers are likely to be looking for in a company like yours and fill in this section accordingly (as long as you can deliver on all your claims!)
Make sure that you make the most of the Products and Services section and From The Business Section – these are both great free advertising opportunities and you should treat them as such, emphasizing your Unique Selling Points and optimizing your text for Local SEO.
3 Always Answer Questions from Potential Customers
Show your potential customers and Google that you are engaged, helpful, and available by taking the time to answer questions. This is another great opportunity to sell your business, frame your answers so that you are giving the information required in a way that best reflects your business (but don’t start selling directly!)
You can even take the time to help customers with regularly answer questions that are not directly focused on your business. This will show Google that you are engaged and active online and providing value to their users.
4 Update Your Posts and Reviews Regularly
This is a task that no business owner should let fall by the wayside. When a customer is considering your company one of the first things they will do is check the google reviews associated with your profile.
Take the time to manage Google Reviews and thank everyone who posts a favorable review about your business and reply to negative reviews with a humble, honest, and non-vindicative acknowledgment and description of how you will do better in the future.
Remember as with all your online content your goal here is to present your company in the best possible light to attract more customers – getting into a public war of words with customers is unlikely to attract any new clients!
5 Use Google Business Photos to Optimize Your Profile
Your Business Profile Photo is going to be the first visual representation potential customers see when your company is presented to them in search and maps results – so you need to make sure they like what they see!
A fuzzy, off-focus snap of the side of a dirty building is unlike to entice customers, so make sure that you present your company in the most professional and flattering light.
You can choose to use a company logo or professionally shot headshot as your profile photo, to ensure that you give off the right impression from the get-go.
Then pick your cover photo, this needs to be a representative image of your business that showcases some attributes and gives the impression of a professional, established and trust-worthy company.
Also take the opportunity to upload further photos of your business premises, team and products in the photos section. make sure to included SEO optimized tags and captions for each picture.
Make sure all photos are high quality and meet the size requirements and format Google require.
6 Keep Your Business Hours Up to Date
As well as completing your opening hours and other information when your set up your google account, you also need to make sure that you update it in case of any changes. If you have a new email address , phone number or have changed your opening hours make sure that your Google Business Profile reflects this as quickly as possible. If a customer has trouble reaching you once, it is unlikely they will try again.
Updating your profile with periods of extended hours of operation during holidays, special events and late night shopping may also help to make you stand out amongst the competition.
7 Encourage Reviews of Your Business
Inviting people to make online judgements about your product or service can be a scary thing if you are a new business owner. But getting lots of positive reviews for your business is a great way to help bunk up your position in the Google search engine rankings.
Encourage people on your website and social media to help spread the word about your business and help to boost your online presence in the process.
Remeber to reply to each and every review, using your reply to increase good impressions and show how much you value your customers.
8 Make Sure Your Google Map Location is Correct
Once you have completed your business’s location details on your profile, you will need to ensure this is being accurately presented on Google Maps. If the marker is slightly off you can use your mouse to drag the pin to the correct location.
It is essential that customers know exactly where to find your company and how to get there. If they are directed to the wrong part of a long street or the wrong side of the road, they may give up on finding the place surprisingly quickly.
To correct the position of your business on Google Maps, you will need to log into your Google Business profile and click on the Info option. You will then be able to select to view your location on Google Maps, if you need to change the positioning, click on the pen icon. You will then be able to click and drag your pin so that it is in the right place.
9 Include Videos in Your Google Business Profile
Incorporate Videos
Videos are a great way to show potential customers what your business is all about. You can create videos that showcase your products or services, highlight customer testimonials, or give a virtual tour of your business. Also, adding 360-degree photos is a great way to give customers a more immersive experience.
When creating videos, optimize them for SEO by including keywords in the title and description. You should also upload your videos to YouTube and other video-sharing sites. This will help you reach a wider audience. While you’re at it, create a channel for your business on YouTube.
10 Manage Your Reviews
Online reviews are an important part of any local business. They help potential customers learn about your business and make informed decisions about whether or not to visit your store.
Make sure to claim your business on reviews like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. This will allow you to respond to reviews and manage your business’s reputation. Also, encourage customers to leave reviews by providing links on your website and social media pages.
Also, set up Google Alerts for your business name and keywords. This way, you’ll be notified anytime someone mentions your business online. When responding to reviews, always be professional and courteous. Thank customers for their feedback, address concerns, and take the conversation offline if necessary.
11 Respond To Negative Reviews
You will inevitably receive a negative review at some point. While it may be tempting to delete the review or respond with anger, it’s important to remember that potential customers are reading these reviews. The best way to deal with a negative review is to respond professionally and address the customer’s concerns. Thank them for their feedback and invite them to contact you directly so you can resolve the issue.
Also, keep an eye on your business’s social media pages and review sites. This will allow you to respond to any negative reviews that are posted quickly. You can post a response that puts the negative review into context for reviews that can’t be deleted.
For example, if you own a restaurant and receive a negative review because the customer’s food was cold, you could respond with something like, “We’re sorry to hear that your food was cold. We strive to provide our customers with the best possible experience and will work to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
12 Answer The Most Common Questions
One way to make your business stand out is to provide answers to common questions that potential customers may have. This shows that you’re knowledgeable about your industry and willing to go the extra mile to help potential customers.
To get started, take a look at the questions that are commonly asked about your business. You can find these questions by doing a simple Google search or looking at the “People Also Ask” section on Google. For example, if you own a hair salon, some common questions may be, “How much does a haircut cost?” or “What are the best hair products for frizzy hair?”
Once you have a list of questions, create content that provides answers to these questions. Add this content to your website, blog, or social media pages. You can also use this content to create FAQs or a Knowledge Base for your business.
Also, make sure to update your content regularly. This will ensure that it’s accurate and relevant.
13 Set Up Messaging
With messaging, potential customers can contact you directly from your business listing. This is a great way to provide customer service or answer potential customers’ questions.
For example, if someone is looking for your business’s hours, they can send you a message, and you can respond with the information they need. Also, customers can use messaging to make reservations if they own a restaurant.
Try to respond to messages quickly so potential customers don’t feel that you’re not interested in helping them. Also, consider using automated responses to answer common questions. This will help save you time while providing potential customers with the necessary information.
14 Optimize Your Listing For SEO
While you can’t control how your business appears in organic search results, you can optimize your Google Business listing to ensure it’s as visible as possible.
Ensure to include relevant keywords in your business name and description and take advantage of Google’s category feature.
Use keyword-rich photos and videos, and post regular updates to your listing. You can also create a website for your business and link it to your listing.
Also, be sure to claim your listing and verify your business. This will help you control the information displayed on your listing and ensure that only accurate information is shown.
15 Encourage Customers To Leave Reviews
Online reviews are an important factor in local SEO, so it’s important to encourage customers to leave reviews for your business. You can send follow-up emails or include a call-to-action on your receipts. Also, make it easy for customers to leave reviews by providing a link to your Google Business Profile. Try providing an incentive, such as a discount, to customers who leave a review.
Just be sure not to offer customers an incentive for a positive review. This is considered fake reviews and can get your business in trouble.
16 Get Listed In Local Directories
In addition to Google, there are other local directories where you can list your business. These directories can help improve your visibility in search results and attract new customers.
Some popular local directories include Yelp, Foursquare, and Yellow Pages. You can also get listed in industry-specific directories or directories specific to your location.
To get started, search for “local directories” and find a few relevant to your business. Then, create a listing for your business on each of these sites. Include accurate and up-to-date information about your business, such as your hours, address, and contact information.
17 Avoid Spammy Tactics
When optimizing your Google Business Profile, it’s important to avoid using any spammy tactics. This includes things like keyword stuffing, fake reviews, and duplicate listings.
Also, avoid using a P.O. box as your business address. Google prefers that businesses have a physical address that’s visible to customers. If you use a P.O. box, your business may not appear in search results.
Not only will these tactics not improve your visibility in search results, but they can also get your business suspended from Google. So, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
18 Leverage GBP Tools
With Google My Business, you can access several features and tools to help you boost your presence and profile.
- Google Marketing Kit: For promotions and events, create free stickers, posters, and social media posts. Social media posts are especially useful in helping to increase your online presence. You can use the customer reviews you’ve received to create eye-catching posters with quotes from the text and share them across your social media platforms.
- Google Posts: Advertise new coupons, deals, and events using images, videos, and call-to-action buttons to increase engagement. Google Posts also come with analytics to see how users interacted with your post and use that data to improve future content.
- Local Favorites Program: Awarded to the top 5% of local businesses per category, this program gives digital and physical badges to winners to encourage customers.
19 Keep Your Information Accurate And Up-To-Date
Finally, keeping your Google Business Profile information accurate and up-to-date is important. This includes your hours, address, contact information, and business description.
If this information changes, update your listing, so customers have the most accurate information. You can also use this as an opportunity to add new keywords and optimize your listing.
20 FAQs
1. How Do I Access My Google Business Profile?
First, search for your business on Google. You can search for your business name and city on Google Search and Maps. Once you find your business, tap on the profile photo or initial in the top right corner of the screen. This will take you to your Business Profile. From here, you can manage your Google Business Profile by editing information such as your description, hours, photos, and more.
2. Is Google My Business Free?
Yes, creating and managing your Business Profile is free.
3. What Are The Benefits Of Google Business Profile?
There are many benefits of having a Business Profile on Google. Perhaps the most notable benefit is that it helps you improve your visibility in search results. When customers search for businesses like yours on Google, your Business Profile can appear in search results, along with your hours, address, and phone number. Having a complete and up-to-date Business Profile can help you attract more customers and better connect with the ones you already have.
4. How Do I Edit My Google Business Profile?
To edit your Business Profile, search for your business on Google and tap on the profile photo or initial in the top right corner of the screen. This will take you to your Business Profile. From here, you can manage your Business Profile by editing information. Once you’ve made your changes, be sure to click “Save” to save your changes.
How Can I Use Google Analytics 4 to Track the Performance of my Google Business Profile?
Setting up google analytics 4 is essential for tracking your Google Business Profile. With this powerful tool, you can gain valuable insights into performance metrics like user behavior, conversion rates, and website traffic. Utilize the new features and improved measurement capabilities of Google Analytics 4 to analyze data effectively and make informed decisions for your business. Empower your online presence by harnessing the potential of this advanced analytics platform.
Try BurnesSEO For Internet Marketing Services
At BurnesSEO, we have a team of digital marketing professionals who are experts in optimizing Google Business Profiles. We will help you ensure your profile is complete and accurate and that all the potential information customers need is easy to find.
We can also help you to take advantage of features such as Google Posts, which allows you to promote special offers or events directly on your profile.
With our help, you can ensure that potential customers are seeing your business in your local area who are searching for the products or services you offer. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you make the most of your Google Business Profile.
