Did you know that around 60% of Americans use mobile devices to search for local products and services?
It seems like this number is growing as we speak.
The point is simple – information is at our fingertips, and businesses should make most of it. So, instead of focusing on too many channels, every local business should start by optimizing their Google My Business (GMB) page and ensure that they first get the local traffic before strategizing on how to tap into a broader audience.
Below, we share the most crucial elements behind a high performing Google My Business (GMB) listing.
Understanding How GMB Works
First of all, is the fact that business owners should understand how GMB works before attempting anything with it. In a nutshell, this tool is excellent if you want to:
- Control, index, and display all of the relevant business information
- Interact with your potential customers and manage your online reputation easily
- Curate customer photos, videos, and other generated content
- Gather insights on how your customers are arriving at your site
It is easy to see that Google My Business is essential for your local SEO strategy. In addition to this, you can check our guide on optimizing your GMB page for maximum local SEO efficiency.
Business Information And Categorization
Expecting local customers without having business information written on your GMB page is like waiting for a miracle.
Make sure that you keep your information accurate and updated. Everyone should see the vital business information on your profile. Also, you should keep the business name, address, and phone number consistent with your online citations.
Additionally, you should make sure that you have stable categorization – adding what your business is all about and how it can help others. Below is an example of our GMB listing.
Adding Your Number, Link For Appointments And Latest Posts
The information you present on your GMB profile should always be consistent. We would say that a telephone number is probably the most direct way to share your contact information – and strongly suggest adding it.
However, people who are still not ready to call you should have an alternative option to choose. Because of this, we have put a Calendly link where they can click and easily schedule an appointment with us.
Additionally, we have placed some posts on our GMB profile, which can help users understand more about our business and see what we do.
You can see how it looks on the image below, and the search term used is “digital marketing agency Tracy.”
Mastering Your Brand Appearance
Lastly, ensuring you have the right set of photos on your GMB listing can also help you get some eyeballs and probably some leads out of it. You should add imagery and pictures to the profile, too – here is how Google My Business (GMB) categorizes photos:
- Interior: These are photos taken inside of your location, so customers know what to expect
- Exterior: These help people find you by seeing the outside of your site (or storefront)
- At work: Posting photos of your team at work is also great for brand awareness
- Identity: Your cover photo should showcase the personality of your business. It is the preferred photo you should show on your listing in Search and Maps.
Final Words
In the end, GMB is an excellent tool because it lets your local audience see what your business is all about, read the real reviews by users, and learn more about your whereabouts without opening your website.We like to call it “your second most valuable online presence” and why we recommend every business to focus on it as a go-to lead generation tool. If you need help with GMB or need someone to polish your online presence, don’t hesitate to contact us today or schedule an appointment!
We like to call it “your second most valuable online presence” and why we recommend every business to focus on it as a go-to lead generation tool. If you need help with GMB or need someone to polish your online presence, don’t hesitate to contact us today or schedule an appointment!
