If you’re a local brand, having a Google My Business Profile is not optional if you want to rank highly in local search. According to Moz.com’s Local Search Ranking Factor Study, your Google My Business Profile is number 1 factor when it comes to ranking in Google’s MAP Pack. It’s not enough just to have a listing, every section of your profile should be filled out and you should try to gather as many reviews as you can. You need to post content regularly to your profile and share relevant news and updates about your brand.
One of the best ways of creating content for your Google My Business Profile is by posting images that show off your brand, and its location. You can create inspiring galleries that feature your menu, dishes, or products, show off your team members, and give potential customers a peek behind the scenes at your business. Your Google My Business profile is also important as it display whenever users search on Google Maps for local nearby brands. When you consider how many people look up the location of a local business on Google Maps, you can see why you MUST ensure your Google My Business profile is properly optimised.
Tips for optimising your Google My Business profile:
- Keep all your info consistent – Google scores you on this, and your score affects how you rank, so make sure the details you put into your Google My Business profile lines up with the information on your website. Your info should also match any NAP citations you have on other websites. Make sure your business’s address is spelled the same way everywhere, as Google finds it confusing when different versions or abbreviations of your address or name appear.
- Fill in everything – You get points for every section of your profile you complete, so make sure EVERYTHING is filled out. Don’t forget to enter details into the category selection section as well, including secondary categories. Secondary categories affect the keywords and search terms your business can rank for, but a lot of people make the mistake of leaving them out. Fill out the Services and Products section too, to let Google know what you do, and what you have to offer.