When it comes to local SEO strategies, it cannot be denied that Google Business Profile is taking the lead. It is important to verify your business listing on Google. It is an important step because doing so will increase your chances of showing up in many areas of Google that focuses on local SEO. You will also open your business to the possibility of showing up on Google’s organic rankings. It’s also quite easy to verify your business. You will just need to qualify, claim your free listing on Google, and provide the basic information about your business. This information is the data that most of your potential customers are looking for, such as your address, business hours, contact information, list of services and even types of payment you accept. You can get started through this link: https://www.google.com/business/.
What Happens After You Verify Your Listing
The thing is, many businesses verify their listings. However, after they do so, they just forget all about it. These businesses don’t realize that they can actually optimize GBP and it can do wonders for their local SEO. Aside from this, there are many other reasons why you should keep track of your Google Business Profile listing. You should really check your listing as often as you can to ensure that the information on it remains accurate. Doing this will not only be helpful for your business but for your customers as well.
Why Should You Complete All the Information That Google Asks For?
In order to complete your GBP profile, you will have to answer many questions. When you finish answering all of these questions, your listing will already be customer-friendly. It will already contain all the data that will help your customers find you easily. You should avoid leaving blank areas because other people might fill it out with wrong information. Now, that can be detrimental to your business because it can leave many customers dissatisfied and even irate. You might not realize it yet, but anyone can suggest a change in your business listings. Your competitors just might try to do that!
When people get to your GBP listing, they will be able to access the ‘Suggest an Edit’ option. If anyone clicks on that, they can make changes to your listing – which could turn your business into ashes. This is also one reason why you need to check out your Google Business Profile listing often. When someone suggests an edit to your listing, you’d get a notification regarding that when logging in into your account.
Unfortunately, inaccurate information on your GBP listing can’t be avoided altogether because Google encourages people to answer questions to gain more information about your company. If they want to answer questions, they can click on the link that says “Know this place? Answer quick questions.” The users will then be prompted to answer questions, which they can decline if they don’t want to do so.
Of course, this also has the potential of being beneficial for your business only if accurate answers are given. Hence, it’s up to you to monitor the activities on your GBP listing.
Utilizing Google Business Profile Posts
When Google Business Profile posts appear on your listing, they usually appear as mini-ads on Google Maps and in the knowledge panel. GBP posts are great because it allows you to add images and call to action buttons. You can also add links that will redirect the user to your website. For instance, if you have an event related to your business, you can set up a post which can contain a link to the information page of your event or even to your registration page. You can also use this GBP feature to promote your new products and services as well as your latest posts.
To make your GBP posts more eye-catching, include an image with each post. Just make sure the image is sized properly or else it can get cut off when it appears in other Google areas if viewed through different devices.
How Can You Use the Booking Button?
You might be unaware of it yet, but the Booking Button feature of Google Business Profile can help your business stand out from the rest of your competitors. Especially when your business requires customers to make a booking, it will be helpful for your business because people can book directly from your GBP listing! Because of this convenient feature, you can gain more customers easily. Also, if you have an account with a scheduling software that is supported by Google, your GBP listing will automatically have a booking button.
Making the Most of the Messaging Feature
The Message feature of your GBP listing allows potential customers and existing customers to send you text messages, so this can help you connect directly. In case you don’t want to use your phone number, you can set up an Allo account. You can link this to your Google Business Profile account so that when people send you a message, you will still get it on your phone, through the Allo app. Unfortunately, currently this feature is only available for mobile users.
Question and Answer Portion
We have already briefly discussed this above. It’s new and cool, despite its potential negative impact on your business if you are not paying close attention. You can actually use this to your benefit. You can do so by quickly answering questions and ensuring that answers provided by other users are accurate. Since this feature is still in its infancy, it has many ‘imperfections’. For instance, you won’t be able to access it on the mobile app. You won’t be able to monitor questions on mobile at all – unless you are using an Android phone. There’s a simple trick that you can use when you’re on Android: simply log into your Google Maps app to manage the Q&A.
Google Business Profile Reviews
Google encourages businesses to ask customers for online reviews. If your business has good reviews, it will of course stand out among the rest of the businesses. Reviews will also have an impact on your rankings, trustworthiness and click-through rates. As long as you follow the guidelines set by Google, you can ask for client reviews through your listing. Violating Google’s policies could lead to Google removing all of your reviews though. One thing to keep in mind – whatever the feedback customers leave you, make sure to respond. Yes, that includes negative reviews!
Optimizing your Google Business Profile listing might seem tedious at first, but eventually, your business could flourish because of it!
