How to Optimize Google My Business Listing for (Generate Sales)

20% of your local optimization efforts will give you 80% of your results.

Wonder how?

With Google My Business.

Google My Business (GMB): A free listing of your company’s operational information, reviews, posts, images, and more.

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Most of the people you would meet; consider GMB as one more place to display business information.

But that’s not true!

If you haven’t used Google My Business to its fullest, you’re leaving money on the table.

If used correctly, Google My Business is such a powerful tool that it can bring you more and more business.

How?

Here it is…

1) Make sure the information is complete and consistent
Don’t let your audience guess or assume about you. Make sure your listing details communicate enough facts. Try to provide all the information that GMB requests.

If you just entered NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on your listing and expect wonders to happen, let me tell you, this is a complete waste of time.

Also,

Make sure the information you entered on the listing is EXACTLY THE SAME as on your website.

Inconsistencies in information will negatively affect your search ranking.

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2) Check your listing (if you haven’t already)
This is the key to unlock all GMB features.

To verify your listing, you will be asked to submit a code that is sent to your business address.

If you expect any business through GMB, it is very important that you verify your business. With so many fake business registrations every day, a user would not prefer to make a purchase from an unverified list.

After verification, you’ll need to keep an eye on the inbox associated with your Google My Business listing for any emails from Google. Google may unverify any listing if Google determines that the account is inactive for a significant period of time.

3) Google My Business descriptions ARE BACK!
Google My Business had descriptions in 2015-2016. Suddenly they disappeared and since then the businesses had no descriptions; which left users assuming your products and services.

Well, the good news is…

Trade descriptions are back!

With Google My Business descriptions, you have the opportunity to describe your business to your audience and explain what makes you different from your competitors.

Google My Business descriptions come with a character limit of 750. So you can get your message across to people while optimizing your listing by using relevant keywords.

Optimize Google My Business

4) Get more and more reviews (and respond to them)
As Neil Patel describes it in one of his articles,

Good reviews = dirty. More good reviews = more sales.

90% of people read reviews before buying because everyone likes a second opinion.

Ask your customers to review your business. But simply collecting reviews will not help. You need to recognize them.

All of them!

The positives, the negatives, the neutrals.

5) Update your business hours and payment options
Make sure your company’s business hours are accurate. Update your work schedule for any special events. Make sure you don’t lose any customers due to incorrect business hours.

Also, please update your listing for any changes to payment options.

Also read: 7 reasons why companies need to invest in SEO 2018

6) Choose the best Google My Business category for your business
Be specific when choosing a category for your business. Consider your specific keywords.

However, be careful. Don’t stuff your listing with keywords.

Remember to be specific. Do not put “Cosmetology” if you run a “Nail Salon.”

7) Images, images and more images
The images speak for themselves!

According to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks to their website and 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps.

Adding photos of your business is a great way to let your customers get a “behind the scenes” look at what your business is all about… And it can go a long way in promoting your business.

People don’t want to see stock footage, they want to see the real face of your business: who you are, what you do, and where you are.

The most important image in your GMB listing that gets the most exposure and has the most impact is your ‘Profile Picture’.

However, the cover image is also of the utmost importance as it is displayed front and center of your ad. You can also add other images depending on the business you operate; this may include images of the interior and exterior of the company, goods and/or services of your company, your staff or employees or any other image that may summarize or describe your company.

8) Google My Business Videos
You can also add videos. Videos must be:

30 seconds or less
100MB or less
Resolution of 720p or higher
Unlike images, videos are not ‘must haves’. However, adding one will make you stand out among other businesses.

Creating a video will not require any additional equipment or any video editing software. Just pick up your smartphone; take, save and share the video. This video must be taken at your location. All commercials or advertising videos will be removed.

9) Add posts to share business updates
Google launched its ‘POST’ feature on all businesses in 2017. With this feature, you can post updates and offers to your listing. You can announce the latest offers, share updates on new products/services or any special events for free.

Google Posts allows you to add text, photos, gifs, and even call-to-action buttons like ‘Buy’, ‘Sign Up’, ‘Learn More’, ‘Get Offer’, ‘Book’, etc.

You can create posts only after you have verified your Google My Business account.

However, Google My Business posts disappear after seven days unless you set a shorter time period. Therefore, be time specific as you craft your post.

Conclusion:
Google My Business presents your business information to potential customers. It gives you the opportunity to interact with your customers.

Not optimizing your Google My Business listing is like not opening the door to a customer who comes knocking on your door.

It’s an opportunity!

Local SEO takes time, but it can pay you big. On top of everything, it’s FREE!

If you need help with your local SEO or want to optimize your Google My Business listing, you can contact us.