Google My Business is a great way to get your foot in the sometimes complicated world of search engine optimisation, but like most things you will only get out of it what you put in.
In the last couple of blog posts, we have looked at the whys and wherefores of creating a Google My Business profile, this week we turn our attention to optimising it for maximum benefits and results.
Although GMB is a free tool and you do not need to invest any cash, you do need to invest a bit of time and effort to make the most of it.
Three Ways to Optimise Your Google My Business profile
1. Download the Google My Business app
Just like any other social media platform you use for your business, your GMB profile should be a living, breathing extension of your brand. To make it quicker and easier to make changes and updates, you can download the app and keep an eye on your profile on the go. You can add pictures, post statuses and respond to reviews.
Missed the previous Google My Business articles?
Over the past couple of weeks I have written blog posts on why you should claim your Google My Business profile and walked you through the steps to setting it up. If you have missed either, or want more tips on marketing your business, explore the rest of Red Shoes Marketing’s Blog.
2. Make the most of Google My Business Reviews
Encourage your customers to visit your GMB profile and leave a review of your products, services or your customer service.
When people have several options to choose from, they will probably whittle down the choice of who to do business with by looking at who has the best reviews.
Research shows that people often make buying decisions based on online reviews and trust them as much as personal recommendations.
Not only that, but the businesses with the most positive reviews get pushed higher up the search rankings.
Of course, you can’t please all of the people all of the time, so remember it’s how you deal with any bad reviews that matters. You can turn these “negatives” into “positives” by dealing with complaints professionally and showing off your superior customer service.
3. Use good, clear photos
Finally, remember the old adage about pictures speaking a thousand words. Make sure the words the photos on your Google My Business profile are saying all the right things about your business.
It’s a fact that photos sell. Google found that businesses with photos received 35 per cent more clicks to their websites and 42 per cent more requests for driving directions than businesses without them.
It is worth considering hiring a professional to get some clean, crisp shots of your shop’s exterior, interior and the product or service you are selling to add to your Google My Business profile to make the right impression. You can also use them on your other social media sites and your website to ensure you get your money’s worth from them.
These are all simple things you can do to optimise your Google My Business profile, but by doing them you will be raising your business head and shoulders above all your competitors who either think that because it’s free that GMB has no value or just haven’t taken the time and put in the effort to make the best of it.
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