{"id":9463,"date":"2020-07-31T08:01:11","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T08:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.milesweb.co.uk\/blog\/?p=9463"},"modified":"2022-01-24T11:55:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T11:55:01","slug":"secrets-to-optimize-google-my-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.milesweb.co.uk\/blog\/seo\/secrets-to-optimize-google-my-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Secrets to optimize Google My Business for Local SEO"},"content":{"rendered":"

To get traffic on your business website you need to optimize the Google My Business to its full strength. It is your gateway to convert a brick and mortar store into an online business or to directly start an online one. You must be thinking that Google My Business has been in the market for long, then why are we discussing about it now. This is because the tool has gained tremendous importance during this COVD 19 pandemic. It helps to rank your business locally. So, when people near you search for something that you offer, Google shows them your information, and most of the time, this leads to sales.<\/p>\n

Search Engine Land has declared that about 78% of local business searches lead to a purchase from online stores<\/em><\/mark>. These are the people interested in your business and you need to attract them.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t submitted your business page or haven\u2019t optimized it, then it\u2019s the best time to do so.<\/p>\n

Did you know, it is estimated that Google processesaround 70,000 searches query every second<\/em><\/mark>, that simply means approximately 5.8 billion searches are made on a daily basis<\/em><\/mark>. So, if you haven\u2019t claimed your my Business page then chances of you getting searched locally are very less i.e. near to zero.<\/p>\n

Importance of local searches \u2013<\/h2>\n

Google My Business helps you to get identified locally, and as per the current survey, it is found that 46% of Google searches look for local information. This is because people want someone that is easy to reach and can be trusted.<\/p>\n

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You might like to know:<\/strong> 5 Secrets of Making Google Love Your Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Let\u2019s take an example – if you crave a burger, and want to try something new from your daily preference, what action do you take?<\/p>\n

You might simply search for a restaurant near you that serves ample varieties of burgers, right?<\/p>\n

So, why do people search for nearby locations?<\/p>\n

It is maybe so that they can reach a particular place easily. Or even order from them and get the delivery faster. The reason can be anything, but the motto is to remain in front of other food providers\/competitors for such customers. Thus, submitting your business on Google helps you a lot with the local SEO.<\/p>\n

What is meant by Google My Business?<\/h2>\n

Google My Business is a free tool that helps local businesses to get listed on search engines and is powered by Google itself. You can use this tool by simply having some sort of face-to-face interaction with your customers. That simply means if you operate 100% online then you can\u2019t really have a Google My Business listing.<\/p>\n

It manages your Google listing that appears when anyone finds businesses on Google search and Maps. When you search for anything locally on Google, then you may see the result like this :<\/p>\n

\"cakes<\/p>\n

So, if you have a cake business in the UK and someone fires a query of \u201ccakes & bakes\u201d (anything related to cake) then Google shows them your business in a result. This can happen only when you claim your business to Google.<\/p>\n

Working of Google My Business<\/h2>\n

Listing of your business is very easy as Google allows you to claim your business and get started immediately. Thus, after submitting your business, when people search for something that you offer, Google shows your website in their search results.<\/p>\n

In addition to listing your services, Google My Business also allows you to add images and gives authority to your customers to leave reviews about your business.<\/p>\n

You can see it also allows you to mention attributes like Website, Directions, etc. to make it easy for potential customers and clients to gain knowledge about your business.<\/p>\n

Importance of Google My Business<\/h2>\n

We all know that Google dominates the search service and especially, the local search.<\/p>\n

We have often heard people saying \u2018let me Google\u2019 or \u2018Google this and find the answer\u2019 and they search for queries on Google over other search engines. That\u2019s the weightage Google held in the searches, which estimates that 70% of all searches happen on Google.<\/p>\n

Any size of business must have Google My Business updated, as research shows that 92% of online buyers like to compare brands online before buying. So, 96% of the listings are seen 25 times per month, which helps you to stay in front of your audience.<\/p>\n

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Related:<\/strong> SEO: How your potential customers find your business on Google? <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Let\u2019s see why it is important to submit Google My Business.<\/h2>\n

According to the stats shared by Kinsta, we can say that 56% of the people who see your Google My Business listing are likely to click through your website, whereas, another 24% will directly call you for enquires.<\/p>\n

That is a lot of scope for businesses to survive in the cut-throat competition during the economically challenged condition.<\/p>\n

This stat simply acknowledges that Google My Business listing can also drive local SEO success for small businesses by guaranteeing the visibility on Google Maps and Google Search for SMEs.<\/p>\n

Setting Up Google My Business<\/h2>\n

So, to get started you will first go through the crucial steps of setting up your Google My Business profile to get listed on Google. Following steps will guide you on how to set up Google My Business profile :<\/p>\n

Step 1:  Official Google My Business<\/h3>\n

Visit the official Google My Business<\/a> page and Sign in.<\/p>\n

If you have already signed-in into your Google account then click on Manage Now<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n

\"GMB<\/p>\n

Always remember to sign-in from the account to which you need to get associated with Google My Business listing you are creating.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Finding Business Or Creating New Listing<\/h3>\n

To claim your business, first, you can search for the name of your business or click on add a new listing.<\/p>\n

If you are sure that you are doing it for the first time then it\u2019s very uncommon to already have your business listed. If anything of this sort happens then you can see your business gets displayed, and if it doesn\u2019t then click on Add your business to Google<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Step 3:  Setup Name<\/h3>\n

It is time to add your business name.<\/p>\n

Mention your business name under \u2018What is your business?\u2019<\/strong> section and click on Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Step 4: Select Category<\/h3>\n

Select a category that best describes your business on Google My Business.<\/p>\n

This is an important step to get appeared on Google results page, so make the selection carefully.<\/p>\n

Google My Business allows you to set primary and secondary categories.<\/p>\n

Under the category for \u2018Business\u2019<\/strong>, type what your business offers, and Google My Business will show you some auto-generated suggestions.<\/p>\n

\"GMB<\/p>\n

Step 5: Setup Business Address<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Set up the business address that gets incorporated with your listing.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

You need to select any one option :<\/p>\n

(1) Yes: Brick and Mortar Business Listing<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is to set up a listing for your physical business so the location needs to be mentioned here ;<\/p>\n

\"address<\/p>\n

(2) No: Service Area Business Listing<\/strong><\/p>\n

In case you don\u2019t have a physical business but still serve customers in any area, then mention that location here;<\/p>\n

\"GMB<\/p>\n

You are allowed to search for your area or use it from the suggested options.<\/p>\n

Step 6: Add Contact Details<\/h3>\n

Contact details are a must as it the best way for clients and customers to get in touch with you. You can add phone and website details here, as it will drive potential customers to your website which helps in conversion. Similarly, adding a phone number gives a direct point of contact to your audience.<\/p>\n

Step 7: Verify Your Listing<\/h3>\n

After filling all the relevant information in Google My Business, you can submit your listing.<\/p>\n

Make sure to Verify your listing<\/strong>, in order to get appeared on search results by Google My Business.<\/p>\n

This might take a couple of days for approval. Meanwhile, you can optimize your listing while you are waiting.<\/p>\n

Google will send you a postcard with a verification code on it to get your listing verified.<\/p>\n

\"GMB<\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>Secret Tips to optimize Google My Business<\/h2>\n

1. Update Listing Information<\/h3>\n

Keeping the listing information up to date is one of the best ways to optimize your Google My Business listing.<\/p>\n

Make sure you always fill the correct information about :<\/p>\n