Your Google Business Profile! First goal in 2024, claiming (or creating), check! You’ve just finished writing down your New Year’s resolutions. Your list is packed with ambitious goals – mastering sourdough baking, finally reading “War and Peace”, and maybe even venturing outside if it’s safe. One should always aspire, after all. But I reckon you’ve left out one goal that will be instrumental to your success in this new year, especially if you’re a business owner. It’s time to claim or create your Google Business Profile!
No need to laugh – mastering Google Business Profile might not be as delicious as sourdough, but it’s infinitely more digestible than Tolstoy. What is a Google Business Profile, you ask? It’s your business page in the Google My Business (GMB) platform. As the name suggests, it allows you to claim or create a profile for your business. You can then add all sorts of information about your company and its services, including photos, videos, an address and phone number (if applicable), hours of operation, and more!
A Brief Intermission for Jokes
Why don’t we let off some steam with a quick joke before we continue?
Why don’t secret agents use SEO?
Because they don’t want to be found!
Anyway, let’s get back to the serious stuff (or as serious as you can be when talking about internet listings).
Optimizing Your Google Business Profile for Local SEO
Optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) can seem as complex as that sourdough starter recipe. But unlike the starter, it doesn’t involve strange-smelling goo in your fridge. Here are some life-saving (or at least, business-saving) tips to enhance your presence on Google and give your rankings a local SEO nourishment:
Complete and Accurate Information
Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are as consistent as the law of gravity across the net. Plus, including your business hours, your website, and other pivotal details helps people know when to drop by for a chat (or potentially buy something).
Make sure you have a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to be functional and accurate. And don’t forget about your social media presences—Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are all great tools for local SEO.
Categories and Assets
One size never fits all (as I’ve learned from my quest to find the perfect fedora). So, choose your business category carefully; it’s just as essential as picking the right hat for your head. Don’t forget those unique assets like “free Wi-Fi” or “outdoor seating.”
These attributes can help you stand out and attract more customers. Make sure your website is mobile friendly. With so many people using smartphones these days, it’s essential to ensure that your site looks good on smaller screens.
High-Quality Photos and Videos
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth infinity, right? Show off your business productively. Plus, your customers will appreciate the authentic view of your business, team, and premises.
As a business owner, you know how important it is to have a strong online presence. Your website may be your number one sales tool, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only tool you need. In fact, there are many other ways to boost your visibility and attract new customers. One of these methods is video marketing.
Encourage and Respond to Reviews
Every business wants a paparazzi’s worth of great reviews. But remember – brushing off poor reviews isn’t as easy as brushing off crumbs from your newly baked sourdough bread. Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews.
If you don’t have time to respond, make sure that your response is automated and can be sent immediately. It’s also important to encourage customers to leave reviews by asking them in the checkout process or on their receipt.
Keep Information Updated
Keep your profile as fresh as your New Year’s resolutions at the start of each year. Update any changes like new hours, temporary closures, or fresh services faster than you can say Google Business Profile.
The more accurate your information, the better. Google will use this to determine how many stars to give you on its platform, which can affect your local ranking.
Engage with the Community
Begin a love affair with your local community. Participation in local events can boost your visibility and credibility. Get involved in your community by volunteering at local events and supporting local businesses. Promote Your Business Online With Google maps, you can get found online! It’s easy to add a review when you want to share the love for your business. Just click “Write a Review” on your Google My Business page.
You can also share your business on Google My Business, which will help you get found online by people searching for a business like yours. Just click “Claim Your Business” from the main menu of your Google My Business dashboard.
Mobile Optimization
If you’re not mobile-friendly in 2024, you’re like a car without wheels. Many local Google searches are done on mobile devices, creating a smoother user experience for your audience. Businesses who are prepared to handle these changes will be the ones that thrive and stand out from the noise. Make sure your business is ready for 2024 by following these tips.
Other Points to Note
Dear reader, pause for another intermission.
Why did the SEO expert walk into a bar, pub, public house, Irish pub, drinks, beer, alcohol?
He was trying to increase his keyword count.
Back to it, then.
Do not forget to use the Q&A feature to answer questions, track and analyze insights, and verify your local citations. These actions perform better in boosting your SEO than a muscleman at a weight lifting contest. Do not forget to highlight your business’s experience and value. This will help you stand out from the competition and attract more customers who are looking for someone like you.
You can do this by adding a short description of your business and what it does, including the value. This will help you create a unique experience for users that is not available elsewhere on the web.
Why Choose Manfred Marketing?
Just as each snowflake is different (don’t try to check, you’ll catch a cold), so is each marketing agency. At Manfred Marketing, we’re as unique as that analogy, it’s as simple as Pythagoras’ theorem, really!
We hold strong beliefs in accountability and education – we don’t just run off with your money and leave you in the dark. We rely on data and research – as we don’t have a magical crystal ball to predict market trends (as entertaining as that would be). We present a cost-effective solution, and our agreements allow for nimble adaptability – we’re as flexible as a yoga instructor. Plus, we stay on the leading edge, always learning and adapting – just like how you’ve adapted to making your own bread during that global yeast shortage.
In Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. Your first business resolution in 2024? Harness the power of Google Business Profile and watch your organic local SEO traffic soar. Keep it informative, engaging, and regularly fresh — just like that sourdough bread you’re going to bake. This year, don’t just resolve to be more efficient. Resolve to be better. And harness the power of Google Business Profile to achieve it.
And remember, search engine optimization isn’t just necessary to succeed, but also necessary to knead… if you’re making bread, that is! In a world where businesses are competing for your attention, it’s important to make sure you have the right tools at your disposal. With Google Business Profile, you can improve your SEO and help customers find what they’re looking for—all while building an online presence that reflects your brand identity.