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

Website design By BotEap.com20% of your local optimization efforts will give you 80% of your results.

Website design By BotEap.comWonder how?

Website design By BotEap.comWith Google My Business.

Website design By BotEap.comGoogle My Business (GMB): A free listing of your company’s operational information, reviews, posts, images, and more.

Website design By BotEap.comgoogle my business

Website design By BotEap.comMost of the people you would meet; consider GMB as one more place to display business information.

Website design By BotEap.comBut that’s not true!

Website design By BotEap.comIf you haven’t used Google My Business to its fullest, you’re leaving money on the table.

Website design By BotEap.comIf used correctly, Google My Business is such a powerful tool that it can bring you more and more business.

Website design By BotEap.comHow?

Website design By BotEap.comHere it is…

Website design By BotEap.com1) 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.

Website design By BotEap.comIf 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.

Website design By BotEap.comAlso,

Website design By BotEap.comMake sure the information you entered on the listing is EXACTLY THE SAME as on your website.

Website design By BotEap.comInconsistencies in information will negatively affect your search ranking.

Website design By BotEap.comgoogle-my-business2

Website design By BotEap.com2) Check your listing (if you haven’t already)
This is the key to unlock all GMB features.

Website design By BotEap.comTo verify your listing, you will be asked to submit a code that is sent to your business address.

Website design By BotEap.comIf 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.

Website design By BotEap.comAfter 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.

Website design By BotEap.com3) 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.

Website design By BotEap.comWell, the good news is…

Website design By BotEap.comTrade descriptions are back!

Website design By BotEap.comWith Google My Business descriptions, you have the opportunity to describe your business to your audience and explain what makes you different from your competitors.

Website design By BotEap.comGoogle 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.

Website design By BotEap.comOptimize Google My Business

Website design By BotEap.com4) Get more and more reviews (and respond to them)
As Neil Patel describes it in one of his articles,

Website design By BotEap.comGood reviews = dirty. More good reviews = more sales.

Website design By BotEap.com90% of people read reviews before buying because everyone likes a second opinion.

Website design By BotEap.comAsk your customers to review your business. But simply collecting reviews will not help. You need to recognize them.

Website design By BotEap.comAll of them!

Website design By BotEap.comThe positives, the negatives, the neutrals.

Website design By BotEap.com5) 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.

Website design By BotEap.comAlso, please update your listing for any changes to payment options.

Website design By BotEap.comAlso read: 7 reasons why companies need to invest in SEO 2018

Website design By BotEap.com6) Choose the best Google My Business category for your business
Be specific when choosing a category for your business. Consider your specific keywords.

Website design By BotEap.comHowever, be careful. Don’t stuff your listing with keywords.

Website design By BotEap.comRemember to be specific. Do not put “Cosmetology” if you run a “Nail Salon.”

Website design By BotEap.com7) Images, images and more images
The images speak for themselves!

Website design By BotEap.comAccording to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks to their website and 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps.

Website design By BotEap.comAdding 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.

Website design By BotEap.comPeople 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.

Website design By BotEap.comThe most important image in your GMB listing that gets the most exposure and has the most impact is your ‘Profile Picture’.

Website design By BotEap.comHowever, 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.

Website design By BotEap.com8) Google My Business Videos
You can also add videos. Videos must be:

Website design By BotEap.com30 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.

Website design By BotEap.comCreating 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.

Website design By BotEap.com9) 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.

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

Website design By BotEap.comYou can create posts only after you have verified your Google My Business account.

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

Website design By BotEap.comConclusion:
Google My Business presents your business information to potential customers. It gives you the opportunity to interact with your customers.

Website design By BotEap.comNot optimizing your Google My Business listing is like not opening the door to a customer who comes knocking on your door.

Website design By BotEap.comIt’s an opportunity!

Website design By BotEap.comLocal SEO takes time, but it can pay you big. On top of everything, it’s FREE!

Website design By BotEap.comIf you need help with your local SEO or want to optimize your Google My Business listing, you can contact us.

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