Maximizing Your Google My Business SEO for Local Search Results

Ranking for local search results can be challenging, even for those familiar with search engine optimization (SEO). One of the best ways to improve visibility on Google Search is by creating and maximizing your Google My Business SEO.

Now called Google Business Profile, this free service lets you manage your business appearance on Google Search and Google Maps. By creating a Google My Business (GMB) profile, you can add relevant information like opening hours, contact information, a business description, and photos to make your company’s profile stand out.

What Is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free tool to publish and manage a Google Business Profile across platforms. It lets you add comprehensive company information to improve visibility on local search results, helping customers easily find your business on Google. Keep in mind that a Google My Business profile is not a substitute for a business website. Instead, it allows you to build a stronger online presence that is more easily discoverable on Google Search.

Why Is Google My Business Important for Local SEO?

The first three elements Google shows to answer local search queries are Google Ads, Google 3-Pack, and organic search results. A Google Business Profile helps to boost visibility as it provides rich information about a business. With greater visibility, people are more willing to click on a website, helping the company generate leads and sales.

In addition, an optimized Google Business Profile is more likely to rank higher on local searches. Maximizing your Google My Business SEO will also help you to better engage with potential customers. For example, sharing your contact information and other business details makes it easier for customers to reach out to ask questions or give feedback about your business and its services. Likewise, it helps you respond more quickly to user queries.

Another benefit of Google My Business is it can display customer reviews. Studies show that online reviews hugely influence a customer’s purchasing decision. Therefore, having positive reviews on your listing will increase your business’s appeal and credibility, increasing customers’ trust.

How to Set Up a Google My Business Account

In this section, we’ll cover the steps on how to set up a Google My Business account.

How to Create Google My Business Account

The first step to creating a Google business account is visiting the Google My Business homepage, which is where you can manage your business listing. Start by signing in to your Gmail account. Once signed in, you’ll have the option to add your business to Google.

If your business has been around for quite some time, then Google will most likely already have a listing for it based on the data it collects online. To avoid duplicate listings, type your business name on Google. If one already exists, you can claim the business by requesting ownership. For new businesses, proceed by filling out the relevant details.

How to Verify and Publish Google My Business Listing

To publish your listing, Google requires a verification process to ensure the legitimacy and ownership of your business. For companies with a physical location, the most common verification method is via postcard. Once you enter a mailing address, Google will send the postcard containing a unique code. Then, to confirm the business location, go to your Google Business Profile and enter the five-digit verification code from the postcard.

How to Troubleshoot Google My Business Account Issues

Running into issues while operating a Google My Business account can drag down your local SEO efforts. So, it’s good to know what obstacles to expect as well as how to solve and avoid them.

How to Report a Google My Business Account

Optimizing your business for local SEO takes a lot of work, and seeing a spam listing get a higher position can be discouraging. In that case, knowing how to report a fake Google My Business listing can bring you a step closer to a better search engine ranking.

Determining Google My Business Ranking Factors

When determining local search rankings, Google considers relevance, proximity, and prominence. Relevance refers to how well your business matches customers’ search intent. Proximity refers to the distance between the location mentioned in the search query and potential search results. Prominence refers to how well-known a business is. Monitoring Google Business Profile Insights can help you understand how your listing is performing over time in local results.

Tips for Optimizing GMB Account For Local SEO

To help your listing rank higher in the Google 3-Pack, we recommend following these Google My Business optimization tips:

Keep Your Information Up to Date
Select Primary and Secondary Categories
Add Your Products and Services
Use The Product Catalog
Set Up Messaging
Use Special Attributes
Answer Client Questions
Publish Posts and Photos
Respond to Reviews

Conclusion

As more people discover businesses online, having a Google My Business profile is crucial to improve your company’s visibility on search engines. It helps people easily find your products, contact details, and store location. When setting up your account, be as accurate as possible about your business operations. In addition to creating an account, it’s also important to maximize the available features and follow some Google My Business optimization tips. Doing so improves your chances of appearing on the top of Google Search results and in the Google 3-Pack.

Google My Business SEO FAQ

Here are some common questions about GMB SEO:

Is a Physical Address Required to Rank in the Local Market?
How Do I Know if Someone Else Isn’t Going to Claim My Google Business Listing?
When Can I Edit After My GMB Profile Has Been Reinstated?

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