Article Contents
Why is a Google My Business Profile Important?
A Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is essential for any business (especially location-based businesses) aiming to be visible in local search results. A complete and optimized profile increases your chances of appearing in the map pack, which can significantly increase traffic to your site and physical location. Research shows that businesses with a fully optimized profile are 70% more likely to attract local customers and 50% more likely to convert those inquiries into sales.
How to Claim Your GBP
Claiming your profile ensures you have control over how your business appears on Google.
Here’s how to do it:
- Visit Google My Business.
- Click “Manage now” and sign in with your Google Account.
- Search for your business name.
- Select the correct business and follow the prompts to claim and verify your profile.
Getting Stated With Your GBP
Once your profile is claimed, focus on the following initial steps to make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date.:
- Choose the right business type and category: For DropDesk Hosts, selecting the correct business type (storefront or service area) and category (e.g., “coworking space”) is crucial.
- Accurate business hours: Include both regular and holiday hours to help potential customers know when you’re open.
- Add professional photos: Listings with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions and 35% more website clicks.
- Add your website and contact information: Always link to your website (preferably a dedicated page for your location + service).
Key Ranking Factors for Google My Business
- Complete and Verify Google Business Profile: Ensure your profile is fully completed and verified by Google. Incomplete or unverified profiles are less likely to appear in searches.
- Google Business Profile Categories: Select the most relevant primary and secondary categories for your business. For DropDesk Hosts, list your service; for example: “coworking space” or “shared office space” could be ideal.
- Keywords in Business Profile: While not a major ranking factor, incorporating relevant keywords in your business description can still be beneficial.
- Service Area Configuration: If you serve multiple locations or regions, setting your service area in GMB helps Google understand your geographic coverage.
- Proximity to Searcher: Google often favors businesses closer to the searcher’s location. You can’t control this factor.
- Backlinks from Other Websites: While acquiring backlinks from reputable websites can boost your visibility, unfortunately, links can be time-consuming to obtain.
- Consistent Citations: Ensure your business information (name, address, phone number) is consistent across all online directories. This helps build trust with search engines.
- Internal Links within Your Website: Use internal linking to point to important pages on your website. This helps search engines understand your site’s structure.
- Positive Google Reviews: Customer reviews heavily influence rankings. Aim to consistently gather positive reviews and respond to them to build trust.
- Quantity and Quality of Reviews: Both the number of reviews and their quality matter, with an emphasis on quality. Encourage customers to leave detailed, positive feedback.
- Keywords in Business Name: Although it’s not recommended to stuff keywords into your business name, including relevant keywords can offer a slight ranking advantage (as long as it’s actually in your Business name or tagline..
- Physical Location Proximity to City Center: Businesses closer to the city center may rank higher, but this is not a major ranking factor.
- Geotagging Images: While geotagging images no longer directly impacts rankings, it helps Google understand where your business operates.
- Social Signals: Engagement on social media doesn’t directly influence rankings but can increase brand awareness and customer engagement.
How To Earn (and Manage) Customer Reviews
Reviews are one of the most critical ranking factors in local SEO. Positive reviews not only help with rankings but also build trust with potential customers. High-quality, detailed reviews show Google that your business is reputable, making it more likely to rank you higher.
How to Get Reviews
- Ask after a positive experience: The best time to ask for a review is when customers express satisfaction.
- Ask after a period of time: Customers who have been around for the longest can serve as some of your best and most vocal advocates.
- Use tools to manage reviews: Create workflows or leverage reputation management platforms that allow you to request, help resolve, and respond to reviews efficiently.
- Respond to reviews: Engage with customers by responding to both positive and negative reviews. This shows that you care about their experience..
Local SEO Tips
Local Keyword Research
Understanding how local customers search for businesses like yours is key to effective local SEO. Identifying relevant local keywords ensures that your business appears when users search for services similar to yours in your area.
Create Dedicated Service Pages
If your business offers multiple services or has several locations, create a dedicated landing page for each. These pages should include:
- Relevant keywords: Include the primary service and location in your page title and content.
- City name in content: Including your city name in the website’s content can boost your visibility in local searches.
Get Citations
Local citations are mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites. Consistent and accurate citations help Google verify your business’s location and trustworthiness.
How to Build Citations
- Use platforms that syndicate content: The DropDesk CRM helps distribute your business info to multiple directories.
- List your business in relevant directories like coworking, event space, and other aggregators. This can help attract potential customers who may not be searching on Google.
- Check competitor citations: Research where your competitors are listed and aim to get your business listed on those same directories.
Internal Links
Internal linking is a crucial part of website optimization (technical SEO). Make sure to link from your homepage to your most important service pages. Internal links between relevant pages help pass authority from top pages and help boost the rankings of other subpages. The anchor text of the links also helps Google understand your page correlation/relevance better.
Promote Your Business Beyond Google
Social Media Engagement
While social signals don’t directly affect rankings, they can increase brand awareness. Share customer reviews, photos, and updates on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to attract more attention to your business.
Blog for Visibility & Awareness
Create content that speaks to your target audience. Blogging about solution benefits, productivity tips, or local experiences can draw potential customers and improve your SEO rankings.
Conclusion
To improve your local SEO and increase visibility in Google’s Map Pack, focus on the key ranking factors outlined above. By fully optimizing your Google Business Profile, generating high-quality reviews, and building a strong online presence, DropDesk Hosts can attract more local customers and grow their businesses.
