Google My Business: The Single Most Important Tool for Your Business

Are you looking for your business to rank higher in Google search results? Then Google My Business is vital for you! Providing accurate and up-to-date information on Google My Business will help you rank higher in relevant local searches and gain new customers.

In this article, we will walk you through setting up your account and share some tips and tricks to ensure that your listing is as effective as possible. But first, let’s discuss what Google My Business is.

 

What is Google My Business?

To sum it up, Google My Business is how you manage what pops up on Google Search and Maps. This is the primary platform you will want to use for your business to populate in relevant local customer searches.

Let’s say you run a dog grooming business. When someone googles “dog groomer near me”, you may or may not be included in the search results based on your information (or lack thereof) in Google My Business. With a completed listing, good photos, and many customer reviews, you will show up in what’s called the local pack. If your information is not as complete as a competitor’s, you might show up further down in the search results, missing out on that new business.

 

Why is Google My Business Important?

While the appearance in search results is the main reason to leverage Google My Business, there are plenty of other benefits to this powerful tool. Having a verified listing allows you to respond to reviews or questions as the business itself, adding yet another layer of credibility. Verified listings also allow direct booking or messaging.

By claiming and verifying your listing through Google My Business, you are giving customers a great experience before they even walk through the door.

 

Setting Up Your Google My Business

Having a claimed and verified listing can help your business stand out against competitors. Watch the video below to learn how to set up your Google My Business account.

 

Remember to optimize your account by filling out all of the information possible. Include details that users might ask and make your verbiage as clear as possible. Be sure to check your account regularly in case users update your listing with incorrect information. Because Google trusts users so highly, users can suggest edits to your listing or answer questions about your business. By checking and updating your account frequently, you are able to ensure your information is always correct.

 

Tips & Tricks to Stand Out

When it comes to Google search results, a picture really is worth a thousand words! Google has found that listings with photos are more likely to receive click-throughs on their websites than those without photos. But images aren’t enough: your business should feature good quality photos that highlight your brand, products, and positive customer experience.

Not sure where to begin? Upload a high-quality cover photo and profile picture. The cover photo shows up in the center of the listing and is most likely the first thing a person’s eye will go to. Your profile photo will appear any time you upload something new or respond to someone’s comments, so a high-resolution logo is a must. From there, you can upload images of the interior, exterior, team, rooms, and more!

Customer reviews are vital to search rankings, the more reviews the better. Ask every customer to review by including a link on your receipts, your email campaigns, or your social media posts. And don’t forget to respond to every review posted, whether good or bad. A simple response to let the reviewer know you value their feedback can go a long way in customer satisfaction and can help with your rankings–that’s what I call a win-win!

Google My Business is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to help customers find your business. By claiming and verifying your listing, optimizing the content as much as possible, and creating opportunities for organic engagement, you can rank higher in search results and use the power of Google to your advantage.