If you want to attract any local customer, then appearing on Google My Business is an absolute necessity. Being a free listing resource, this tool is the default go-to source when people look online for businesses in their locality. It offers great opportunities to be seen and will increase foot traffic. Sadly, though, many businesses are not using it to its fullest potential.
As a local search engine optimization firm, Ladera Ranch Marketing has witnessed how robustly optimized Google My Business profiles transform user experiences and drive real results. So, let’s explore some practical tactics for using Google My Business to increase your visibility and engage local clientele.
Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Listing
Own your Google My Business listing: Claim either from your Google account, or verification via phone, email, or postal mail. Update all information such as address, phone, website, and hours to be complete and correct. High-quality photos with a description create some amount of trust at first.
Optimize Your Profile Details
Take a little time to add more listing information such as service area, payment options, and special offers. Google prefers full profiles. Classify your business and use relevant keywords across but avoid stuffing. Be sure to give consistent usage of the business name across profiles so you are well-branded.
Publish Current Hours
Publishing your exact business hours and marking any exceptions prevents disappointments. Customers appreciate knowing your availability without needing to call in advance. You can also use scheduling to automatically block maintenance times.
Use Posts and Photos
Posting new, interesting photos and posts keeps your profile active. Concentrate on new products or services, seasonal offers, community concerns- everything that has a bearing on your customers. Ask for reviews and comment on comments to further develop the connection. Include links to specific web pages if applicable.
Claim and Complete Citations
Citing verifies the business’s information on third-party sources and thus creates credibility in local search results. Claim relevant listings across directories, review sites, and more, and ensure that all the information is synced with your Google profile for consistency.
Ask for Reviews and Respond to Them
Active solicitation of past customers to get reviews habituates people to expect this. Respond promptly with thanks, and handle concerns offline. Your pace and quality of response have a big impact on your overall star rating over time.
Promote Your Listing Everywhere
Put your Google My Business snippet code on all relevant sites and profiles for more backlinks. You may include your listing in business cards, emails, social profiles, and even offline marketing. The more inbox citations you have for your location, the more authoritative your presence will become.
Consistent Optimization is the Key
And far from being a one-time activity: Local SEO does not stop after one month. Refreshing older facts, getting updated about the latest business listing, and maintaining interaction with online users do not end after one month. Every so often, analysis shows new opportunities as well.
If you are targeting local customers, thorough optimization of Google My Business can dramatically benefit you. If done diligently over time, optimizing and promoting your site could give you a dominant digital presence that encourages discoveries, conversions, and word-of-mouth downtown.
Need assistance in strategic or implementation development of your local profile? Let’s know at Ladera Ranch Marketing.
