Learn about the fundamental Google Business Profile strategies and what you need to stay ahead of the competition in 2022.
Chapters:
0:00 Start
0:59 Profile Verification
1:39 Business Name Strategy
3:22 Pick The Best Categories
4:27 Local Justifications
5:02 Add Relevant Service Areas
6:30 Phone Number Strategy
7:32 Business Website
8:29 GBP Services
9:14 GBP Products
9:39 Photos & Videos
10:31 Review Strategy
12:21 GBP Posts Strategy
1. Make Sure You Qualify For A Listing
The very first step on your GBP Checklist is to make sure you qualify for a local listing on Google. Not every business qualifies for Google Business Profile listings. The long story short is that you usually need a physical location for your company in order to verify your business on Google Business Profile.
2. Verify Your Business's Information
One of the next steps when setting up a profile is the Google Business Profile verification.
Verification means that you sign-off with Google that this is indeed your business.
Verification methods include mail, email, phone number. You can also use the Search Console to verify if you already have a website. Verification via postcard is the most common method to verify your business. You will need a physical location where Google can send the verification letter to.
3. Add Your Business Name
This is one of the most important steps on your Google Business Profile checklist. After the verification process has been finished and youâre ready to start with Google Business Profile it´s time to think about your business name. Itâs essential to add your companyâs name as it appears in real life. Donât try to get creative and type in âCindyâs hair salon â the best haircuts EVER.â
Thatâll get you kicked from Google Business Profile, meaning this has potential to get your listing suspended. Google usually doesnât do that manually but the algorithm can detect suspicious activity such as keyword stuffing.
4. Pick The Best Categories To Describe Your Business
This is one of the most important points on your Google Business Profile Optimization Checklist.
Google Business Profile lets you pick one primary category and up to nine secondary categories. The idea is to state in the simplest terms of your businessâs industry. You should pick the best Google Business Profile category to describe your business. The primary category directly affects what youâll rank for on local search.
5. Accurately Specify Your Business Location
Only tick this box on your Google Business Profile checklist if you service your customers at your location or you run a hybrid model that includes both, a service area business and a physical storefront business. Service area businesses donât need an address as they serve their customers at their location. (ref. #6) Donât use a general location for your business. Remember to use the full mailing address, even if it doesnât look too appealing to the eye. Customers need to find you and most of the time theyâre quite lazy to search for anything. (We are all customers at some point, arenât we? đ )
6. Pinpoint Your Service Areas
Every business is unique, so you may only provide services at your customers´ locations. A lawn maintenance and landscaping company is one example.
Independent contractors most often run into this problem. You provide services in person but not necessarily in one location.
In this case, itâs better to add a service area and not a direct address. Google doesnât want your customers to show up at a location where they canât use your service. Service areas have a direct impact on your customers´experience.
7. Include Your Website
You really want to tick this box on your GBP optimization checklist.
If you donât have a website, get one.
Google takes into account all sorts of factors to choose the best outcomes for SERPs. Operating a website for your business can benefit your reputation in ways you canât anticipate. The website is one of the biggest ranking factors on local search.
8. Take High-Resolution Photos And Videos
First impressions are everything in business.
Uploading high-resolution photos and videos show Google that you care about your business and know how to attract people.
9. Pay Attention To Reviews
The SEO power of reviews is certainly neglectable as a bunch of other factors outperforms reviews. That´s a big surprise, isnât it? However, the major rankings factors proximity and relevance are bigger than prominence which reviews are a part of.
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