Why is optimising your google my business important?
Have you ever wondered why some businesses appear first on Google Search and Maps? The secret lies in optimising your Google My Business (GMB) profile. An updated GMB profile makes it easier for Google to connect your business with relevant local searches. This means more people nearby can find and choose your services.
Google highlights three main factors that decide local search rankings: relevance, distance, and prominence. For example, if you own a bakery and someone nearby searches for ‘fresh bread near me,’ Google checks if your bakery’s profile matches the search, how close you are, and how well-known you are online.
Keeping GMB accurate also improves trust. When your listed hours, address, or phone number are correct, customers feel confident visiting or calling. In contrast, outdated details can frustrate users and push them to competitors.
How can you improve relevance on Google My Business?
Relevance is about matching your business to what people search for. How do you do this? Start by using the right keywords. For instance, if you run a gym, include terms like “fitness classes,” “personal training,” and “weight loss programmes” in your business description and services.
Selecting the right business category also helps Google place you correctly. If you own a cafe, choose 'Cafe' rather than just 'Restaurant' to attract the right customers.
Always update your office hours, contact details, and special messages. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses added specific info about safety measures or changes in service hours. Keeping these current ensures customers get clear, relevant info.
Imagine a florist listing seasonal flower arrangements with links to order online. This not only aids relevance but also encourages purchases straight from Google.
How does distance affect your ranking?
Distance is simple: Google tries to show businesses closest to the searcher. If someone searches “plumbers near me” at 3 pm, Google looks at the location of plumbers nearby and ranks them accordingly.
So, make sure your location details are accurate in the GMB dashboard under the Info tab. If you serve a wider area, list all your service locations. For example, a cleaning company serving several towns should add each area to cover more searches.
If your address is incorrect or missing, Google might display your business far away or not at all. This reduces chances of customers visiting your site or shop.
What role does prominence play in local search?
Prominence means how well-known your business is both online and offline. Google measures this using your website’s SEO, reviews, backlinks, and more. For example, a popular restaurant with many positive reviews and news articles usually ranks higher.
How can you build prominence? Start by creating content that helps your audience. Write blogs about how to use your products, post video tutorials on YouTube, or share client success stories on social media. These establish your expertise and attract visitors.
Also, reach out to bloggers or websites in related fields and ask for backlinks to your site. Backlinks act like votes of confidence, boosting your SEO.
Don’t forget technical SEO. A fast-loading website with clear headings and image descriptions helps both users and search engines. For instance, compress images to reduce loading times without losing quality.
Finally, encourage customers to leave honest reviews on your Google page. A high rating and plenty of feedback signal trustworthiness. Remember to respond politely to reviews, even negative ones, to show you care.
More tips for ongoing Google My Business success
Regularly post updates or offers on your GMB profile, like seasonal sales or new services. This keeps your listing fresh. For example, a hair salon could post about a summer haircut discount.
Use Google Posts to share events or announcements. These appear prominently in your business profile, catching the eye of searchers.
Lastly, monitor your listing’s performance using Google My Business Insights. This tool shows how customers find you and which actions they take. Use these insights to improve your strategy continually.
By focusing on relevance, distance, and prominence, you’ll see better rankings, more visitors, and ultimately more customers.
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