How to optimize your Google My Business account. You will find the most important and most powerful tips to help with your Google Business Profile in this video. Thanks for watching and ask your questions in the comments below!
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Are you struggling to secure top spots in Google’s local business search results? Fret not, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re talking about how to optimize your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) to rank higher and attract more business your way. You don’t need to be a technical genius to do this – with just a few smart adjustments, you’ll find yourself light years ahead of your competition.
1. Choosing the Right Category
The first step in optimizing your Google Business Profile is choosing the right category. When you log into your account and click on ‘Edit Profile,’ you can edit your ‘Business Information,’ where you’ll find a field for your Primary Category. This should reflect the service that brings in the most revenue for your business.
Before settling on a category, research what your top competitors are ranking for. If you see that all the top-ranking businesses in your locality have “marketing agency” as their category, it might not be wise to use “web design agency” as yours if you’re hoping to rank for marketing agency.
You can also select additional categories. These might not have as substantial an impact on ranking as your primary category, but they help Google understand the full range of services or products you provide.
For a deeper understanding of categories, consider checking out the video above which also includes a list of all Google’s categories.
2. Keyword Optimization
Let’s clear the air – there’s a lot of misinformation circulating about keywords, with many trying to sell you expensive keyword programs. The truth is, you don’t need to conduct in-depth keyword research. Instead, understand the primary term people search for to find your business, and strategically place this keyword in your content to boost your ranking.
Take my website, bigwestmarketing.com, for example. The keyword I wanted to rank for was ‘marketing’, and I’ve placed it in crucial locations such as my business name, page titles, and main headings.
Google favors businesses whose names contain the keywords they wish to rank for. So, if you’re just starting out, consider incorporating a relevant keyword in your business name.
3. Completing Your Profile
A surprising number of businesses have incomplete Google profiles. Google prefers profiles that provide comprehensive information about the business.
To ensure your listing is complete, navigate to ‘Edit Profile’ in your Google Business account. You want to input all possible details, from your operating hours to products or services you offer. For appointment-based businesses, including a booking link can be beneficial. A logo and a well-designed cover photo are essential, too.
The bottom line is to fill out your profile as completely as possible.
4. Harnessing the Power of Reviews
Google values businesses that consistently receive high-quality reviews. Not only do reviews help with ranking, but they also offer a free form of word-of-mouth advertising.
To decide how many reviews you need, take a cue from your competition. Aim to have more reviews than the top review collector in your area. For practical strategies on garnering reviews, watch this detailed video above which also includes a free template for soliciting reviews through email and text.
5. Regularly Updating Photos
Lastly, regularly updating your photos is essential. But don’t just upload any photos – they should directly relate to your business. Google’s sophisticated AI can determine what’s in an image, so authentic pictures showcasing your products or services can help you rank higher.
In conclusion,
Optimizing your Google Business Profile isn’t rocket science. By following these simple steps, you’re bound to see significant improvements in your local search rankings. If you found this guide helpful, consider subscribing for more cutting-edge information on digital marketing. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below – we’re here to help!
Don’t forget to grab the free cheat sheet that outlines everything we do for our clients when it comes to Google My Business optimization. With 13 years of experience under our belt, this cheat sheet, available at bigwestacademy.com/gmbcheatsheet, is sure to get you to the top of Google.
Once again, my name is Joe Burnich from bigwestacademy.com, and I’ll see you in the next post. Until then, happy optimizing!
