Google My Business: Why It Matters for Your Business and How to Optimize It

Are you looking for ways to increase your business’s visibility online? If so, optimizing your Google My Business listing is a great place to start.

Google My Business (GMB), now renamed as Google Business Profile, is an essential tool for businesses looking to increase their online presence. It allows businesses to manage their presence on Google Search, Maps, and other Google services. In this post, we will discuss why optimizing your Google My Business listing is important for your business and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do so. 

At Redstitch Digital, we specialize in helping businesses like yours optimize Google My Business listings. By following our guidance, you will be able to ensure that your business is seen in the right places online, increasing its visibility and helping you reach new customers.

An Introduction to Google My Business

Google My Business listings

If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or even a large company, it’s time to get familiar with Google My Business. This free service from Google allows you to create and manage your business listing which will show up in Google Search results, Google Maps and Google+ Business pages. It’s also a great way to build trust with your customers, as it allows them to see reviews of what you offer and find contact information easily.

Google My Business is an invaluable tool for any business small or large looking to make its presence known online. It puts your business front and center when potential customers are searching for what you have to offer. With more people turning to the internet for their shopping needs, having a well-optimized listing can make all the difference when it comes to gaining new customers.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why having a Google My Business account matters for your business and how to optimize it so that you can get the most out of it. 

Benefits of Optimizing Your Google My Business Listings

Benefits of Optimizing your GMB page

When it comes to promoting your business online, optimizing your Google My Business listings is essential. An optimized Google My Business listing has numerous benefits for a business.

Provides Accurate Business Information

Your GMB profile includes important business information such as your address, phone number, website, business hours, and customer reviews. This information helps potential customers find and contact your business. Transparent information provided by your Google My Business page tells customers what to expect when they engage with your business.

Builds Credibility

Having accurate Google My Business listings not only makes it easier for customers to find the information they need, but also helps build credibility for your business. Having accurate information and reviews can encourage customers to check out your business. It also helps build trust, making customers feel more confident in your business and the services you offer. The more reviews you have and the higher average rating your GMB has, the more likely a customer is to choose you over a competitor.

Increases Your Visibility Online

When someone searches for your business on Google, your Google Business Profile will appear on the right-hand side of the search results, providing valuable information about your business. The more optimized your profile is, the higher the chances of you ranking above competitors are.

Boosts Your Local SEO

In addition, optimizing your Google My Business listing can help you reach more local customers. By including specific and appropriate keywords in your listing – such as “café” or “ dentist near me”. – potential customers will be able to find you when they’re searching for businesses like yours in their area.

This can be invaluable for businesses looking to target their marketing efforts in a particular geographical area. With this simple step, you can increase visibility for your business and even attract more local customers with targeted keyword searches!

How to Add Your Business to Google My Business

Adding your business to Google My Business is a great way to increase your visibility and reach potential customers at the right time. It also allows you to manage how customers interact with your business online. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create A Google Account

First, you will need to create a Google account. To do this, go to https://accounts.google.com/SignUp and enter the required information. Once you have created your account, you can move on to the next step: creating your business.

2. Create A Business Profile

To create a new business on GMB, go to https://www.google.com/business/ and select “Create a Business Profile” from the menu bar at the top of the page. 

Enter Business Name

Enter the name of your business in the field provided. If your business name is already listed, select it from the list. If it’s not listed, click “Add your business to Google.”

Provide Business Address

Enter your business address in the field provided. If you don’t have a physical location, you can still create a GMB profile by selecting “Yes” when asked if you serve customers outside your location.

Select Business Category

Select the most relevant business category from the list of options. This will help Google show your business to the right audience when they perform a related search.

Add Your Business Information

Enter your business phone number and website in the fields provided. This information will help customers find and contact your business.

Get Verified

Google will ask you to verify your business by mail, phone, or email. Choose the verification method that works best for you and follow the instructions provided.

3. Start Optimizing

You can start by making sure your business information is consistent across your website, facebook, Google Business Profile and any other online sources. 

It is also important to include keywords in your descriptions and titles. This is a great way to ensure that potential customers are able to find you when they search for businesses like yours. For example, if you own a restaurant in Chicago, you could use keywords like “Chicago restaurant” or “Italian food in Chicago” in your description.

You can also use this platform to respond directly to customer reviews or questions posted on your page to provide better customer service and build relationships with customers online.

Overall, setting up a Google My Business page is an important part of managing how customers interact with your business online and increasing visibility for potential customers. With just a few simple steps, you can get started today.

How to Add a New Location to Google My Business

Do you have multiple locations for your business? If so, it’s important to make sure each one is properly represented on Google My Business. If you’re expanding or moving, it’s important to update your Google My Business page to ensure that potential customers can find accurate information about each location. Here is how you can do this.

Adding a second location to Google My Business is just as easy as adding the first. It’s the perfect way to expand your business and reach more customers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Log into your GMB account and select the “Add a Location” option.
  2. Enter the necessary information about your new location, such as address and contact info.
  3. Verify your location via phone, email, or postcard.
  4. Once you’ve verified your location, start adding photos, videos, and other information about your business.

That’s it! You’re now ready to start managing two locations with Google My Business — one step closer to reaching more customers and expanding your business!

What Are Attributes in Google My Business?

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Google My Business listing, it’s important to understand what attributes are and how they can help you. Attributes can be defined as certain characteristics of your business that customers need to know in order to make an informed decision. This can include things like the type of business, services offered, payment methods accepted, and more.

Attributes can also be used to highlight unique features of your business that customers may not be aware of. For example, if you offer special discounts or loyalty programs, you can use attributes to make sure customers know about them quickly and easily. Additionally, if you have any certifications or awards that set your business apart from others in the same industry, attributes can help showcase those too!

Overall, having an up-to-date list of attributes in your Google My Business listing is essential for providing customers with all the information they need to make an informed decision about whether or not to patronize your business. Not only does it give potential customers a better understanding of what you offer, but it also helps them find the most relevant information quickly and easily. So make sure to keep your attributes up-to-date so customers can get the best experience possible when interacting with your business!

Tips for Optimizing Your Google My Business Listings

There are several steps that you can take to ensure that your business’s Google My Business listing is optimized. 

1. Update Information

Keep information on your GMB up to date

First, make sure all of your information is accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, adding relevant keywords to the description can help your business show up in local search results for those terms.

2. Add Photos

Photos help potential customers get a visual representation of your business. Add high-quality photos of your business, products, and services. Ensure the photos are relevant, clear, and well-lit.

3. Post Updates

Use the GMB dashboard to post updates, special offers, or events. This will keep your profile fresh and engaging for visitors.

4. Encourage Reviews

Ask for reviews and respond to reviews on your GMB

You should share your review link to past and present customers and request reviews. Google takes the number of reviews you have into consideration when ranking GMB profiles.

It is also important to respond to reviews from customers. Doing so can help you manage your online reputation and build trust with potential customers. Adding photos to your business’s Google My Business page can help potential customers get a better understanding of your business and what you have to offer. 

5. Monitor Performance

Lastly, you should monitor your business’s performance on Google My Business by regularly checking how your listing appears in search results for relevant keywords. This will help you make sure that your listing is performing as expected and identify any areas where it can be improved. By following these tips, you’ll ensure that your Google My Business listings are optimized properly.

Conclusion

Google My Business is an incredibly powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. It allows you to simultaneously manage multiple locations and gain visibility for your business. To get started, adding your business to Google My Business is the first step. From there, you can add a new location, add multiple locations, and add your business to the Google Search Engine. Following these steps and using the tips provided will help ensure that you are maximizing the potential of your Google My Business listing.

At Redstitch, we understand the importance of optimizing your Google My Business listings and are here to help. Our team has the knowledge and experience to help you make sure that all of your information is accurate and up-to-date so that you can maximize the potential of your business. We are committed to helping clients dominate Google organically, locally, and through paid ads. 

Picture of Written By: Caitlyn Kirchoff

Written By: Caitlyn Kirchoff

Caitlyn is a Digital Marketing Strategist with a reputable track record at Redstitch Digital. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and focused her major on Marketing. She has also gained certifications from Google Ads and Analytics. Caitlyn has technical skills working with PPC and SEO. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friend and family, the outdoors, pickle ball, and local community events.

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