Much like utilizing search engine optimization, or SEO, on your company’s website, optimizing your Google My Business listing is a vital step to improve your online presence and increase traffic to your business.
Consumers are increasingly relying on search engines like Google to gain quick access to information they need, including information about local businesses.
Creating and optimizing a Google My Business listing will allow your company to appear earlier in your customers’ search results, providing them with instant access to the information they need about your business, such as your location or hours of operation.
Google My Business Optimization Helps to Keep You Connected
Connectivity is king, and using a Google My Business listing will keep you connected with existing and potential customers.
Without attention to detail, your business’ search result listing can appear lackluster. With Google My Business optimization, your listing can present your company in a more professional light by listing your business address as well as a customer feedback rating.
If a customer can see proof of your established good reputation, they will be more likely to be interested in patronizing your business and recommending it to others.
Get Your Business Displayed on Google Maps
While good SEO content primarily helps drive traffic to your business’ website, Google My Business helps drive traffic to your actual business location. One way that it encourages foot traffic is by displaying the location of your business on Google Maps.
That way, when a customer searches for nearby businesses, yours will be included on the list if it falls within the customer’s search criteria. While fully optimizing your listing drastically improves your business’ image, inclusion on Google Maps alone merits the creation of a Google My Business listing.
Increase the Odds of Appearing in the Top Search Results
At the top of Google’s search results for location-based searches, there will generally be a list of three selected advertisements, all with associated displays on a Google minimap.
These results appear before the organic search results that Google returns, making them a prime location to advertise your business. While content sewn with SEO keywords can help your website show earlier in search results, these top three ad spots can only be attained by those who have a Google My Business listing.
Instant Feedback
Once you have a Google My Business listing, your customers will be able to leave reviews for your services. After you start to receive reviews, your star-rating will show up in the search results along with your business.
Positive organic customer feedback can verify what your business is doing right, while negative or constructive feedback will help identify things that customers did not find acceptable.
With enough positive reviews, your customers will know to expect great service even before their first interaction at your location. That can increase the reputation that your business has locally and among other similar businesses.
The feedback you receive on your Google My Business listing will also be displayed for other customers and future customers to see, helping them compare your business to the competition.
Ease of Access
People tend to want things quick and simple when it comes to searching for information. With a Google My Business listing, all your business information is consolidated within one easily accessible panel. From your listing, your customers and clients can give your business a call, visit your website, leave a review, check your hours of operation, make a reservation, and more with just a few clicks.
Using Google My Business optimization to organize all your business information makes you accessible to your customers. This newfound accessibility can prevent your customers from giving up on your business.
If the competition’s hours are displayed, but yours aren’t, customers will usually take the easier route and visit the business they know is open for business.
The Biggest Benefit
There are many reasons why it is wise to have your business listed with Google My Business, but the number one reason your company should create and optimize a Google My Business listing is that it’s free. It costs nothing but a moment of your time to launch your business into free exposure on one of the most widely used search engines in the world.
As long as your business provides top-notch service, this exposure will only compound on itself as customers begin to interact with your listing with reviews. That can lead to more clicks to your website where potential customers can learn more about what your business has to offer.
While a Google My Business listing shouldn’t replace other digital marketing tactics, like creating keyword-rich SEO content, the creation of one such listing will be a measurable benefit to your business in any situation.
For more information about how to improve your business’ online presence, you can count on Gauge Digital Media. Give us a call at (410) 376-7709.
