Remember the saga we shared about (eeep!) losing our own Google Business Profile and having to build reviews – fast! – on a brand new listing?
Well, reviews are great… But they’re not the FULL picture. If you really want to put your best foot forward, attract the right customers and get brownie points with the algorithm, you’ll need to put some time and effort into optimising your profile.
Why a Google Business Profile Matters
In case you need reminding, your Google Business Profile is like your virtual storefront. It displays essential information like your location, operating hours, website, and contact details, and it shows up prominently in Google Search and Google Maps results. This listing also boosts your local SEO, making it easier for potential customers to find you when searching for related services or products in your area.
The Benefits of Having a Well-Optimised Google Listing
- Enhanced Visibility: A complete and active Google listing ensures your business appears in local search results, helping you reach nearby customers.
- Credibility and Trust: Businesses with multiple positive reviews stand out as reliable and trustworthy.
- Improved SEO: Google’s algorithms prioritise businesses with up-to-date information and high engagement, including reviews.
- Customer Insights: Reviews and analytics provide valuable feedback to help you refine your offerings.
How to Optimise Your Google Profile
Complete Your Profile
Ensure all fields are filled out, including your business category, description and photos. A complete profile ranks higher in local search results, making it easier for customers to find your business. What’s more, accurate details reassure potential customers that your business is legitimate and reliable.
Keep Information Up to Date
Regularly update operating hours, contact details, and any special announcements. There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer than turning up at your store during advertised hours to find you’re actually closed.
Add Photos and Videos
High-quality images of your business, products, and team humanise your brand and attract more engagement. Authentic visual content grabs attention, encourages users to interact with your profile, and also helps establish credibility and trust.
Use Keywords Wisely
Incorporate relevant keywords into your business description to improve search visibility. Keywords help Google understand what your business offers, making it more likely to appear in search results for relevant queries.
Enable Messaging
Allow customers to message you directly through your listing for quick inquiries. Messaging allows potential customers to directly contact you with questions – making it easier for them to connect with your business – and addressing customer inquiries in real-time can help convert leads into sales by removing barriers to making a purchase or booking a service.
Post Regular Updates
Share events, offers, or news through Google Posts to keep your audience engaged. Frequent updates signal to Google and customers that your business is active, improving your visibility in search results. In addition, engaging posts can spark conversations and reviews, and strengthen your relationship with your audience.
It may sound like a lot of extra work, but it takes less time than you might think to keep your Google Business Profile optimised – and the benefits are worth the investment! By keeping your profile complete, accurate, and regularly updated, you ensure that potential clients can easily find the information they need to choose your business: ultimately leading to more traffic, inquiries, and sales.
Need help getting it sorted? Contact us and we’ll take care of it for you