Claim and Verify Your Profile
Claim your Google Business profile listing if you haven’t already. This is important to verify your business because it makes Google believe your business is authentic and gives more control over what is displayed.
Complete Every Section of Your Profile
An incomplete profile may repel potential customers or make your business less visible. Fill in all sections: your business name, address, phone number, website URL, operating hours, and a detailed description of your business. Use keywords naturally in your description that your customers might look for. For instance, if you have a car repair shop, you might mention services like “car repair,” “oil change,” or “tire replacement.”
Use High-Quality Photos
Add high quality, beautiful pictures of your business, products, and services. For instance, a restaurant can add pictures that contain dishes, interior, seating, and even ambiance photos. Photos not only make your listing appealing but also help customers envision your business before visiting.
Ask and Respond to Reviews
Local search rankings are very much influenced by positive reviews. Politely request satisfied customers to post a review on your Google business profile page. Respond to reviews, good or bad. For instance, when someone compliments the service, say thank you; when someone says something negative about your service, then politely respond and even try to make amends.
You can post updates, offers, or events on your profile at Google. Share some promotions or even announce the start of new services or change any information related to your business to inform customers about it. Suppose you have discounted car washes; then post about that for more customers to come. Keep Your Information Up-to-Date
Ensure your contact details, business hours, and location are accurate. If you’re closed for a holiday or have adjusted hours, update your GBP profile to reflect that. Mismatched information can confuse customers and hurt your local SEO.
Use the Q&A Feature
The Q&A section on your GBP profile enables customers to inquire about a specific question. Preemptively include frequent questions customers ask and the relevant replies in order to guide further decision-making. For example, if you own a bakery, the following would be questions about the presence of vegan or gluten-free options.
Make use of Categories and Attributes
Correct the right categories describing your business, like an automobile repair shop; this can then give it a “primary category,” for example, “Auto Repair,” and more specific categories that would be either “Tire Shop” or “Car Wash.” Attributes include “wheelchair accessible” or “free Wi-Fi,” which further complete your profile.
Integrate Google Maps and Get Backlinks
Embed your Google Maps location on your website to improve local SEO. In addition, focus on getting backlinks from local blogs, directories, and partner businesses to build your online credibility.
Analyze Insights and Optimize
Google Business profile gives insights on how people find your business, what they do, and how often they view your profile. Use that data to adjust your strategies. For example, if you see more clicks on certain posts, you can post similar content.