SEO (focusing on GMB)

GMB SEO is strategies that will help increase your business's visibility in Google Search and Google Maps local search results. Google My Business is a free tool designed for businesses to handle how they appear on all Google platforms, including visibility and performance in local search results, Google Maps, and the Knowledge Panel.

If any local business wants to feature more on Google Search and Maps, it is a necessity for them to have GMB SEO. Here's how you can make sure that your GMB listing is optimized:

1. Claim and Verify Your Listing

Claim Your Listing: Ensure that you have claimed your business listing on Google My Business.

Verify Your Listing: After claiming it, verify it; this may be through a postcard, phone call, or e-mail.

2. Complete Your Profile

Business Name: Use your real business name; avoid keyword stuffing.

Address and Location: Ensure that the address is correct; use the correct pin location on Google Maps.

Phone Number: Make sure you have a local number to which the area code of the business address matches.

Website: Add your Website URL in your profile, preferably using UTMs to track clicks.

Hours of Operation: Keep hours current, and note any holiday hour or special hours if applicable.

Business Category: Add the most appropriate primary category. Add any secondary categories if applicable.

Services and Products: A facility where all services and products offered are outlined, accompanied by their prices or descriptions of services or products.

3. Keyword Optimization

Business Description: A short and clear description of your business covering all relevant keywords within 750 characters.

Posts: Whether it be updates, offers, events, news, or anything relevant to your audience, one must regularly post them to engage with them using GMB Posts.

4. High-Quality Images

Profile and Cover Photos: Add high-resolution photos that best depict your business.

Additional Photos: Interior, exterior, staff, and product photos are good inclusions. Geotagging images may also help in this regard.

Videos: Attach videos of short lengths related to your business or its products.

5. Get and Respond to Reviews

Get Reviews: Request the satisfied customers to write a review.

Respond to Reviews: Respond to all types of reviews in a professional tone.

6. Q&A Section

Monitor Questions: Manage the Q&A section; it is very essential to answer all the questions. Provide full, detailed, and helpful answers.

Add Your Own Questions: Add FAQs in advance to guide potential customers.

7. Attributes

Business Attributes: Add any other relevant attributes, like "women-led," "wheelchair accessible," or "free Wi-Fi," related to the business.

8. Interact with Users

Messages: This should be on. It gives customers the ability to message you directly from GMB.

Bookings: If applicable for your business, enable services that will let users book directly from your GMB listing.

9. Monitor Insights

Check Insights: GMB insights are to be regularly viewed to know customer activities on the listing, for example, views, search queries, actions.

Adjust Strategy: Refine and adjust the GMB strategy according to these insights to perform better.

10. Keep Info Updated

Consistency: Ensure that business info is consistent across all online platforms.

Regular Updates: Keep refreshing your GMB profile with new information, photos, and posts at regular intervals to prevent it from getting stale.

11. Google My Business API

Advanced Management: If you have multiple locations or want to automate some processes at scale for your business, leverage the Google My Business API for bulk updates and data management.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Google My Business profile is not a one-time deal; it's rather an ongoing process. By updating regularly, posting relevant content, and generally remaining active, you can drive your local SEO to the fullest for improved visibility, more traffic, and increased sales.