Google is the world’s most-visited website and holds the most significant percentage of the search engine market share. As a result, creating a Google Business Profile is vital to attract new customers through Google search and Maps.
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free business that allows you to provide details and photos of your business, including your location, services, and products.
You can create a business profile for FREE to increase your visibility across Google services, including Search, Maps, and Shopping.
Creating a profile is straightforward and can be done at no cost to your business. Optimizing it and keeping all your information current will benefit your business for SEO ranking and local searches.
SEO Ranking and Your Google Business
An optimized and complete listing can single-handedly improve your business’s local SEO ranking. Some tips for a better local rating that many overlook include making sure your business is appropriately categorized and identifying a secondary category if needed/relevant.
Since Profile listings are designed for any mobile device, it will maximize your mobile SEO. Since most Google users engage in searches and maps on their mobile devices, your business will benefit from traffic driven through your GBP.
Your GBP increases your local SEO ranking by engaging customers through posts and reviews. Using strategic keywords and links increases customer clicks (CTR) to specific pages of your website. Every click and engagement increases traffic, which boosts local SEO ranking.
Searches and Your Google Business Profile
Google is often the first place your customers search for your business and answer questions they have before contacting you. As a result, keeping your Google Business Profile updated with your latest business hours and any other relevant information helps you get found.
The GBP panel lets you update your business hours, closures, or notices so search results are accurate. Communicating any scheduling or operating changes to your audience is simple with GBP.
A recent Google report also found that 60% of smartphone users contacted businesses directly through the GBP search results using the “click to call” option.
Google determines local search ranking based on three factors:
Relevance
Relevance determines how well your business fits the search intent of the customer.
Distance
Proximity is a well-known factor for ranking local businesses. Google uses what’s known about the searcher’s location to present the most relevant local businesses.
Prominence
Prominence is all about the activity around your listing. This could be the number of reviews, events, local content, etc. It also helps to have loads of quality links to your site.
Maps and Your Google Business Profile
Your profile integrates with Google Maps, making it easier to find your business on the most widely used mobile map.
Your GBP listing shows searchers where and how to visit your business. A local business listing is more likely to appear when people search for a nearby business using Google Maps.
In summation, to get the most out of your Google Business Profile and rank well, you must have your site in order by optimizing it.
- Create and post local content for your chosen keyword and business location and get quality local backlinks to build a solid link profile.
- Ask customers to review your business on your GBP and engage with customers.
- Keep your listing active and attractive with up-to-date information, photos, and reviews to stay in good standing and ease of access to be found by new local customers.