If you have a business, you want Google to notice it.
Google My Business was initially launched in 2014, and it has come a long way since then. It has revolutionised business listings and made them more accessible, inclusive, and informative for both customers and business owners.
Letting Google know about your business helps with SEO and getting your company noticed, and it is the first step in a successful SEO campaign.
When you meet with one of our team members about SEO and marketing for your business and website, Google My Business is the first port of call. While we fully integrate your business into Google, knowing exactly what goes on empowers you with the knowledge about Google My Business and helps us in the long run.
What is Google My Business?
When you search for a business in Google, several different types of results will appear. The most important is the panel at the side of your screen – that’s Google My Business. Here, you can find your business address, phone number, opening and closing hours, reviews, and other information about your business.
Google My Business is so much more than that one panel, however. The rest of the tool lies in the GMB website, where you can monitor and manage how your business is performing in Google.
You can view insights, set up products, respond to client messages, and see the reviews customers leave concerning your business. New features such as posting allow you to communicate directly with your customers on a large scale and let them know about special offers, events, or other important information.
How Do You Set up Google My Business?
Firstly, you’ll need a Google account. We suggest using a business email address separate from your personal email. Once we have your Google login details, we’ll enter some essential details concerning your business. This includes the business name, address or service areas, phone number, category, phone number and website. This information must be correct and up to date; not only will potential clients see this data, but Google uses some of this information to verify your business. Plus, we use these details as the basis for other information, such as in website directories and SEO purposes.
How Can Google My Business Improve My SEO?
Google My Business allows Google to recognise your business and gather important information about your company to give to potential clients. When typing a business name, or more importantly, keywords relating to that business, Google immediately supplies essential details to the user.
The most important way that Google My Business improves your SEO is through Google Maps or the local pack. If a user types a keyword, followed by ‘near me’, Google will supply three business in the area related to that keyword. Known as the local pack, these websites are at the top of the search results and relate directly to the user’s location and proximity to these businesses. Google prioritises businesses with a GMB profile, and so they have a better chance of appearing in the local pack when a user searches for companies in their area.
This is essential for small or local businesses who predominantly serve clients and customers from a local area, and localised content via Google Maps or Google My Business can improve the number of views, clicks, and clients they receive.
If you own a localised business or are looking to set up your Google My Business and improve your SEO, visit our contact page to give our team a call or set up an appointment today.