Most people think of SEO is all about their website optimization. While building a quality website is important, so are off-site settings, such as optimizing your
Google Business Profile for search.
If you don’t have a
Google Business Profile, then the first step is to create a Google account and set up your business profile. The Profile listing is Free and will greatly improve your business’s chance of showing up in Google searches.
Google Business Profile Basic Setup
If you’re starting your Profile, provide the following core information: Business Name, Business Category, Description, Opening Date, Contact Phone Number, Website, Location, and Business Hours. If you’re using your home as your business address, you can choose not to display your address to customers.
Under Photos, upload your business logo and a cover image that relates to your business. Google has requirements for these graphics, so read about the
photo requirements in advance.
Google will verify your account before it shows up in Google searches. If you encounter any issues with verification, please reach out to us for assistance. We'd be happy to help.
Optimize Your Google My Business Profile
Once you’ve completed the core information (business name, address, phone number, etc.) it’s time to optimize your Profile for searches. This will take some time, but it is worth the effort.
1. Your Business Description
How you describe your business plays a pivotal role in how potential clients/customers decide to contact your business or not, so craft a compelling description. The Business Description
can be up to 750 characters and should include keywords that potential clients/customers would use to find a business like yours.
The Description area can consist of:
- A paragraph about your services/products
- What makes your business unique in the market
- How long have you been in business or the history of the company.
- Any information your client/customer would find helpful.
Pro Tip: If you’re not comfortable writing the description, submit a rough draft of your business description to ChapGPT or other AI software for enhancing your content.
Pro Tip: Research your competitors and identify 3-4 keywords they are using for their business to come up in searches. Incorporate 2-4 of those keywords, or your keywords, in your profile description.
For instance, a contractor who builds homes may use the following keywords: Homebuilder, custom homebuilder, (state) home builder, or general contractor.
2. List Your Services
This should seem obvious, but it's amazing how little attention is given to the Services section. If you’re a home builder or home remodeling company, for instance, list each type of service you provide, like kitchen remodeling, custom home building, etc. With each service, complete the Price field (No Price, Free, Fixed, Start From) and write a description of the service using a keyword or two – up to 300 characters.
3. List Your Products
If your business sells physical or digital products, list them in this area, like kitchen cabinetry lines. Products might include specific brands that you are authorized to sell or offer. For instance, an Electrician may install Generac generators and want to list this product as an authorized installation company. Products could also be bundled services, like related marketing services could be sold as a single product, or a generator installation could include the product, installation, and an extended warranty.
The Products section includes the Product Name, Product Category, Price (optional), Description (up to 1,000 characters), Link to a website page, and Photo.
Pro Tip: Services and Products are important sections in your Profile, so plan to spend time on these sections. Focus on your core Services and Products initially, then add to these sections a little each week until complete.
4. Create Q&A Section
If you have clients/customers who ask the same questions frequently when engaging with your business, these types of questions are perfect for the Q&A section of your profile.
First, submit a Question. Then provide an answer to the question. Yes, your business will show up as the company that asked and answered the question, which is fine.
We recommend creating five Q&As to start and adding a question/answer each workday. The Q&As could be written in advance and copied into your Profile.
Pro Tip: Write questions that align with questions clients/customers would ask when conducting an online search for businesses like yours. Use a keyword or two in the answers you provide to help with SEO.
5. List Your Offers
If your business has a special promotion, sale, or a product/service you wish to highlight, complete the Offer section. It can also be used for products, reservations, and more.
This section could be used as a lead generation tool to attract new clients/customers who are directed to your website/landing page for more information and a contact form. From your Profile, go to Update, select Offer, then provide relevant information about your offer, including start and expiry date, terms, coupon code, and link to redeem the Offer.
6. List Your Event
Most of us are familiar with Facebook events, but did you know that Google also has an Event section? From the Profile, go to Update and select Event to list your event. Again, use a keyword or two in the Description, create a start and end date/time, a button for next steps, and an image.
7. Post New Content Regularly
Use your Google Business Profile like another social media channel by posting quality content 2-3 times per week. Content can include photos, videos, articles, project profiles, and more. If you’re logged into your account, go to Update, complete the Description field (up to 500 characters), add an image or video, and choose a Button to encourage clients/customers to take the next step.
Pro Tip: Your activity on multiple social media channels can impact your Google Business Profile ranking. Be active on at least two other social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.
8. Request Reviews
We all know that Reviews are important. While you can grab your reviews link from your Profile and forward it to a client/customer, we recommend using an automated tool because it’s easier for you to use and delivers a better experience for clients/customers. A QR code is also available for displaying at the business, on printed marketing pieces, or using on a website, etc.
If you want to learn how to get great reviews from clients, check out our Article on
How to Get Raving Reviews from Clients.
Ongoing Management for Results
If you manage your Google Business Profile regularly, it will increase activity on your website and traffic to your business. Once your Profile is set up, products/services are listed, and you have started posting, it’s vital to create a
maintenance schedule so that real results can be realized.
We suggest the following:
Weekly Activity
1. Post Updates 2-3 times per week and include quality descriptions, photos, and videos.
2. Create a new Question and Answer each week until you have 20+ Q&A that align with the questions potential clients would ask. Maybe turn this effort into a company-wide contest with a prize for the best new Q&A.
3. Email or text review requests to clients at least once per week. It’s recommended that a review request be sent when the client is most excited about your product or service.
Ongoing Marketing Campaigns
4. Schedule and create Offers as part of a marketing campaign. If you have weekly or monthly offers, make sure to schedule Offers as part of your marketing processes.
5. Like Offers, an Event is part of a bigger marketing campaign, so include it.
Monthly Activity
6. Review or update your Services and Products each month to ensure this information is accurate and add new products or services.
7. Finally, track Profile activity, referrals to your website, inbound calls generated, etc., so you know what’s working and can identify areas for improvement. This step is usually part of a bigger SEO strategy and reporting.
Have Questions or Need Help?
If you are feeling overwhelmed by all these steps, are experiencing verification problems, or just have questions, feel free to reach out to us at
design@gcmd.agency, visit our website at
www.GCMD.Agnecy, or call us at
207-464-0016.
