Getting Started with Google My Business and Local SEO

As the world of digital marketing becomes more and more important, many businesses are forgetting the vital role of local marketing. Marketing to local audiences is incredibly important, especially if you want to establish yourself as an authority in your area. Establishing a solid reputation and gaining a loyal following in your region is key to boosting your business is overall success. Local and digital marketing combine seamlessly through tools like Google My Business and local SEO. Here's everything you'll need to know to get started.

What is Google My Business?

A Google business listing, also known as a Business Profile, helps your company achieve more visibility on Google. However, just because you create a Business Profile doesn’t mean you can actually manage that profile. In order to do so, you must create a Google My Business account.

Google My Business is a helpful tool that lets you optimize your Business Profile. You can include the name of your business, your hours, location, website, category, and more. Customers can also visit your Google My Business page to add reviews and photos. In addition to the resources that you and your customers provide, Google itself can also pull information from across the internet to enhance your profile.

Benefits of Google My Business

Google My Business has tons of benefits for businesses of all sizes. First, it’s a handy way to provide basic information to your customers. Instead of having to constantly field calls or messages about your hours or your address, you can simply add this information to Google My Business, making it easier for customers to find out more about you.

Google My Business is also a wonderful way to engage with customers. Customers can leave reviews, which you can respond to and use to improve your business. Google My Business also allows customers to ask questions about the business, which you or other customers can answer. You can also use the platform to connect to your social media accounts, further encouraging engagement.

When you’re tracking your overall performance on the web, Google My Business is an incredibly helpful tool. You can take a look at what search terms people are looking for to find your business, how they are interacting with your listing, and even how your profile is performing compared to local competitors.

Additionally, Google My Business is a great way to enhance your local SEO strategy. We'll speak to this in further detail in a moment, but Google My Business can help boost your SEO rankings when you integrate keywords into your profile.

How to Get Started with Google My Business

To get set up with Google My Business, you’ll first need to create a standard Google Account and a Business Profile if you haven’t already done so. Begin by creating a Google Account and select the “To manage my business” option. Once your account is set up, ensure you have a Business Profile. Since a Business Profile is a place on Google Maps, you may already have a Business Profile even if you didn’t set it up yourself. If this is the case, simply click the “Own this business?” option on the right-hand side of the screen and follow the prompts to claim the business.

If you’re on Google Maps and see that your business does not already have a profile, you should see an “Add a missing place” option. Select this option and provide the information that’s requested. Then, you can create your Google My Business account.

Search for “Google Business Profile” or head to google.com/business. Once you’ve reached the overview, click “Manage Now.” You can search for your business or add your business to Google, designate your category, and add your location and contact information. You’ll then be taken through a validation process to prove that you are, in fact, the owner of your business. Once you’re verified, you’ll have full ownership of your Business Profile and can manage it as you please.

Google My Business and Local SEO

Google My Business is quite adaptive to the needs of the user, which is what makes it so great for SEO. Depending on what search term a user looks for, different sections of your profile will be prioritized. Plus, if Google thinks that a certain keyword in your profile is particularly relevant, it will highlight those keywords, making your profile easier for users to navigate.

But, in order to make Google My Business as helpful as possible for SEO, you have to integrate the right keywords. You might already be doing some SEO keyword research for your blogs or social posts, and you can use that information to improve your Business Profile as well. Using the right keywords helps Google determine what you’re attempting to rank for.

When you’re integrating keywords into your profile, don’t forget to use those keywords in other places as well. If possible, try to use SEO keywords in your business description and various posts that you publish. Just be careful to avoid “keyword stuffing.” Using too many keywords too close together can actually harm your SEO rankings.

It’s also important to ensure that your Google My Business profile is as thorough and accurate as possible. Your hours and contact information are crucial, but it’s also key to include points like your website, social media channels, and the like. The more information you provide, the more Google can learn about your business and recommend it to the right audiences.

How to Optimize for Local SEO

Even outside of Google My Business, you can optimize for local SEO in a number of ways. One simple way to optimize is to integrate your location into your keywords. Instead of simply trying to rank for “barber shops,” for instance, try to rank for “barber shops in Santa Fe.”

You’ll also want to emphasize mobile adaptability. The majority of users turn to their smartphones or tablets to conduct “near me” searches, since many people will look for businesses on the go. Be sure that your website is optimized for mobile use. If your website isn’t functional or appealing on a smartphone, it’s likely that users will click away just as quickly as they arrived.

Customer reviews are also helpful when trying to optimize for local SEO. Not only do these reviews help to get more local search traffic, but they also boost your reputation among potential customers. You can try to garner reviews on popular websites like Yelp and Facebook, which Google will then pull onto your profile. When you do get reviews, be sure to respond!

Perfect Your SEO Strategy with Doukas Media

Navigating Google My Business and local SEO may seem complex, but it’s more than worth it to take the time to optimize. You’ll find that local traffic is an incredible way to boost your overall reputation and gain business for years to come.

If you’re looking for help in the world of SEO, Doukas Media is here for you. Our team has years of experience not only in SEO but in the world of digital marketing as a whole. We’ll work directly with you to understand your one-of-a-kind goals and expectations for your business, then we can create a customized strategy to help get you there. Contact Doukas Media today to learn more!