Importance of Optimizing the GMB Profile for Small Business

---

People all over the globe are searching for products and services in their local area all the time. For this, they use the most popular search engine, Google. 

If your business offers what they need, it should show on top even before the ranked pages do. And that’s what Google My Business is all about.

Read: Step-by-step Setup Guide for Google My Business Set up

10 Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Optimize Their GMB Profile

---

1. Try Because It Comes for Free

Google My Business is free to use. It would not cost you a dime. What’s better than this for local businesses? It helps your business rank without even asking you to pay anything. 

When you think of marketing your local business, GMB should be the first thing to strike your head. The best part about this is that you do not have to spend weeks or months. Just a few hours, and you can see the results.

As a tip, here is the step by step procedure that you can follow:

1. Go to Google Business Profile Manager and sign in

2. Enter the name of your local business

3. Give your location or address

4. Add your contact details

5. Perform a verification check for your business location 

6. Personalize your local business profile

Here’s a screenshot of the GMB console:

2. Keep an Eye on the Footfall

Creating a GMB profile is important, but you need to track it. After all, tracking the footfall will only make you understand how to optimize it for your local business to flourish. 

You can keep a count of people entering your platform with a little effort you make in your GMB profile. All you need to do is:

• Generate a link to your website with the help of tools like UTM Builder

• While naming the source and medium, drop an insinuation related to GMB so that you remember the purpose of this link later.

• Include this link to your GMB profile

• Click on this link in your profile and check it out using Google Analytics. You will know how many people visited your website through this link.

Here’s a screenshot of UTM Builder:

3. Reach the Eyes of Your Customers

GMB Listing helps you enhance the visibility of your business. As per data, 90% of the users search on Google for anything they need. And that too with a ‘near me’ keyword added to their search. 

So, if what you offer is what they need, it might be visible to them. Simple. Here are some tips:

• GMB listing automatically gives you first-page visibility on Google, which might take days for SEO.

• Your GMB listing will appear on top of the search engine for local searches and direction inquiries.

• Standing out against your competitors is easier if you have your Google My Business listing ready.

Here’s an example of Google My Business listings appearing in response to a search with the ‘near me’ keyword:

4. Capture the Attention Using Images

Catching visual attention is always a plus for improving the reach of your local business. Google My Business gives you an option to upload pictures or videos of your business. This gives you an upper hand to attract eyeballs and convert them to your customers. 

While uploading the images of your business, think like a customer. Upload what would create a good impression on your customers. For example, you can try:

• Upload images that show the people behind your brand.

• You can show a 360-degree view of the neighborhood.

• You can post videos or pictures of happy customers to build more credibility.

• You can post pictures of the founder and employees.

Moreover, this gives them a near to real experience of what it would be like to visit your local store. It will help them connect better.

Here’s a screenshot of a business showing a 360-degree view of their establishment:

Read: What are the Benefits of a Google My Business Listing?

5. Reviews Speak for Themselves

GMB listing is a great place for customers to talk about their experiences. Happy customer reviews can easily improve your sales. So, make sure you ask your happy customers to write a google review for you. 

But running a business isn’t a piece of cake. There will be unhappy customers who will leave a review and mark your business. So, what can you do? Here are some tips:

• Make sure that you give your best service to your customers.

• Always respond to the reviews. Never ignore negative reviews and assure them of a better service or product next time they visit your local store.

• Your potential customers will always look for reviews before they end up buying anything from you. How you respond to your old customers will bridge the gap with your newer customers.

Here’s an example of a business responding to reviews on Google:

6. Builds Faith in Your Users

Your customers will trust your business more when they see your GMB listing on the search engine. 

The reason for this is that the address verification process for your business is crucial and needs some checks before it appears on Google and therefore builds credibility. Here are a bunch of tips for you to follow:

• Understand your customer’s mind. They are not likely to purchase if they don’t trust your business.

• You can serve your address, location, and contact number on a platter as a solution.

• Have a properly functioning website that enhances their faith in your business.

If your local business is new, building your customer’s trust will take time, but you need to do all these checks to make it happen.

Here’s an example of a GMB listing that shows address, location, and contact number:

7. Update All Your Information

Every once in a while, check that all details about your business are correct or need any update. 

Give a little description of your business. It should just be like a crisp and clear sneak peek at what exactly do you offer to your customers.

All the Google My Business listed information should be correct and updated. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• The calling number should be correct, reachable, and attended.

• The situation should not be so that your local store has shifted, but your GMB listing still shows the old address. This will mislead your customers.

• Your website should be up and running with no broken links.

• Mention the hours you are operating on all the weekdays. If your store remains shut on any particular day, that should reflect on your GMB page.

Here’s a screenshot of a business’s description:

8. Create a Google Post

This is a feature that allows you to boost your sales directly. Once your local business has your Google My Business page ready, you can also have a Google post. 

You can showcase your new launch, a special service you have to offer, or a recent achievement that you are proud to share with your potential customers. 

Moreover, it gives you a direct call to action button. You can set it the way you wish your customers to respond. It can be Shop now, Read More, Explore Now, etc. Here are some tips for designing a Google Post:

• Choose the picture that displays your message right.

• Enter a small heading and description for the post.

• Add a call to action button depending on where you want your customers to land.

Further, you can keep adding newer posts to show how recent your post is. It tells your potential customers how active your brand is.

Here’s an example of a Google Post:

9. Connect on Message with Your Customers

A recent feature allows your customers to reach out to you through messages directly. This is a great way to address your customer queries and connect directly.

You can assist your customers at the earliest and eventually ease their life with your products and services.

Here is what you can do with the messaging option:

• If you wish to begin the chat with your customers, you just need to activate the messaging feature on your GMB listing.

• Either you or your employees can take over this feature in full swing. However, you should alert your staff not to ask the customers for any security information.

• If you think this feature is too much to take care of, you can simply turn it off through your GMB dashboard.

Here’s a screenshot of the messaging feature:

 Read: FAQs on Google My Business Issues

10. Shoot Videos and Make Them Live

Videos are powerful in terms of engagement because they tend to create a longer impression in the minds of your potential customers.

You need not shoot these videos with a high-quality camera and edit them. Just raw videos with a decent camera would be good enough.

Always take real images and videos to build a better bond with your customers. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Both customers and business owners have the option to upload the videos.

• The owner can bring down any video that seems irrelevant to the business or display any inappropriate content.

• Small videos of 30 seconds with a maximum size of 100 MB and a minimum resolution of 720 p are allowed.

Here’s a screenshot of the video upload screen in the GMB console:

Small Business & GMB - FAQs

---

1. Why Do You Need A GMB For Your Business? And What Does Google My Business Improve?

GMB Listing is a cost-effective way to improve the visibility of your business. It ultimately improves your visibility against your competitors, website footfall, customer insights, and ultimately sales.

2. How Do I Set Up Google My Business (GMB) For Local Businesses?

Sign in on Google Business Profile Manager. Go to the ‘Manage Now’ button and start filling in your business name, business category, etc. The most important step is to verify your address.

3. Is Google My Business Good For Local Businesses?

Yes, certainly. It is the first thing you should do while marketing for your local business. It gives 

your better visibility in local searches and location queries on Google Maps.

4. What Is Google My Business?

Google My Business is like your business profile. This is a way for local businesses to show up on Google searches and Maps.

Key Takeaways

---

• Keep your information, including your address, working hours, contact number, updated on your GMB listing.

• Respond to Google Reviews. Do not leave the negative reviews unattended, as this will leave a negative mark in the eyes of your potential customers.

• Post raw yet clean images and videos about your business and its people.

• Keep track of the footfall your receive through your GMB listing.

• Optimize your GMB profile based on what you gain from your customer insights.

• Use the messaging feature by turning it on through your GMB dashboard.

• Boost your sales through Google Posts on your GMB listing.