Get More Visibility for Your Google My Business Profile

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Ask a Local SEO expert, and they'll tell you a Google My Business (GMB) profile is arguably the most vital element of their strategy. That's because people are searching for businesses in their area. Google stats show that the “near me” searches have grown over 200%.

However, getting your GMB profile in the top spot is tricky. 

Fear not, though, because our tips will increase your profile's visibility and grow your business!

Tips to Get More Visibility for Your Google My Business Profile

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1. Complete Your Profile

Many businesses claim their GMB profile but won't go the extra mile to add all their vital information. Take a look at the below example where the business hasn’t added a phone number, Q&A, description, etc. 

And, the more information you provide - the more Google will understand your business and push it out to relevant local searches. 

However, the central premise of a GMB profile is to provide users with detailed listing information. So, say you're a Ballet studio in New York with an incomplete GMB profile. Firstly, a potential client who wants to enroll might not be able to if your phone number is missing. 

Secondly, an incomplete GMB profile won't rank high in their searches. That's because Google boosts profiles that have vital information. So, even if your business is in their neighborhood, you will miss out on max visibility - allowing a competitor to get the client. 

Therefore, after completing your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) info, you must then follow through with:

• Business hours,
• Category,
• Website,
• Q&A section
• Posts,
• Reviews, Etc.

2. Fill In The ‘From The Business’ Description

Interestingly, the description viewed right under your NAP info is written by Google. 

Meaning you don't have much control over what is being written. Thankfully, your reviews and the 'From the Business' description are the primary sources used to write the description. Leaving this unfilled will help the competition get an edge over a business. 

Therefore, filling in this section has its benefits. It allows you to describe who you are as a brand fully. Plus, it shows up directly under the review section, which people typically read and base their decisions upon. 

So, say you're a family-run, fourth-generation plumbing company in Illinois. However, the description Google has written doesn't reflect those key elements. Then it's a good idea to take advantage of the 'From the Business' description on your GMB dashboard. 

Optimize this section further by:

• Using the first 250 words with vital brand details.
• Use location and industry keywords.
• Don't repeat information. Keep it fresh. 
• Don’t include HTML.

3. Select Relevant Categories

According to Bright Local, 84% of GMB profile views come from discovery searches. That's because it's not often a user will do a direct brand name search. Typically, a user searches for a product, service, or category term when the GMB profile appears. 

If you want to get more visibility, it's vital to select the relevant category. Choosing the main industry will also give you more benefits and features. 

For example, if you select the 'Restaurant' category, you will get a bonus feature like the 'add a Menu' or 'Table reservation' button. When you fill in this information, GMB shows up in your profile with these as CTA. 

Features like this get more visibility and increase conversions. 

Consider these factors when selecting your category: :

• Be specific - E.g., select 'Indian restaurant' instead of just 'restaurant.'
• Choose secondary categories - focus on your specialization. E.g.:, a gym would add 'Calisthenics' or 'yoga' as their secondary category. 
• Keep it Simple - E.g., if you're a garage, select 'car repair' and not 'car parts supplier.'

4. Choose Appropriate Attributes

Attributes are feature words mentioned above the address byline on a GMP profile. It's another way to highlight the main company characteristics that set you apart. 

For example, If you're a coffee shop near a university, adding 'Free Wi-Fi' as an attribute will get you more visibility and foot traffic. That's because university students on a budget would prefer to visit a cafe with this specific attribute. 

The attribute tags appear on your search result listing and Google Maps, so it's a great way to deliver targeted information that entices your key demographic. Selecting attributes also help your business appear in more niche searches. 

How to add attributes:

• Go to your GMB listing.
• Click the 'info' tab on the left-hand column.
• Locate the 'blue price tag' icon. Typically, under the main NAP detail section. 
• Click the 'pencil' icon adjacent to the blue price tag icon. 
• Add or create your attributes.

5. Upload High-Res Images

Apart from proximity, a primary ranking factor, Google likes to show users businesses with the most updated and thriving listings. Therefore, having high-res images on your profile is one way to get more visibility. 

Additionally, according to Google, 35%of users are more likely to click through to a business's website if its GMB profile has photos. 

The downside is that anyone can upload images. Therefore, ensure that the photos you put up are eye-catching and professionally done - It's more enticing to a potential customer. 

For example, a pet grooming salon with adorable pictures of pets being groomed will get more clicks than one that doesn't have any images. Or worse, one that has photos of dogs being scared while grooming. 

For example, here’s a screenshot of one of the top-ranked businesses on GMB having good pictures, while most businesses that ranked below it did not have even a single picture. 

So, control what images potential clients see by:

• Post images regularly.
• Upload enticing photos that show your business in a positive light. 
• Optimize images so that they show up in image searches.

6. Get Google Reviews

There are two reasons why reviews are vital for your GMB listing. Firstly, users read them and decide whether to take action based on those reviews and ratings. A study by BrightLocal says that 77% of online clients 'regularly' read online reviews when browsing local businesses. 

Secondly, Google uses positive reviews and ratings as a ranking factor. Google will boost your listing and rank the local 3-pack spot in relevant searches if you have great reviews and ratings. 

So, a sure shot way to increase visibility and ranking is simply asking existing clients for Google reviews. 

Here are a few ways to ask clients to rate and review your business: 

• Send your Google Review link to clients via newsletters, WhatsApp, etc. You can create the link freely by going to the ‘home’ tab in GMB and click ‘Share review form as in the screenshot. 

• Add the link to your social media platforms. 
• Create posts on social media asking followers to review your business. 
• Add the link to your 'contact' and 'about us' pages.

7. Post Regularly

Think of your Google My Business profile the same way you think about your favorite social media platform. The more you post, the more visibility your profile gets. Interestingly, on GMB, users are more motivated to engage with your post because they have a higher intent than social platforms. So, create posts to share your offers, new blogs, etc., using the ‘Posts’ option in the GMB profile. 

More engagement and posting regularly send a positive ranking signal to Google's algorithms. These signals increase your rank and appearance in searches. 

Therefore, use your GMB dashboard to create and publish posts. They show up at the bottom of your listing and are a great way to share announcements, updates, sales promos, etc. 

Additional benefits include:

• Users can follow your profile and get updates on new posts. 
• Posts increase the number of conversions on your profile (WordStream).
• Posts show up on Google Map searches as well. 
• You can add CTA links to your posts for more engagement. 
• Create 'event 'or 'offer' posts for your marketing campaigns.

Optimizing Google My Business - FAQs

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Q1: What Are The Most Important Steps To Optimize My Google My Business Profile?

Here are two necessary steps to optimize your GMB profile:

• Complete your profile: Don't leave anything blank, e.g., business hours, NAP info, categories, etc. 
• Ask for Reviews: Send your GMB review link to clients. Reviews are a ranking factor.

Q2: How Do I Get My Google My Business Listing To Rank In The Local 3-Pack?

Ranking in the local 3-pack is highly dependent on the proximity of your business to the users. However, here are some ranking signals:

• Add high-res images to the profile
• Select a relevant category
• Respond to reviews
• Post regularly.

Q3: Why Do I Need To Optimize My Google My Business Profile?

Optimizing your profile helps get more visibility, quality leads, conversions, sales, foot/web traffic, etc. That's because Google uses the information found on your GMB profile to satisfy user search intent. Therefore, your profile will appear in more SERPs.

Key Takeaways

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• Claim your GMB profile 
• Complete your profile with all the necessary information. 
• Create captivating content to post regularly. 
• Add attributes that highlight your company characteristics. 
• Ask for Google reviews and ratings from clients.
• Take high-res pictures to post on your profile. 
• Upload logo that is consistent with all other platforms. 
• Ensure NAP consistency on all platforms. 
• Fill up the 'From the Business' description to entice users. 
• Include location keywords in reviews and posts.