If you’ve ever Googled your competition and saw that their business listing showed up higher in search with a bunch of customer-centric information like photos, hours, special offers, and even videos, you might wonder how they got all that done. The answer is simple, they optimized their free Google My Business (aka GMB) listings, and Google rewarded them with higher search rankings.

Google My Business lets you take advantage of and grow your business’ presence, making sure your business shows up when it matters most: the moment customers are searching for your business or products or services like yours on Google Search and Maps.

Why You Need an Optimized Google My Business Listing

You may assume that if you have a strong online presence that people will find you in search anyway. Why would you bother managing your business listings directly when it’s so easy to find your website and contact information online?

You’d be surprised at how much search users depend on Google to tell them what the best answer is for their search queries.

According to one Gybo report, businesses that verify their information via Google Business are twice as likely to have customers view them as “reputable.” Google vouching for your business reduces uncertainty and encourages people to take actions like calling or visiting your locations.

And if you are looking to make it into the Local 3-Pack that dominates the top of both desktop and mobile search results, the only way in is through Google My Business.

What is Google My Business?

Let’s take a step back for local SEO (search engine optimization) beginners. Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your business on Google Search and Maps. With your Google My Business account, you can see and connect with your customers, post updates, and see how customers are interacting with your business on Google.

With GMB, you can manage the information that Google users see when they search for your business or the products and services that you offer. When people find your business on Google Maps and Search, they have access to information like your hours, website, and street address.

Reach Highly Relevant and Engaged Customers

Google My Business gives you the power to attract and engage customers when they search for the type of products or services your business provides. Optimizing your GMB listing by filling out all the information gives your business a presence on Google Search and Maps. It also allows you to respond to reviews, post photos of products, services, or special offers, and provide information that helps search users choose your business first.

So, don’t miss an opportunity to read and respond to reviews from your customers and post photos that show off what you do. Businesses that add photos to their listings receive 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t.

GMB Insights shows you how you can optimize your customer engagement for better results, and you can encourage more engagement by interacting with your customers from the Customers tab.

Google My Business also comes with a mobile app that is free to use. Do everything you already to with your GMB account. Use enhanced features to make it easier to optimize business listings on the go.

If you already have a website, Google My Business listings complement and promote your existing business website and raise your visibility online. No website? Your GMB listing includes a free professional business website that you can set up in minutes.

It’s created automatically using information from your GMB listing, and auto-updates as you make changes to your profile. You can choose from a variety of site themes and offer customers multiple ways to get in touch with you, like calling, messaging, or requesting a quote.

Google My Business Resources

When you take into account that Google owns 90% of the global search market, it makes sense that you would want to take advantage of a free tool that lets you rank your business in their search engines – and that tool is Google My Business.

There are simply too many people searching for the products and services business as yours provide. Make your business highly visible in search results by optimizing your Google My Business listing.

• Get started with Google My Business at com/business
• Check out Google’s own Google My Business guide to getting started
• Troubleshoot your Google My Business issues in the Google My Business Help Center
• Connect with and learn from Google My Business users in the Google My Business Community
• Get the latest Google My Business announcements in the Announcement Center
• Download the Google My Business App

Google My Optimization

Now that you have your GMB or Google My Business Page set up, you will need to optimize your information, images, and video to ensure your content is picked up in Google. Failure to set up your categories correctly within the GMB Dashboard can negatively affect how your profile shows up in the search results which could mean less traffic to your website.

Have questions or need help with optimizing your Google My Business Profile? Contact the Pros, at S3 Media Group today and let our team help your business stand out from the competition.