There aren’t many free ways to get your business out there, which makes taking advantage of them even more important for businesses looking for high-impact results on a shoestring budget. Google My Business is one of the best free ways to start succeeding in local search results and make sure your customers have accurate information about you. How can you get more out of your profile?
Check the Basics
Before you get to more advanced parts of the profile, you should start with the basics. Every Google My Business profile contains information that is required to accurately tell customers things like where you’re located and when you’re open. Some of the things you should check include:
- Category of your business
- Address
- Service area
- Phone number
- Website URL
- Hours of operation
Especially during COVID-19, many businesses made changes to their hours and location but forgot to update their profile. Inaccurate information can lead to bad reviews and frustrated customers, so make sure that yours is clear.
Look at Keywords Used
Just like on your website, using keywords in your Google My Business profile can make sure that you are attracting your target audience. When writing your business description, use descriptive keywords without being spammy. For example, instead of saying you are “an Italian restaurant,” say “An Italian restaurant offering pick-up and food delivery that is known for pizza, pasta, and hoagies.” You won’t instantly make it to the top result for pizza in your area, but you will be closer than you were before!
Add Photos
Photos are an afterthought for most businesses, but research shows that businesses who have photos on their Google My Business profiles receive over 40% more requests for directions on the Google Maps app and over 35% more actions taken (making a call or visiting the website). If you aren’t sure where to start, add some photos of the exterior of your business and what the inside looks like. This shows that you’re a legitimate business and increases trust in your brand.
Add Special Attributes
One of the newer features added to Google My Business is the option to add special attributes to your business profile for interested customers. There are many different attributes available, including everything from a special marker for woman-owned businesses to a highlight for offering outdoor seating.
It’s important to note that attributes are determined based on the category of your business, so some might be unavailable based on your categorization. Some of the attributes that you can update (depending on your category) include:
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Veteran-led
- Black-owned
- Woman-led
- Mask required
- Reservations required
- Service options for restaurants (delivery, drive-through, curbside pick-up, etc.)
- And more!
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