The Ultimate Guide to Google Business Profiles and Local SEO

A Business Profile, sometimes called a Google business listing, makes it easier for web users to learn about your business. But just because your business has a Business Profile doesn’t mean you can automatically update it. First, you’ll have to create a Google Business Profile account, if you haven’t already.

Google Business Profile allows you to update and optimize your Business Profile. You can edit information like your business’s name, address, phone number, location, and more. Customers can use your Business Profile to leave reviews, ask questions, post photos, and more. In addition to your and your customers’ information, Google can also gather information about your business from around the internet to complete your profile.

No matter how big or small your business is, it can benefit from Google Business Profile. To start, it’s a simple way to give your customers the answers to their most common questions. You can reduce the number of phone calls or emails you get and instead allow users to find the information they need quickly.

Google Business Profile can also help you communicate with your customers. When a customer posts a review, you can respond and use the feedback to improve your business. Customers can ask questions through the platform as well, and either you (as the business owner) or other customers can respond. Finally, you can link your social media accounts to your Business Profile so your customers can easily find and follow you.

Google Business Profile is also handy when tracking your overall web performance. You can review relevant search terms that are popular with your audience, see how they are using your listing and its information, and compare the performance of your profile to those of your competitors.

Finally, when you’re trying to improve your local SEO strategy, Google Business Profile is a gold mine. We’ll expand on this in a minute, but you can use this platform to more effectively integrate SEO keywords into your profile and improve your SEO rankings.

The first thing you’ll need to do is create a Google Account and a Business Profile if you don’t already have them. Create your Google Account and choose “To manage my business.” After setting up your account, make sure you’ve got a Business Profile. A Business Profile automatically appears on Google Maps, so you could already have one even if you didn’t set it up. If your business does have a profile, select “Own this business?” on your profile and follow the prompts.

If you check Google Maps and discover that your business doesn’t have a Business Profile, you can select the “Add a Missing Place” option. You’ll provide some basic information before creating your Google Business Profile account.

Visit google.com/business or search for “Google Business Profile.” Head to the overview and select “Manage Now,” where you’ll be able to search for your business or add it to Google. Choose your category and enter your location and contact information. You’ll then need to verify that you own the business before you can gain full ownership of your Business Profile.

Google Business Profile is great for local SEO since it adapts to what the user needs. The sections of your profile are prioritized differently depending on what a user searches for. On top of that, if Google thinks that a keyword or phrase is especially relevant, it will point out those keywords to users for easier navigation.

You are likely already performing SEO keyword research in some capacity, and you can take this information and use it to improve your Business Profile. When you include keywords in your Profile, Google can better determine which keywords you want to rank for.

The keywords that are in your profile should also be in other places on the web. Integrate these keywords into your business description and posts. A word of warning: avoid using too many keywords back-to-back, a practice known as “keyword stuffing.” This practice can severely harm your SEO performance.

You should take care to complete your Business Profile as much as possible and keep it accurate if anything changes. Your audience will definitely want to know your hours and contact information, but you should also pay attention to your social media links, website links, and the like. With more information, Google can more accurately recommend your business to interested users.

In addition to using Google Business Profile, there are lots of ways to improve your local SEO performance. First, try to use your location within your keywords. So, instead of simply targeting the keywords “shoe store,” for example, try targeting “shoe store in Portland, Oregon.”

Mobile friendliness is also key to improving SEO. Many users search from their phones or tablets, especially for those “near me” searches when they’re on the go. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile use, you could be losing a large portion of your audience.

Lastly, customer reviews are a great tool for improving your local SEO performance. You’ll not only get more local search traffic, but you’ll also experience a boost in your reputation amongst local customers. You can gather reviews on social media, Google itself, or business websites like Yelp. Just be sure to respond to and interact with these reviews!

It might seem overwhelming to navigate Google Business Profile and local SEO all on your own, but thankfully, you don’t have to. The team at OneClick Media Group can help you leverage these tools to boost local traffic, gain loyal customers, and move your business forward.

OneClick Media Group is happy to help you with all your digital marketing needs. Our team has combined decades of experience assisting businesses of all sizes with their online marketing strategies. We’ll create a customized plan based on your needs and goals. Contact us today to learn more and to get started with your personalized plan!