Using GMB
Whether you’re looking to improve local SEO, utilise social proof as a form of marketing or want to make sure your digital presence is as strong as possible, the Google My Business (GMB) tool should be on your radar. As a multi-layered platform designed to make your brand visible across Google Search and Maps, Google My Business is an important part of any content marketing strategy. So let’s find out more.
What Exactly is Google My Business?
Google My Business is way more than a business listing. It enables you to submit up-to-date information about your local business making it easier to rank for local search terms. You can also create a unique Business Profile which makes it easy to post pictures, special offers and other content that’ll help you to stand out from the crowd. Make your profile unique and give customers a reason to choose you every time. There’s also the option to add regular posts to your Google Business Profile which can enhance brand interest.
With Google My Business, your customers can also connect easily with your brand by calling, messaging or leaving reviews. It’s another form of direct communication that’s designed to improve the user experience and boost ROI. Reviews also serve as social proof to other users who view your profile. Often user-generated content is more convincing than a brand shouting about how good it is.
From clicks and calls to bookings and followers, tracking engagement is also easy via Google My Business. By keeping an eye on data such as directions requested you can get a better idea of how people are interacting and what they want to know. With Google My Business providing consumers access to your location via Maps, they can also see exactly where you’re based which is also helpful for local searches.
How Can I Use Google My Business?
Using Google My Business is easy. You’ll need a Google Account to use any of Google’s products, so that’s the first place to start. Each local business should have its own account. From there, you can use Google My Business to create a local business profile. Google’s walkthrough wizard makes the whole process a piece of cake and you should fill out as many details as possible as this will all improve the consumer experience when they come across your brand. You can then verify your listing.
If you want to add multiple locations at the same time, you can do a bulk upload via a spreadsheet and then request bulk verification to save you time and effort. Your business profile will then show for branded and location searches. In some cases your page will pop up for non-branded searches too such as ‘nail salons near me.’
Your listing might also display in Google local packs. These show local business information for searches believed to be of local intent. The searcher may include geographical terms in their search, but they don’t have to. A phrase such as ‘near me’ is enough to trigger Google to present a local pack often made up of three business listings.
The GMB Dashboard – an Overview
Setting up a Google Business Profile is the first step. From there, you can manage most of the features via the GMB dashboard. This allows you to manage your contact details, reviews, posts, images, products and other features. Through the dashboard you can also gain access to analytics which reveal specific data such as:
- Branded and general search impressions
- Customer actions such as website visits, phone calls, messaging and requests for directions
- Search terms used that resulted in an impression of your business
Claiming your Google My Business page is a great way to show people what you do and where you’re based. It can help you rank for local searches and provides another avenue for posting content that includes location-based keywords.
Contact Whitefish Marketing today for a content strategy tailored to your business.
