If you’re a small business owner, then you know how important it is to be visible online. After all, most of your customers are probably searching for products and services on the internet. That’s why you need to list your business on Google My Business (GMB).

GMB is a free listing service provided by Google. When customers search for businesses on Google, GMB listings appear on the right-hand side of the results page. These listings include important information about the business, such as the address, phone number, hours of operation, and customer reviews. 

Not only does GMB make it easier for customers to find your business, but it also helps improve your website’s SEO. That’s because Google takes into account GMB listings when determining where to rank websites in its search results. So, if you want your website to appear higher in the search results, then you need to make sure that your GMB listing is optimized. 

How to Optimize Your GMB Listing

There are a few things that you can do to optimize your GMB listing:

1. Complete all of the fields in your listing. 

The more information you provide about your business, the better. Be sure to include your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, website URL, and category. You should also add photos and videos to help customers get a better idea of what your business has to offer. 

2. Respond to customer reviews. 

Google allows customers to leave reviews for businesses on Google My Business listings. When customers leave reviews, be sure to respond—preferably within 24 hours. This shows potential customers that you value customer feedback and are willing to address any concerns that they may have. 

3. Keep your information up-to-date. 

It’s important to keep your GMB listing accurate and up-to-date. This includes making sure that your hours of operation are correct and updating your listing if you move to a new location. Customers will appreciate knowing that they can rely on the information in your listing, and it will help prevent them from going to a competitor’s business because they couldn’t find yours. 

4. Use keyword-rich descriptions. 

Whenever you add information to your GMB listing—such as a description of your business or photos—be sure to use keywords that potential customers might use when searching for a business like yours. This will help improve your chances of appearing in the search results when someone searches for those keywords. 

5 Encourage customers to leave reviews.

One of the best ways to improve your GMB ranking is by getting positive customer reviews. You can encourage customers to leave reviews by adding a link to your listing on your website or social media accounts or by sending an email after they’ve made a purchase from you asking them to review your business. 

By following these tips, you can help ensure that potential customers are able to find your business on Google My Business and improve your chances of appearing higher in the search results. 

Google My Business is an essential tool for small businesses trying to compete online—especially when it comes to local SEO. By taking advantage of GMB’s features and optimizing their listings, businesses can increase their visibility, attract more leads, and boost their bottom line. So if you haven’t claimed your GMB listing yet, what are you waiting for? And if you need help, schedule an appointment with one of our experts!