Your Google Business Profile is super important, especially now as we get closer to 2024. It’s like having a virtual storefront where most of your customers will find you first. But just listing your business isn’t enough.
You need to choose the right categories, write a compelling description, ask customers for reviews, and keep everything up-to-date. This helps you show up better in local search results, which is key for attracting customers.
If you’ve been neglecting your Google Business Profile, it’s time to give it a makeover. I have a checklist to help you make your profile more interesting. Follow these tips, and you’ll stay ahead in the competitive world of local SEO.
Don’t see updating your profile as a chore. It’s actually your secret weapon. In today’s fast-paced world, if you don’t keep up, you’ll fade away.
Trust me—keeping your profile fresh and following the latest trends is the key to staying visible and relevant.
First: Claim and Verify Your Listing
To start with your Google Business Profile for 2024, the first thing you need to do is claim or verify it.
If your business already appears there, claim that spot right away on Google My Business. If it doesn’t, no worries – you just need to set up a new one. This step is really important for ensuring people can find you online.
For verification, you might receive a postcard from Google at your business location within five business days. Or, if you’re already verified with Google Search Console, you could get verified instantly. This changes your profile from just being there to being active and ready to show up in search results.
You really have to verify your profile. When you do this, it shows that your business is real and trustworthy. This helps customers trust the information they see about your business.
Verifying your profile is the first important thing to do before you start making your Google My Business really good. It’s like building a house on solid ground instead of sand. A verified profile is like a strong base that shows Google and your future customers that they can trust you.
Optimize Basic Information
It’s really important to fill your profile with every detail about your business. That means your name, address, phone number (and make sure it’s the same everywhere online), your hours, and all the services or products you offer.
You might wonder why all this matters. Well, it tells Google that your listing is real and trustworthy, which is exactly what you want.
When you’re choosing the right category for your business, think of it like giving Google a friendly nudge, saying, “Hey, match me up with people who are looking for what I offer!” And don’t forget to add in extra info, like if you take online bookings or what safety measures you have in place. That just makes your profile even better.
Who wouldn’t love some eye-catching pictures? Make sure to upload good-quality photos and videos often to make your profile stand out.
Thinking about using Google Posts to share your latest deals or news? That’s a great way to keep your customers interested.
Another tip: ask your customers to leave reviews and be sure to respond to them. It’s not just polite; it also makes you look more credible and visible.
But don’t just set up your profile and forget about it. Keep everything fresh and up-to-date. And getting verified? Think of it as a must-do to unlock useful features like replying to reviews.
Adding UTM links to your website URL in your profile is also a smart move to track your traffic analytics. Those insights are really valuable.
Follow Google’s rules. There’s no avoiding gravity’s laws. If you break them, your listing might disappear. Play by the rules, keep everything honest, and follow the guidelines, and you’ll be rewarded.
Maintaining your Google Business Profile is like your business’s workout routine; it helps it grow and get noticed. Being consistent with your updates and following Google’s rules are important strategies.
Improve Your Profile with Media
Let’s talk about using photos and videos to boost your Google My Business (GMB) profile!
First, make sure you have some high-quality photos of your business. Take pictures of the outside and inside, and don’t forget to snap some good shots of your products or services!
Don’t underestimate the power of engagement! Share videos, virtual tours, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business to keep people interested.
Wondering how to keep your GMB profile fresh? Just keep updating it regularly with events and special promotions. This way, your business stays in the spotlight.
Customer reviews are super important for showing how great your business is. When you respond to reviews, it shows you care about your customers.
Don’t forget about the Q&A section! Keep an eye on it and answer questions quickly. You can also add common questions about your business to help customers out.
Highlight what makes your business unique! Whether it’s wheelchair accessibility or free Wi-Fi, let people know what you offer to meet their needs.
Make sure all your business info is correct. You don’t want wrong hours or services giving people the wrong impression!
Follow Google’s rules for what you can post. This keeps your profile active and penalty-free.
Google Analytics and tracking URLs are great tools for seeing how customers interact with your GMB profile. You can use this info to make your profile even better.
Think of all this as a way to make your GMB profile stand out. With a unique, up-to-date profile, local customers will have an easier time finding and connecting with your business. Remember, first impressions matter, so make yours count!
Use Advanced Features for Business Growth
Have you heard about the new features on Google My Business? They’re pretty cool! Now, customers can book appointments and send messages directly from your GMB profile. It makes things so much easier and faster for everyone.
And there’s more! The analytics feature on GMB has been upgraded too. You can see important data like how many people call your business, click on your website, or even visit your store. This info can help you understand your customers better and improve your services.
For example, if you notice that one of your services is getting a lot of clicks, you might want to highlight it more or make it easier to find. And knowing when your customers usually reach out can help you schedule your staff better to meet their needs.
Analytics isn’t just about numbers and charts; it’s about understanding what’s working and what’s not so you can make smart decisions to grow your business and make your customers happy.
So, if you want to stay ahead of the game, you should definitely consider using these new GMB features. They give you a clear picture of what your customers want and how they like to interact with your business. And trust me, it’s worth the effort to see the results!
Monitor and Update Your Profile Regularly
Updating your Google My Business (GMB) profile is essential in today’s marketplace. Any changes in your services, products, or hours should be promptly reflected on your listing to maintain a sharp and competitive online presence.
Incorrect information on your GMB profile can deter customers and lead to missed sales opportunities. Imagine a customer excited to visit your business, only to find it closed when your listing said it would be open. This not only frustrates potential buyers but also damages your online reputation.
Monitoring your GMB listing’s performance is crucial. Google provides insights into how customers interact with your listing, helping you make informed updates that resonate with your audience and improve your visibility in searches.
Simply listing your business online isn’t enough. Proactively managing and enhancing your GMB profile is essential as it serves as a true reflection of your business and acts as a powerful magnet for customers.
Neglecting to manage and enhance your listing is akin to giving your rivals a golden opportunity to attract potential customers away from you.
The Google My Business Checklist.
Let’s sum up everything we talked about with a basic checklist:
- Claim and verify your listing.
- Create or claim your profile.
- Verify through a postcard or Google Search Console.
- Keep your business name, address, and phone number consistent across all platforms.
- Choose accurate business categories.
- Write a brief business description (put the most important info first).
- Update your business hours regularly, including holidays.
- Add relevant details like payment options and accessibility.
- Upload good quality photos and videos.
- List your products and services with descriptions, prices, and pictures.
- Post updates, promotions, and events regularly.
- Manage and respond to reviews actively.
- Encourage happy customers to leave positive feedback.
- Answer questions in the Q&A section promptly.
- Enable booking and messaging features.
- Use advanced analytics to track performance.
- Keep your profile updated with any changes to your business.
- Check out what your competitors are doing with tools like GMBspy.
- Include a website link with tracking parameters.
- Use local keywords in your profile.
- Keep your business information consistent across directories.
- Lock your information to prevent unauthorized updates by Google.
Online marketing and customer needs are always changing, so updating your Google Business Profile regularly is crucial. This regular maintenance not only meets Google’s standards and customer expectations but also boosts your online presence.
Quicklinks
- Boost Your Website Traffic With Local SEO
- SEO vs. Local SEO
- Track And Analyze Traffic From A Google Business Profile To A Website
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining and optimizing your Google Business Profile is essential for staying visible and relevant in today’s competitive market.
By following the checklist provided, including claiming and verifying your listing, updating basic information, leveraging multimedia, utilizing advanced features, and monitoring and updating your profile regularly, you can ensure that your business remains attractive to potential customers and stands out among competitors.
Keeping your profile fresh and aligned with the latest trends is key to maximizing your online visibility and growing your business.
