The first step in any local SEO campaign is to claim (at https://www.google.com/business) and once verified, optimise your Google My Business (GMB) page.
Optimisation is carried out by completing all the information that Google allows within their GMB platform. Simple things such as your opening hours, your website link, your appointments page, and your products and services, should all be included. Google also requires that your GMB is categorised, from a predefined searchable list. It’s important that this is carried out correctly – not just with your business in mind – but also those of your competitors. Research needs to be carried out to find out what the most effective categories are, which categories and services will prove to be the most fruitful and gain the most visibility in local search. You need to be careful not to choose too many categories, as this may water down the strength of individual categories, that may be have more power in isolation.
Some optimisations depend on whether or not you are a “Service Area Business”. This is defined as a business that has no premises that customers can visit, that serves its customers at their locations, or that offers a service outside its own location. For example, this may be a business that offers home repairs, such as a locksmith, or home improvements like a double glazing company or painter and decorator. Being a painter and decorator, you might have a shop where customers can come and choose paints and wallpapers, but you would still be a service area business. Within Google My Business, you need to set up the areas that you serve. Again you need to plan this carefully, as you are limited to 20 service areas, where you would potentially be able to show in map search results.
Businesses should ensure they keep their profiles up to date, and utilise all the tools that Google provide. You should regularly post updates, upload pictures and photographs, generate and answer customer reviews, and create helpful Questions &Answers for your customers.
We can help with all this, and provide regular reports showing the impact of our work. Contact us for help with your Google My Business profile optimisation.