Optimise Your Local SEO with Google My Business (GMB)

Local businesses face a competitive market for prominent visibility on search engine result pages (SERPs). To stand out and attract potential customers, optimising your local SEO is highly essential, and Google My Business (GMB) is what you need to fuel it up. You can find several local SEO services in the UK to help you get started with local SEO and optimise your planning which fulfils your goals.

This blog features how Google My Business can impact local businesses and help owners get the best outcomes by setting up their GMB profiles.

What is Google My Business (GMB)?

Google My Business (GMB) is a free online platform provided by Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence and information across various Google services. It is a central hub where businesses can create and update their listings, including vital details such as business name, address, phone number, website, and operating hours. 

GMB allows businesses to showcase their products, services, and photos, as well as gather and respond to customer reviews. Additionally, GMB offers insights and analytics to track user engagement, visibility on Google Maps, and other valuable metrics. It plays a pivotal role in local SEO by enhancing a business’s visibility in Google’s search results and maps, helping them connect with local customers effectively.

Setting Up a Google My Business (GMB) Profile

For local businesses, it is essential to focus on their targeted audience by reaching out to them. For this purpose, expert local SEO services in the UK can be helpful, and having a GMB profile is also effective. To list your business on it, you have to follow a step-by-step guide, which is as follows:

Visit the GMB Website

Go to the Google My Business website (https://www.google.com/business/) and click the “Manage Now” button.

Sign in or Create an Account

Sign in with your Google account or create a new one if you already have one. Provide your business name, address, phone number, website, and other relevant details. Ensure that the information is accurate and consistent with your other online listings.

Verify Your Business

Depending on your location and business type, you may need to verify your business through a verification postcard, phone call, email, or instant verification (if eligible). Follow the provided instructions for the verification process.

Customise Your Profile

Once verified, you can enhance your GMB profile by adding a description, business categories, services/products, photos, and opening hours. Provide as much relevant information as possible to make your profile comprehensive and attractive to potential customers.

Manage Reviews

Monitor and respond to customer reviews promptly. Addressing positive and negative reviews demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Explore Additional Features

GMB offers various features like posts, messaging, and insights. Take advantage of these features to engage with your audience, provide updates, and gain insights into your GMB performance.

Regularly Update Your Profile

Keep your GMB profile updated with any changes in business information, hours, or offerings. This ensures accuracy and helps maintain a positive user experience.

Benefits

Google My Business is a powerful tool used by professionals to optimise local SEO strategies. Trajital UK is a digital marketing company in the UK providing extensive local SEO services to help its clients better understand it and how they can make their way into the competitive market. 

Here is how Google My Business benefits local SEO:

. Local Search Visibility

Claiming and optimising your GMB listing increases the chances of appearing in local search results. When users search for businesses or services in their local area, Google often displays a “Local Pack” of relevant listings, prominently featuring GMB profiles.

. NAP Consistency

It allows you to provide accurate and consistent information about your business, including the Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP). Consistency in NAP across GMB and other online directories is crucial for local SEO, as search engines rely on this information to verify the legitimacy and relevance of a business.

. Google Maps Integration

Google My Business is directly integrated with Google Maps, enabling businesses to appear on the map when users search for local services. Optimising your GMB listing enhances your visibility on Google Maps, helping potential customers find and navigate to your location quickly.

. Customer Reviews and Ratings

This tool allows customers to leave reviews and ratings for your business. Positive reviews and high ratings can improve your local search rankings and attract more customers while responding to reviews demonstrates engagement and customer service.

. Local Insights and Analytics

It provides valuable insights and analytics about user interactions, search queries, and views. These insights can help businesses understand their local audience better, optimise their content and offerings, and refine their local SEO strategies.

Final Thoughts

A robust SEO approach is the best way to tackle a local business, although it can be challenging for new entrepreneurs or people who need help understanding it. 

To help you get through local SEO, Trajital, a digital marketing agency in the UK, is the ultimate solution. With their expertise, you can develop a significant number of customers with a high retention rate for a successful and flourishing business.