Top Tips For Your Google Listing

This is a recent advice post shared to my local business Facebook group, I have also decided to share it here as it may help you shape your Google Business Listing. 

The biggest secret to success with your Google listing is consistency and to engage and Interact with your customers. 

Optimizing and maintaining a Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for a business's local online presence. Here is a breakdown of the best advice for running your profile, focusing on key areas that impact visibility, customer engagement, and credibility.

Complete and Accurate Information:

This is the foundation of a strong profile. Ensure all information is filled out completely and consistently across all your online platforms (website, social media, other directories).

Accurate NAP: 

Your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) should be identical to the information on your website and other online directories. Inconsistencies, even minor ones like "St" vs. "Street," can negatively affect your ranking.

Business Categories: 

Choose the most specific primary category that describes your core business. You can add secondary categories, but only those that are truly relevant to your services.

Business Description: 

Write a clear, concise, and keyword-rich description that explains what your business does and what makes it unique. Avoid keyword stuffing and do not include links.

Hours of Operation: 

Keep your regular and holiday hours updated. This is a simple but critical way to prevent customer frustration and show that your business is active.

Engage with Customers:

A dynamic and responsive profile is a key signal to both Google and potential customers that your business is trustworthy and active.

Manage and Respond to Reviews: 

This is one of the most critical factors for local ranking.

Encourage reviews: 

Ask happy customers to leave reviews, whether in-person, through email, or via SMS.

Respond to all reviews: 

Reply to both positive and negative reviews. Thank customers for positive feedback and address negative feedback professionally and calmly. Offering to take the conversation offline for a resolution shows you value customer input.

Use keywords: 

When appropriate, naturally include keywords in your responses.

Utilize Google Posts: 

Think of these as a way to share updates like you would on social media. Use them to announce new products, specials, events, or general news about your business. Posting regularly keeps your profile fresh and engaging.

Answer Q&A: 

Monitor the Q&A section on your profile. You can proactively "seed" this section with frequently asked questions and their answers. This provides valuable information to potential customers and can help with keyword ranking.

Enable Messaging: 

If this feature is available for your business type, enabling direct messaging provides an easy way for customers to contact you.

Add High-Quality Visuals:

Visuals can significantly boost engagement and help you stand out from the competition.

Upload High-Resolution Photos: 

Add professional, high-quality photos of your business exterior and interior, your products or services, and your team.

Add Videos: 

Short, high-quality videos can be very effective in telling your business's story.

Regular Update to Content: 

Keep your visuals fresh. Regularly adding new photos shows that your business is active and up-to-date. Keep your old photos on your listing as it is known to help to build trust with customers over time, also many of your old photos can hold many thousands of views, it's always best to keep the old photos...

The above information is all tried and test methods to help your business succeed on Google.