With over 90% of the search engine market, it is important for businesses that they are easily found through Google searches. Google made it easier for businesses to rank on their search engine by introducing Google My Business. 65 per cent of all Google searches contain a local reference, which means it is especially important for businesses to optimise their local search engine optimisation (SEO). Google My Business is a free tool for businesses to better manage their online presence by providing information about their business that is shown in Google search results. This includes information such as their location, contact information, photos, customer reviews and products/services they provide. For a business to create a Google My Business account, they first need a Google account. Providing as much information as possible to help their Google ranking for relevant search queries. The more Google knows, the easier it is for them to show it to the right people. A businesses’ online identity is therefore significantly improved as part of a location-based marketing strategy. Once a Google My Business listing is created, this generates a Google Maps location which synchronises with Google Search to enhance searchability. Google My Business complements a businesses’ website by giving them an extra marketing presence through a Google listing, which can drive more traffic to the website or convert people into customers without them even needing to visit the website. It provides a snapshot of your business.

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With over 90% of the search engine market, it is important for businesses that they are easily found through
Google searches. With Google My Business, Google made it easier for businesses to rank on their search engine
by introducing Google My Business.
It is a free tool for businesses to better manage their online presence by providing information about their
business that is shown in Google search results. This includes information such as their location, contact
information, photos, customer reviews and products/services they provide. For a business to create a Google
My Business account, they first need a Google account.
Providing as much information as possible to help their Google ranking for relevant search queries. The more
Google knows, the easier it is for them to show it to the right people.
WHAT IS GOOGLE MY BUSINESS?

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Google My Business profiles enable potential customers to find, learn about, and engage with businesses.
Users can list all their business attributes to highlight what they do and their unique and desirable benefits,
including information useful to consumers such as whether there is Wi-Fi or disability access.
The key benefit of creating a Google My Business profile is to capture more customers who search for a service
like they offer on Google search or maps. Similarly, to social media or a website, it is another marketing and lead
generation tool.
A businesses’ local search ranking is enhanced through posting regular content and having relevant and useful
information to the My Business account. Google’s algorithm considers activity and quality of information as well
as proximity and relevance to the search query. A higher ranking in search results means higher visibility and
more likelihood of customers finding them.
THE BENEFITS OF GOOGLE MY BUSINESS

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Name, location and phone number - The business name
should be identical to what is used on store signage and
other marketing. Add your physical location of your store, so
customers know where to find you. If you do not have a
physical brick-and-mortar location, the location of the
business can be switched off.
Adding a service area means the business will still show up in
relevant local searches.
A high number of people making search queries on Google
Maps via mobile phones, so it is important to list your phone
number so customers can contact you to make bookings or
ask questions.
Website - Make sure the website (if there is one, which there
should be) is included. One of the key benefits of a My
Business profile is the ability to send more traffic to the
website to convert more customers. It is not often people
are going to decide to purchase from a My Business profile
unless they are looking for something on the go such as a
café or gas station nearby.
Hours - Add the hours that the business is physically open or
taking appointments and update them if they change. If
customers know you are open, it will encourage them to visit
your physical store.
OPTIMISING YOUR PROFILE

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OPTIMISING YOUR PROFILE
Category - Over 80% of My Business views are through discovery searches for a product/service category rather
than searching for a business name, so choosing the right category for your business will help to attract the
most appropriate customers. You can choose secondary categories, but again make sure they are relevant.
Add Products and Services - By adding all your products and services to your profile, this will tell potential
customers exactly what you do and what your specialities are. It also adds relevant keyword terms to your
profile to improve your ranking on Google searches. Include the product or service name, description, and
price if applicable. Link these products/services to be purchased at the website’s store if you have one.
From the business description - The description of your business is included in the ‘From the business’ section.
Try and use all the available 750 characters, with key information in the first 250 characters.

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OPTIMISING YOUR PROFILE
Posting regularly with updates and photos - A My Business profile can be used to post about a variety of things
such as business announcements, offers, and events. Posting content on your My Business page is like blogging
on your website for SEO or posting on social media. The aim is to provide as much quality and detailed
information about your business as possible, to try and connect with searchers.
Posting regularly (at least once a week) will increase your Google ranking, and increase the number of actions
taken by consumers who find your profile. Some posts will be viewable on Google search or Maps.
Adding photos regularly will help a My Business page to perform better by positively impacts your ranking.
businesses with photos on their My Business profile receive 42% more requests for driving directions via Google
Maps and 35% more clicks through to their websites than those without any.

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Customer Reviews - Positive reviews can influence potential customers who are researching your business.
They also increase your businesses’ visibility in search results, so try and encourage customers to make reviews.
Reviews influence consumer decision-making, so reviews are a key ranking factor in the My Business algorithm.
On Google searches, often the first results are those with multiple reviews and a high rating.
Questions and answers (Q&A) - monitor your Q&A, as anybody can ask, and anyone can answer questions.
Questions and answers that contain keywords can help improve your profile's ranking for that keyword.
Messaging - Over 80 percent of people use their phone or tablet for local search, so being able to conveniently
message from their device to your My Business profile is a fantastic opportunity. Businesses can only reply to
customers through the Google My Business app.
OPTIMISING YOUR PROFILE

8. Daniel Hopper
Marketing Specialist - BYB MARKETING
#50WEEKSOFMARKETING
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