LOCAL SEO

It is critical and necessary to claim (or create) your business listing and then verify it with Google (GMB). Once your listing is claimed and verified, you can begin editing information like your business hours, other hours, business descriptions, categories and more. Everything starts with a claimed and verified listing!

We cannot express this one enough – so often – business owners and even “experts” jump straight to the meaty parts of Local SEO – however, having a listing profile which is optimized will help your visitors find the information they need quickly! Optimization is simply focusing on the Profile Info elements and making sure that you have completed each element if they apply. Having a complete description, business hours, holiday schedule, etc. helps ensure that customers will find the most accurate version of your business on Google.

Photos help users learn more about your business – your products, services or offerings. Posting photos helps Google connect your business with users in a way that allows a visual representation of what you do! UGC (user generated content) can also impact your profile – users can add their own photos of your business – this helps other understand more details about your company. The more photos you have, the better your odds of generating more business. There are a number of photo categories – inside, outside, at work and more… You should have photos in each section. Adding photos regularly helps Google connect you with potential opportunities – boosting your SEO. Use EXIF data to optimize each photo further – boosting your local SEO by adding specific GEO tags and keywords.

Often times, Google Posts are either forgotten or simply unused. However, GMB drives more than 3 BILLION actions per month for businesses in the Local SEO market. Posts are a way to provide updates, offers, events and MORE! Adding posts helps keep you listing profile fresh, adding content provides context for Local SEO searches and ultimately helps Google connect their users with your business. Posts should be added regularly to ensure you are abiding by the consistency rules… Note – Update posts expire after 7 days – so make sure you are tasking yourself to add new content weekly!

Reviews can help impact a business in both positive and negative ways. Businesses with Google reviews will place higher and the higher quality of the reviews – impact the results and likelihood of users connecting with your business. Google does not oppose review solicitation / invitations as long as you abide by their rules. In fact – once you have logged into GMB – on the location Dashboard – there is a review link generator. This can be used to create a short link that you can share with clients after completing a job, or if they have some into your business. Often, that short URL can be quickly converted into a QR Code and shared at the checkout stand or on the window as customers may be leaving a business! The more you engage customers for reviews – they more reviews you will get. Don’t forget to respond – even to bad reviews. Don’t take them personally – put yourself in the customers shoes and understand their points and work to get better!