The Ultimate Guide to Google My Business

The Ultimate Guide to Google My Business

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business (GMB) is a free and easy access tool for businesses. It helps in managing and optimizing your Business Profile on Google, including Search and Maps. Google My Business allows customers to locate businesses.

Let us first understand what a Business Profile means.

Business Profile is a Google term for Google business listing. Business Profiles appear on Google Maps and search engines.

                                          Business profile from the local results

Benefits of Google My Business

1. Google My Business increases your visibility. GMB is a tool that places your business on the map.

Google is one of the largest search engines. Google receives over 63,000 searches per second.  Google’s feature “near me” searches have increased twice over the past year. Without Google My Business,  you will miss out on a chance of being more visible in spite of all the other SEO techniques.

For example, if you search for  “Coffee shops in New York.” You will notice that a section of GMB listing appears before websites.

                                                            Examples of  Listings on the Google Map

2. Google My Business ensures online consistency.

Managing information consistently on GMB like working hours, websites, and street addresses will help customers locate you. If you change your location or use a new number for your business, they can effortlessly contact you.

3. Interact with your customers

You can respond to reviews from your customers and update photos of your business. Businesses with pictures in their Profiles receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps and 35% more clicks to your websites.

4. Google My Business helps gain customer insight.

Get customer insight from your Google My Business listing and apply it to improve your business.

Google My Business insights focus on how customers find your listings and take action. This data includes information like:

• The number of views.
• How customers find your listings.
• Actions customers take on your listings.
• Customer interactions with your GMB listing.

5. Google My Business Improves SEO

Google My Business is one of the most powerful SEO tools. Optimize your Google My Business to generate the best results.

The graph below shows the list of essential items you need to optimize your Google My Business for SEO rankings.

Google My Business is free.

Google My Business is free. You can optimize your profile to rank higher and gain visibility. You can have multiple listings under one account. Focus on the accuracy and value of your listing. 

GMB allows consumers to easily discover and compare businesses relevant to their needs.

HOW TO SETUP YOUR GMB PAGE IN 13 EASY STEPS

Step 1: Google My Business’ Create Page (google.com/business)

Visit GMB ‘create’ page and search for your business name to ensure that your business name is unique and not pre-registered.

Click the pop-up if already registered, or click the ‘add your business to Google’ to register.

Step 2: Enter Your Business Name

Enter your unique business name. It is essential to avoid keyword stuffing and special characters in the title to prevent your listing from being suspended.

Step 3: Choose your business category

A business category helps Google suggest your business when customers search. For example, if you specify your business as a pizza restaurant, Google will show your business as local restaurants. 

To select a business category, type in the kind of business you own, then click the option from the pop-up menu that matches your business. Click “Next.”

Step 4: Add a Location

The next step enables you to choose whether you want to add a location to show your site on Google Maps.

Step 5: Add Your Address

The next step allows you to enter your business contact information. This step is essential if you want customers to find your business on Google.

Step 6: Is your business listed on GMB?

At this stage, confirm whether your business and address exist on GMB listings. If none of the options listed are your business, then you can proceed with the next step.

Step 7: Choose to Serve customers Outside your Location.

This next step asks, “Do you also serve customers outside this location?” “This location” is referring to the immediate area surrounding the address you provided earlier. 

If you only serve customers locally, click, “No, I don’t.” If you also serve customers outside your location, you need to specify, so people searching for your business in those areas can  find you. 

To do so, click “Yes, I also serve them outside my location,” then click the “Next” button.

Step 8: Select the Areas That You Serve

This next step allows you to “Add the areas you serve,” meaning you can specify in what ZIP codes, country(ies) state(s), or major city(ies) you are available to serve customers. 

Below the “Search and select areas,” begin typing the areas in which you serve customers. When the location you specify appears in the pop-up menu, click it to add it to your list of service areas.

If you serve more than one area, repeat the process to add more places to your list. Once you have added all your service locations, click “Next.”

Step 9: Add Your Contact Information

Google My Business asks you for more business contact information, including your business phone number and website URL. Enter this information so customers will know how to contact your business. 

If you don’t have a website, click “I don’t need a website” or “Get a free website based on your info.”

Step 10: Updates and Recommendations

You need to choose whether you want updates and recommendations from Google on your GMB page. It is recommended you choose this option; however, it is your choice.

Step 11: Finish and Manage Your Listing.

You need to click ‘finish’ to get your GMB page. All that is left now is verifying your listings.

Step 12: Verify Your Listings

You’ll be asked to “Choose a way to verify” your Google My Business profile. You can verify it via email or phone, or instantly via the Google search console. 

While these are quick options, they’re not available to all businesses. However, all businesses can verify via postcard.

To access this option, click “None of these options work for me,” then click the “Mail” button that appears next.

You will be taken to a confirmation screen that assures you “a postcard is coming” and you should receive it within a few days. Click “Continue.”

Once you receive your postcard in the mail, sign back into your Google My Business account. 

Click “Verify Location” from the left-hand dashboard menu. In the code field, enter the five-digit verification code from your postcard. Click “Submit.” 

With this, your account will be verified.

Step 13: Your GMB Dashboard

Now you have verified your listing, you will see your GMB dashboard and be able to complete your GMB profile.

Conclusion

Creating Google My Business ensures more visibility for your business. Make the best use of Google My Business that will help you optimize your business for free. 

Update your GMB page regularly and it will help in your company’s marketing, branding and sales.

Want to know more about GMB or Digital Marketing for your company? 

Contact:  Blue Dragon Digital Marketing and get a chance to hear from our experts!

Guide to Google Maps Listing and Google My Business for Dummies

                      Google Maps Logo

Google My Business (GMB) page and Google Maps listing is a great way to get your business listed on Google. It is an essential asset for any business owner.

                          Google My Business Logo

Businesses pay marketing agencies like Blue Dragon Digital Marketing in Bhutan to get their listings at the top of search engine results.

Do you want to know how to claim a Google Maps Listing and Google My Business (GMB)? Are you unsure if you need a physical address to use GMB or what if you work from home and want to hide your address from searchers?

Are you lost, don’t worry you are on the right page. I have written all you need to know about Google Maps Listing and Google My Business below.

Here are some Dos and Don’ts of Google Maps listing information:

 Dos 

1. Provide accurate information

                             “Accuracy Builds Credibility”

The information you provide on Google Listing is the first contact your clients have with you. The clients look for essential information about your company: phone numbers, email addresses, location, and working hours. Wrong information will make your business lose potential clients.

2. Relevancy is key in ranking your business.

                        Relevance – Make it or break it.

GML allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google. Businesses need to use correct and relevant keywords on your Google listing profile to rank high on Google. 

3. Add the main keywords in your title.

                          The keyword is the key

The title is significant and should always have the name of your business. Add the main keywords in your titles, such as the primary service you provide and your business location.

E.g., If your business name is Rydges Private Limited and it is in the hotel industry, use the title ‘The Rydges Hotel and Restaurant in Sydney.’

4. Verify your listing

                            Verify your business

An unverified business listing is like buying a car without any documents. You risk someone (competitors) taking it away from you, and you won’t be able to edit your business listing profile.

Don’ts 

5. Keywords Stuffing

                         Example of Keyword stuffing you should avoid.

It is against Google’s guidelines to stuff keywords, and it will suspend listings that do this. Focus on the main keywords and keep the secondary keywords for your website pages.

E.g., Avoid keyword stuffing: Rydges Hotel, Motel, Bed, and breakfast, Restaurant in Sydney. 

6. Outdated Information

          Keep your Google Maps Listing Updated

Keep your information such as phone numbers, opening hours, and locations up to date. Google wants its users to have the best experience and will not rank their listings high if they have outdated information.

7. Fake locations for ranking

                            Beware of Fake Location

To rank high in multiple cities, companies that offer online services create multiple fake listings. Fake location listings are against Google’s Terms of Service. You will also get negative reviews from unhappy customers.

       5 Benefits of optimizing your Google Maps Listing:

                 Optimize your listing

A Google Maps listing gives your business the following benefits:

1. “Near me”: Customers can find your business faster when they use Google to find local products using ‘near me.’
2. Content Posts: Outlet to share your upcoming business events in posts.
3. Customer Reviews:  See product reviews, positive reviews help in ranking up GMB listing in search results.
4. Product Reviews: Another outlet to collect product reviews, the more you get positive reviews, the more it will impact the ranking of your map listing in search results.
5. Backlinks: Creates a backlink to your website that improves your Search Engine Optimization results.

Find your business and claim your company via Google My Business:

             Claim your business before someone else does

1. Open your Google account and search your business name in Google to see similar businesses to yours. If your business name shows up, check your contact details. After this, you will need to verify your business via postcard in the mail or via phone call.

2. Verify and optimize your listing. After you get your verification code, sign back into your Google My Business Account, enter the verification code that will give you access to Google My Business Management Centre.

Consider your listing as a mini version of your webpage and optimize by including:

• business name 
• address
•  phone numbers
• category (the type of business- this is very important)
• working hours
• URLs (website/ social media handles)
• features (Free Wi-Fi, Smoking Room) 
• add personal and appealing bio/ description

3. If you have multiple locations for your business, you can ‘add a location’ to the same Google business account on the left side of the screen.
4. Encourage reviews from your customers. Reviews are instrumental in the decision-making process for customers. You can use this to improve your services.

5. Publish ‘Posts’ to grow content on your Google Listing. In 2017, Google introduced a new feature for businesses to manage their listings. You can use ‘posts,’ which are simple links with an image, description, and call to action button. This feature allows businesses to highlight specific events coming up, and it improves ranking search results. 

Do you need to have a physical address to use Google My Business (GMB)?

  Google sends your verification number via mail or phone call

Yes, you must add a physical address to use GMB. You need to enter a valid mailing address for your business. You can hide the address from the public. 

When you create a Google account for business, Google makes you fill out some forms with personal details. You have the option to use ‘Service Area’ (companies choose the distance to a specific area to avail their services to customers) 

What do I do if I work from home and do not want my address visible on GMB?

      Hide your location and work from home

If you work from home, you wouldn’t want your address to be visible on Google business listings for the world to see. Google knows that it is a safety concern, so they have options for you to safely run your business.

As a business owner, you have to set up your Google account to create a business profile. 

Here are 9 steps to create a Google places profile without publishing your location:

1. Sign in to Google places for business with a valid Google account.
2. Enter the necessary information and click on ‘Find business Information’; this step helps you find it on a search engine.
3. Use ‘Service Places’ to state your location on Google maps.
4. Select ‘yes, this business sees customers at their locations’ in the service area in settings.  It gives options that allow you to hide your mailing address.
5. Click ‘Do not show my business address on my Maps listings’ in the expanded form.
6. Select ‘Distance from one location’ and enter the number of miles you are willing to travel to meet customers. Or select ‘Lists of areas served’ and enter a zip code, city, and state. This information will appear on your profile in the place of your address. 
7. Remember that your listing is an advertisement. You can edit this information later on, to keep the listing up to date.
8. Click the ‘Submit’ button, and this will take you to the verification process.
9. Make sure all the information is correct and then click the ‘Finish’ button. Google will send you a personal identification number. After you receive the PIN, follow the instructions provided to complete the verification process.

Conclusion

You can list your business on Google Maps Listing and Google My Business without publishing your location. You can use the Service Area option to conceal your address if you work from home. GMB and GML have never been easier to use for retail purposes on Google.

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  Cheat Sheet on Google My Business strategies!

Google my business – local business listing tool

Google my Business, the free, user-friendly tool for businesses or organizations to list on google.  Millions of people are searching for businesses like yours every day; displaying your GMB page on search results increases the probability of lead generation and conversions. Google My Business (GMB) has the following features:

•Managing Information– Editing your business profile such as the address, hours of operation, and the website link will help the viewers in real-time.

•Customer Engagement– Being prompt by responding to reviews, and messaging your customers, will help you understand the customer’s journey and your service quality.

•Easy advertisement– Uploading photos, offering discounts, and sharing your unique business profile will help you in marketing, branding, and sales.

•Data and Statistics (Insights) – From the home tab, one can easily track customer interaction’s (quantity and quality). Insights on the customer inflow (source) will help understand and expand your business.  

 •Real-time alert- GMB instantly notifies when a customer reviews or comments on GMB profile. 

•User-friendly Management– one dashboard can manage multiple locations, and businesses can also have various admins to work on the business listing.

GMB Location- Fastest way for improving local search rankings

Google maps! Easy navigation to your business address.

The location and directions to your business are vital for the customers. Adding locations on GMB enables Google to direct customers to your site respective to their location searches. For example, The Best coffee shop in Thimphu.

People often find it difficult to manage their business locations on Google My Business. Here is the ultimate beginner’s guide to the GMB profile with multiple locations.

01. Adding a new or editing an existing business address

1. Sign in to Google My Business.
2. Click add a new location or manage an existing location.
3. Click “Info” from the menu.
4. Click the “address” field.
5. Enter your address following the guidelines.
6. Click “Apply.”

02. Adding a business location to Google maps (easy navigation)

1. Go to Google My Business. Click “Get on Google”
2. Search Your Business with name and address.
3. Select or Add Your Business.
4. Click on your business listing from suggestions.
5. Verify Your Business.
6. Confirm your Business.

03. Creating a new location group (managing multiple locations)

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Click Manage locations.
3. Click Create location group.
4. Enter the name of your group.
5. Click Create.
6. Start adding locations.

04. Adding a new location to the location group

1. Sign in to Google My Business.
2. Click Manage locations.
3. Choose a location group from the drop-down menu.
4. Click “Add location.”
5. Enter the business details and Information.
6. Create the new listing by following the prompts.

05. Add location to multiple location group

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Click Manage locations.
3. Choose a location group.
4. Click the location to edit.
5. Select Users.
6. Click Invite new users, then choose to add one of your groups.
7. Select the location group and add roles.

06. Transfer location to the location group

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Click Manage locations.
3. Choose a location group.
4. Check box the location for transfer.
5. Select “Transfer Location” from the Actions drop-down menu.
6. Select a location group to transfer location.
7. Click Transfer. 

07. View location ID

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Click Manage locations.
3. Choose a location group from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Details View details and manage users.
5. The ID and other details of the “location group” will be displayed. 

08. Delete location Group

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Click Manage locations from the drop-down menu.
3. Click View details, manage users, and delete the “location group.”

 Benefits of connecting all GMB Accounts under one business entity

1. Easy login- It’s a burden to log in to multiple accounts.
2. Secure (P&C) – Sharing login credentials will create issues when an employee resigns.
3. Having multiple Google Business accounts for one primary business entity can also confuse the search engine itself.

How to edit Google my Business Categories

Business Categories give relevant search results.

Google My Business assists your business by primarily targeting local customers. Setting a business category improves search results. There are 3942 Google My Business categories as of 2020.|

Note**Google allows you to select one primary category and ten secondary categories for your business.

Guide to choosing the best business category

1. Be concise and specific.
2. Add the least categories to describe the core business.
3. Describe your business, not your services.

Adding a custom business category on GMB?

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Open the location you want to manage.
3. Click Edit. To edit your primary category.
4. Select your new category. To add another category.
5. Click Add another category.
6. After you make your changes, click Apply.

Short Name on GMB

Short name feature to shorten the URL with custom words

GMB profiles serve as landing pages to get leads, advertisements, and customer engagement. However, it was not professional to share long links or Universal Resource Locator (URL). Short Names were released to help the business share GMB profile or post with specific, concise links.

 

Creating short names on GMB

1. Sign in to GMB.
2. Select the location to create a short name.
3. Click “Info” then “Add profile short name.”
4. Enter your short name (up to 32 characters).
5. Click “Apply.”

Q&A section on GMB

Sample of Q&A on GMB

It is a forum for Q&A in the GMB world. Anyone can ask questions and answer others’ queries. There are no limitations on putting up inquiries and solutions.

Incorporate Q&A section on GMB
How to achieve an interactive Q&A section? Don’t wait for customers to ask questions. You can start asking and answering questions on your own GMB profile. Providing solutions to common problems for potential customers in advance creates a good impression for your business.

Benefits of nurturing your profile

1. Attract Customers
2. Increase the possibility of showing in search results
3. Save Time
4. Meet customer expectations
5. Gain insights

Things to remember when you post Q&A

1. Seed your profile (provide enough information)
2. Research and answer all the question
3. Correct inaccuracies
4. Be aware of spam

Wrap Up

Take your business online using the GMB tool

Google My Business is an essential tool for promoting your business profile. It helps in marketing, branding, and sales within the locality. Not listing your business on GMB is an uninviting gesture to the potential customers!

Want to set up GMB?
Click below to get more insights on setting up GMB.

Checklists to Optimize your Google My Business Profile

      Google my business(GMB)

Four out of five people on search engines are looking for local information and services they can easily access. Almost 46% of consumers seek local knowledge and information on search engines. The search engine result pages show organic results and also includes local packs (local GMB listings). Google My Business(GMB) allows businesses to display their brands locally. GMB helps companies put their business profile above search results and gaining more visibility.

People often rely on search engines to find places where they can satisfy their needs. GMB provides information to people on locations, directions, contact information, and reviews on local businesses. If your business is not on GMB, your competitor is! The simpler it is to locate you, the more likely they will ask for your assistance.

1. Importance of labels in Google My Business

       Adding titles to your business profile

Labels are tags that help you organize your multi-location businesses. Google allows you to add ten labels per location, and the labels cannot exceed 50 characters, including spaces. For example, you can use regions such as the east coast or west coast to label your business location. Labels are not mandatory. 

To add labels to your GMB listings, go to your GMB account. The advanced section under the infobox takes you to labels. Assign as many labels as you can for every GMB listing.

Although labels do not impact your GMB performance, it helps you organize your multiple listings. When it comes to optimizing your Google My Business account, labels help you with various internal business management. 

2. What are the highlights/attributes to GMB?

Highlights/attributes in your GMB profile

Attributes are essential for consumers to learn about your offer. Facts are customer-friendly characteristics of your business that benefits your consumer—for example, Free Wifi inside the premises. Attributes constitute a significant aspect that makes your business customer-friendly and offers quality services. Attributes are optional.

Attributes allow you to provide your consumers with options, but subjective features where people comment and rate your business rely on the users who have used your business. Attributes appear below the “Hour of Operation” information on your GMB profile. Attributes are a major aspect that attracts your consumer’s interest. To add attributes, go to the infobox and find “Attributes.” There are lists of attributes, and all attributes are not applicable as it depends on your business.

                       2.1 How to add attributes to your GMB listings

Adding attributes to GMB profile

The highlights/attributes are found in the info tab once you have selected your business location. Scroll down to the option of Highlights and find attributes relevant to your business category. 

Attributes help you stand out from your competition. GMB is continuously adding new attributes, so updating your highlights is important.

3. Importance of call tracking numbers and maintaining NAP consistency
   
   Company Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP)

Research shows that almost 70% of google users call a business from GMB NAP.  A call tracking number is a local or a toll-free number used by companies for marketing. Call tracking Numbers are very effective, and it projects customers preferring local businesses. Call tracking gathers information about individuals who call for your assistance and the number of calls you have received. When Google crawls for answers, call tracking helps your site appear on the GMB listings. With AI equipped in your call tracking numbers, you can also gather information regarding the quality and conversion outcome of the calls.

To create a call tracking number on your GMB, you will find the phone number section in the infobox. It allows you to put a primary number and an additional number. The primary number mostly consists of your call tracking number, and the additional number is for your standard business contact details.

3.1 NAP consistency

When it comes to local search engines, business owners need to convince Google that their site is most relevant for users. NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. It is essential to maintain NAP consistency as local search results, and your ranking depends on it. NAP makes it easier for Google to locate your business on the web. Having full NAP information and mentioning it across your website increases your business’s visibility on search results and rankings. 

Your NAP must be accurate and up-to-date on every listing. 80% of customers don’t rely on local businesses who are inconsistent with business names and contact details. 

Checklists in maintaining NAP consistency.

• Proofread your NAP data
• Update your NAP info 
• Use local schema markup for your business. (Evaluates your NAP and appear in snippets)
• Update your business directories 
• Keep track of social media.

4. Essentials for your GMB optimization

Optimization of GMB profile

GMB requires business profiles that stand out and get listed on search ranking. Your GMB listing is a description of what you have to offer and highlights your best qualities. It enables your potential customers to find and engage with you quickly. It is essential to complete your GMB profile. 

For your GMB listing to reach the optimum level, make sure your business profile is active and updated. Complete every section of your GMB account and be prompt to answer reviews and inquiries. Improve your business profile by adding your product pictures and, more importantly, selecting every applicable attribute. Write sound and complete business description. 

Your GMB with an optimized business profile helps you attract consumers over your competitors. In GMB strategy, provide as much information about your business, attributes, and quality services. 

Now you know

In a nutshell, GMB listings are business profiles that appear on search result pages. If you have a well-maintained GMB account, your business will appear on the top three GMB listings. Have a GMB profile that accurately represents your business with applicable attributes and update your profile weekly. Maintain your business profile well, and you will experience its benefits. 

Visit our website Blue Dragon Digital Marketing, to learn more about Google my business and optimize your digital marketing strategy. 

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How to Post and Auto Publish Your Blog on Google My Business

Google My Business (GMB) logo

Google My Business (GMB) is a free online tool that helps businesses appear on Google Maps and search results. GMB enables businesses to receive reviews and attract new customers by sharing business information. It manages all tools (Google+, Maps, Google search, YouTube, and Google Analytics) to provide better experience for customers. 

According to Jayson DeMers, Forbes, “GMB is essential because businesses can reach a broad customer and increase their visibility in search engines”. 

Here are the steps to post and auto-publish blogs to GMB;

1. Four steps on how to post your blog on Google My Business

Posting on GMB

1.  Open your Google My Business profile

Overview profile of Google My Business

Log in to your Google My Business page. If you haven’t created a GMB account, it is essential to create an account to reach and attract larger customers. Google My Business account integrates with different social media accounts such as; Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, and etc. Sign in to the Google My Business website or use the Google My Business application to create an account.

Follow this link on how to create Google My Business (What is Google My Business).

2. Write the best post

Select the best post

On the left bar of your GMB page, select the Post button, and write the blog you want to publish.

Google My Business features images, texts, and call-to-action. 

Here are different features of GMB while posting;

1. What’s New: It announces the general information of the business. For example; Business’s trending services or products 

2. Events: It helps to list your business’s current and upcoming events. The option consists of time and date for the start or end of your post.

3. Offers: The feature announces the limited-time coupons, discounts, promotional activities, or business sales.

4. Products: This helps businesses to feature one or more available products. It is available in YOUR PRODUCT TAB.

Note: GMB offers a COVID-19 update tab to allow businesses to update their working hours and social distancing protocols.

3. Make adjustments to your post

Adjustment is essential

GMB posts need not have to be flashy to attract the audiences. Customers can seek information on what is being offered.  Here are 4 tips on how to adjust your post;

1. Text

Google My Business limits the post to 1500 characters. It ensures the post to be short, valuable, and direct for the readers. Try not to use more than 150 characters for your post title to gain the reader’s attention.

Tips: In GMB, Hash-tags are considered irrelevant, but brand emoji is recommended for the post to stand out.

2. Visuals

Images and videos you upload should be professional. Try to select the picture that meets your blog

.

It is essential to select a good picture that fits your post because it is the first thing the audience will notice. Showcase your best images to turn searchers into customers.

3. Call-To-Action (CTA)

Google My Business offers a range of CTA buttons. CTA options are available on your blog post; Learn more, Order online, Buy Now, etc.

It is important to link to a landing page, and it must be scannable and seamless for audiences. 

IV.  Data range

If you are listing and events or offers, you should specify the correct times and dates.

Tips: As per Google, if your post is not specifying times and dates, the post is considered archived after seven days.

4. Publish

Click the Preview menu to view your post before publishing. After you are confident with the post, hit the Publish option to upload. The audience can see the post in two places:

1. On mobile

The Post will update on an Overview of your company’s Business Profile (in both search and maps).

2. On desktops

Posts will share on the ‘From the Owner’ section of the Business Profile (Search and Maps)

B. How to Auto-Publish your blog to Google My Business

Among many ways, OneUp is the easiest way to auto-publish your blog in Google My Business.

Here are steps to auto-publish your blog to Google my Business:

1. Sign in to oneupapp.io and create your account.

Display of OneUp web page

2. Connect your post to different social media accounts. You can select multiple GMB accounts at once, or to Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Connecting to different social media

3. Click the schedule post and choose a category. Select the social media you want to post your blog.

Clicking schedule post on the menu bar

Displaying schedule post page

4.  Type in what you want to post. 

Writing in the description box

5. Select the Repeat option. It allows businesses to set GMB posts to repeat automatically at set intervals (once a week or a month). You can also set the expired date for the post.

Selecting the repeat post for your blog

6. Click ‘Post it now,’ or schedule the post for a future date. This button will ensure when you want viewers to read your blog. 

C. Is Auto-Publishing important for your business?

It is essential for businesses to schedule your blog. Here are 3 reasons why you have to schedule your blog;

• Connects different social media accounts: Auto-Publishing features enable businesses to connect to multiple social media accounts such as; Facebook, Google My Business, Twitter, LinkedIn, and etc. Businesses can share the same post to different media accounts within a few minutes.

• Auto-Publish on future date: It helps users to schedule their posts on future dates by selecting dates and times. On that date, it automatically publishes your information on linked social media platforms.

• Repeat post: The feature helps businesses to repeat their post after certain dates.

Wrap up

Google My Business is an online platform that allows businesses to manage Google maps and search results. You can auto-publish your blog on GMB and connect to various social media platforms by using OneUp tool. Sign up now to Google My Business and begin publishing your post/blog to reach a wider audience within minutes. Follow the above steps for a successful auto-publishing of your blog.

Get started here at www.bluedragondigitalmarketing.com to know more about other Digital Marketing Strategies.

8 Ways to Optimize your Google My Business Profile

                      Google My Business Profile is a useful tool in the local market

You are running a local business, and are trying to increase your share in the market. You always look for effective marketing strategies to attract potential customers to buy your goods or services. Many businesses don’t consider Google My Business profile is an essential tool.

Google My Business profile is a tool that helps you to gain local consumers and connect with your business online. It also improves your local Search Engine Optimization. Consumers search for things like “best hotels near me” and probably visit the hotel on the same day.

 GMB profile helps build your image and manage how local audiences see you in Google Search and Maps. It includes your business name and location. It allows you to respond and monitor customer’s reviews.

Q:  Why Is Google My Business Essential to the Local Businesses?

           It is essential to find effective strategies to improve your local SEO rankings for businesses. 70% of audiences conduct local searches and are likely to visit your business. 

Most of the consumers know about local businesses through online searches. Approximately more than 80% of consumers do searches through smartphones, either call or visit that business within 24 hrs.

8 ways to optimize your Google My Business Profile.

Optimizing your Google My Business profile is the best way to increase your share in the local market. The search engine uses the details of your local business in Google My Business. Optimizing your GMB profile is easy. Here are 8 simple strategies to optimize your GMB profile.

1. Get good NAP (Name, Address, and Phone number) on your Google My Business profile:

Name, address, and phone number in your GMB

NAP is an acronym for Name, Address, and Phone Number. It is vital for optimizing your profile. It is also crucial to keep your business information consistent and relevant to the business. 

2. The Short Name Business:

A short name helps in simplifying the customer reviewing processes

Your business name is Woolsworth, and your customers refer to it as Woolies. Google calls that as your short name, and you claim it to be exclusively yours. Use your short name for your GMB URL that will be easily found by your customers. 

Click the link below to learn easy keys to create a short name for your GMB

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w75mW89U_5IOPUABGI19SsuY4iHvvDkAogcw2aROOkU/edit?ts=5fa9028e

3. Write Good Business Descriptions: 

Good Business description 

Google allows you to use 750 characters in your business description. Share useful and relevant information about your business with customers. It includes the types of products and services that you offer. 

Writing how you started your business and your stories help the customers decide whether your product can be a solution to their problem or not. Consumers tend to draw their own conclusions about your business without a good description. Adding your company’s mission and vision in GMB is also an excellent way to make a compelling business description.

3. Choose the Right GMB Categories and Sub-categories:

Category and subcategory in your GMB

Category and subcategory are essential features of local SEO. For example, if you sell Burgers, you will choose “Burger restaurant” as your category, so people looking for Burger or Burger restaurants can see your business in local search engines.

The subcategory is as crucial as the category, if your business provides multiple services.  E.g., you have a Burger restaurant that sells pizza. In this case, Burger restaurant is your category, and pizza is your subcategory. Choosing the right type of category and subcategories helps your business to stand out.

5. Take and use amazing photographs

Attract more customers with beautiful images of your business

Take interior and exterior shots of your business, as well as 360-degree views.  The images are significant because more than 50% of customers say they fancy search results with compelling pictures. Put at least three photos of your interior, exterior, the products you sell, and that of your team.

Research shows that companies with more than 100 pictures on Google My Business receive approximately 500% more calls, 2700% more direction requests, and 1,060% more website clicks than other businesses without strong images.

6. Monitor and Respond to Reviews:

Respond to the reviews

Reviews are essential for both, business and prospective customers. Customers go through at least ten reviews before they decide to trust the company. People see these reviews as more authentic than word of mouth.

Waiting for customers to write reviews is not enough; you have to be proactive and request them to drop feedback on your business. It is a good business strategy to monitor and respond to those reviews—for example, a policy of thanking consumers who give a positive review.

7. Consistency in Publishing the Posts:

Consistency is the key to successful digital marketing

Consistent Posts in your GMB provide your customers with information and updates regularly about your business. Consistent posting encourages more engagements. Google monitors the frequency of your engagement as a business owner. Relevant posts increase your visibility and rankings in local searches, and they will be influential in attracting more customers to your business.

8. Questions & Answers feature in your GMB:

The question and Answer feature have a significant impact on user experience.

The Question & Answer feature in your profile is beneficial for your company and your customers. You can create a storehouse consisting of both questions and answers that are frequently asked and searched.

Research and use the insights of customer data to know commonly asked questions. By responding to your customer’s problem, you can understand the customers better.

To Conclude

We have discussed 8 ways to optimize your GMB profile that helps your business to rank top in the local search results. Use these practical ways to optimize your GMB profile, that will help you gain more and enhance your local market exposure.

The optimization process is not a Rocket Science, it is simple and user-friendly even for the newcomers. Blue Dragon Digital Marketing is an experienced digital marketing company, and helps our customers to rank high on local search results and grow their business.

To know more about local SEO and optimizing your business for the top ranks

contact us today.

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