I’m a big fan of Google My Business and believe every small business should have a GMB account, even if they don’t have a physical location.
To get you as excited as I am about this (currently) free advertising space from Google, I’m sharing a round-up of my favorite GMB tips, hacks and helpers.
Ready to get started? Let’s do the thing!
- Need a good overview on this topic? My Google My Business Facts to Amaze, Amuse and Use is the second-most-popular blog post on my site. #justsayin
- Not sure what it means to optimize a GMB? Here’s a great article from WordStream: 13 Essential Google My Business Optimizations for 2020. Be sure to check out the side-by-side comparison of a ho-hum GMB and an optimized listing.
- Images and GMBs are a match made in search heaven! If you add photos to your Google listing, you’ll perform better in search results — and some stats back this claim up:
- A BrightLocal study revealed that 60% of consumers said local search results with good images captured their attention and pushed them towards a decision.
- According to Search Engine Land, businesses with more than 100 images get 520% more calls than the average business, while those with just one image get 71% fewer. And businesses with more than 100 images get 1,065% more website clicks than the average business, while those with just one get 65% fewer.
- Wondering what sizes of images to use? Check out Brandify’s handy best practices round-up.
- Does setting up a listing seem overwhelming? I’ve found answers to several of my GMB questions on Google’s help page. If you get stuck setting up your account, this is the first place to go for answers.
This is my GMB listing if you care to give it a look.
In this video, I show you how easy it is to add a post (i.e., a status update, offer, event, etc.) to your Google My Business account.
TOP 6 TIPS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR GMB LISTING
- Check out every nook and cranny of the GMB admin (backend). You’ll find places where you can add that you’re a women-led, Black-owned or veteran-led business, a place to add products and services and what you charge for them — and much more.
- Post a status update (or sale or other notice) each week. These posts make your listing taller on the desktop view — and more space on a search page = more attention! (Google archives these pics after a week, BTW.)
- Photos and images are powerful partners for your GMB. Google will do some mini-scrapes of your online presence and decide what photos to add to your listing. But take the lead and add photos of your choosing. Studies show more pics = more engagement. Add your logo and your headshot photo, as the company owner, too.
- Ask people to review your business, as reviews are social proof. Make it easy for people to engage with your Google page by sharing the link to your reviews page on your website, in your email marketing and in other outreach you do to clients.
- If you offer packages or sell goods, you can post info and prices. I experimented with this feature and then took off the information since what I do and quote is more custom. But I’m thinking of trying out this GMB option again!
- If you’re a fellow data nerd, check out GMB’s Insights section. Because data is FUNdamental!
