‘Google My Business’ The Key To Boosting Your Local SEO

If you're a local service-based business, you know how important it is to rank high in local search ranking. After all, most people searching for local businesses are looking for something specific: a product or service they need in their area. That's where Google My Business comes in. 

GMB is a free tool that allows local businesses to manage their online presence on Google search. By creating and verifying a business profile, businesses can control how they appear in search results and on Google Maps. Business owners can use GMB to post updates and specials, respond to customer reviews, promote the business location and monitor their online reputation (such as positive reviews). And because Google is the most popular search engine, appearing prominently in local search results can dramatically increase foot traffic and leads. For these reasons, local businesses should take advantage of Google My Business to boost their local SEO.

Ensuring your Google My Business listing is optimised to stand out from the competition is essential. You can do a few key things to confirm your listing is as effective as possible. 

One of the most important things you can do when setting up your local business on Google My Business is to choose the correct category. The category you select will determine how your business appears in relevant searches, and it can also affect your ranking in local search engines, so it's essential to choose one that accurately reflects what your business does. You can select a primary category and up to four additional categories, so take some time to consider which ones are most relevant. Remember that you can always change your categories later if you need to, so don't worry if you're not entirely sure at first. 

With some thought and care, you can ensure that your local business is categorised correctly and positioned for success.

Another vital thing to do is to add relevant keywords to your description. When people are searching for businesses like yours, they'll often use keywords or phrases that describe what they're looking for. Including these keywords in your description will make you more likely to appear in relevant search results. For example, if someone is searching for "plumbers in [your city]," then you'll want to include the keyword "plumber" in your description.

Include Photos And Videos

People love visuals, so it's always a good idea to include photos and videos with your listing. One way you can do this is to add photos and videos to your Google business profile. This will not only help potential customers to see what your business looks like and get a sense of what you have to offer but adding photos and videos can help to improve your listing's ranking in search results. This is because Google's algorithm considers the engagement that listings generate, and photos and videos are more likely to develop attention than text-only listings. As a result, taking the time to add photos and videos to your Google posts can be a great way to boost your local SEO.

Do You Think You’re Ready?

As a local service-based business, it's essential to dominate your local SEO—and Google My Business is a great way to do that. By claiming and optimising your Google business listing, you can make it easier for potential customers to find your business information—including your address, phone number, hours of operation, and even photos and videos. And best of all, it's relatively simple and only takes a few minutes! So if you're not already using GMB to boost your local SEO, now is the time to get started!