After signing up, it is important to get your listing verified, as verification proves that you’re a genuine business. Without a verification, you are always at the risk of getting your listing removed. Verify your GMB account through your business email, phone, local SEO agency, or any other means that Google offers.
Optimize Your GMB Listing
Placing your business appropriately in Google My Business is important for visibility in the maps and searches related to your products/services. You have the option of selecting up to 3 categories.
Enhance Your Business Description
Your business description is prime SEO real estate providing Google better information about what you do. Craft an engaging overview that uses relevant keywords naturally to rank for searches related to your niche, offerings, location, and more. Avail the services of a local SEO company for better, expert services to avoid taking any risks.
Add Photos and Videos
Upload exterior and interior photos showing customers what your space and offerings look like. Try capturing photos highlighting products, menu items, event spaces, staff, signage, and anything conveying the customer experience.
Insert a Google Map
Having a Google Map visually highlighting your exact location on your website boosts SEO authority significantly. The most effortless method is implanting a basic Google Map on your Contact Us page with a map marker and label at your business address. If your budget allows, work with a developer to incorporate an interactive map into your website’s footer or contact section.
This shows your location viscosity across platforms. It also helps distinguish you from your online rivals trying to rank for your branding keywords through black hat tactics, for example, identical GMB listings.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews on Google carry more credibility than almost anything in encouraging local search visibility. Aspire for at least 20 current 5-star ratings. This achieves the “Loved by Customers” badge and enhances favorability in the local algorithm.
Request positive reviewers to leave their feedback through email follow-ups, and printed/digital receipts. Incentivize reviews through discounts and social media shoutouts for the most pleasing testimonials.
Your customer review efforts don’t stop once the good ratings start flowing in. You need to monitor reviews continually and respond to negative reviews professionally.
Set Google alerts on your business name and regularly check your GMB listing for new comments. Address less than 5-star ratings politely, apologizing for letdowns and making things right when reasonable. Show you care with the customer-centric approach. And the most important factor to consider is that you shouldn't forget to thank happy customers for their happy reviews. This personal touch earns major loyalty points.
Publish Local Content
Increasing local SEO optimization strength requires going beyond Google strategies like optimizing your actual website content. Craft dedicated pages targeting placement for popular searches related to your products plus your city, neighborhood, street, etc.
Local Citation Building
Outside your digital presence, real-world networking like local citation building or local link building remain crucial for local authority and brand awareness. Look for possibilities to land neighborhood press features, interviews on hyperlocal sites, backlinks from local directories, citations on business roundup lists, and member profiles through professional groups and associations.
Summary
Local SEO requires mastering both digital and real-world marketing elements for local search visibility. Following this 7-step checklist or even employing the services of local SEO agency will help you level up your local search game and will help you achieve higher website traffic, keyword right, and, most significantly, beneficial new customer growth.
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