5 Ways Local Companies Can Use Their “Google My Business” Listing for Marketing

Google My Business (GMB) is a great way for local businesses to attract new customers. Here’s why.

Your Google My Business profile often shows up in Google’s search results linked to a map when people are searching for products or services near your location. Plus, your GMB listing almost always appears in the search results when someone searches on your company name.

Here are 5 ways to use your GMB profile to maximize your local presence and improve your overall marketing:

  1. Google Posts Can Appear on Google.com

Google posts are an easy way to keep local searchers updated on your business. This is a great way to drive more traffic to your website, which will ultimately improve your SEO (the organic search results) and keyword rankings. These posts appear within your GMB listing but can also appear directly in Google.com search results. You can post things like news, events, offers, and products.

Google Directions: How to Post

 

  1. Direct Messaging from Searchers on Google

GMB gives google.com users the option to direct message your business (if you’re set up). To use this feature, you can download the GMB app through the Apple App Store or Google Play store and set it up  – Search “gmb app download”.

Then, instead of filling out a lead form or contacting you, someone looking for a your company or your products or services can simply message you through the app. You also might find that customers who message you are more likely to convert, leading to increased sales and revenue over time.

  1. Update Your Information

The Info section in GMB is where you fill out your business info. Google changed the way Service Areas are selected recently and most businesses have not logged in and updated this. If you haven’t updated it, it shows “serves within ___ mile radius” but you should be selecting cities, states, neighborhoods, zip codes, etc.

Also, be sure to fill out the Services tab. It is a relatively new place where you can list your Services and a description about each. You will also want to ensure you have the “Business Description” and “Opened On” date filled out in this section.

  1. Get Reviews

While reviews are not new, it is still vitally important to get reviews. After all, more than 95% of customers admit to reading product and business reviews before making a purchase online. And just as important as getting reviews, is responding to reviews that are made from your GMB account.

  1. Add Photos

Photos are another part of your GMB Profile that have been around for a while. Yet many businesses fail to take advantage of adding photos of their business, regularly adding new pictures, and optimizing their photos.

 

From Google: “Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions to their location from users on Google, and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t have photos.”

 

Google My Business makes it easy to create and update your Business Profile—so you can stand out, and bring customers in. And using these new ways to market your business even further, you can add more leads, calls, and sales each month.

 

About eVisionSEM & Today’s Local Media

For this article George Aspland of eVisionSEM teamed up with Ben Wright of Today’s Local Media to offer tips on using Google’s My Business Listings for storage marketing.

eVisionSEM and Today’s Local Media collaborate to offer proven solutions for search engine marketing (PPC), organic SEO and landing page and website design that grow your business.

See how Today’s Local Media helped This Shipping Container Company Increased SEO Leads 112%