Ultimate Local SEO Guide: Leveraging AI for Dominating Google My Business Profile
Table of Contents
Intro: Setting the Stage for Local SEO Success
Welcome, dear readers, to an insightful journey into the world of Local SEO, brought to you by macaws.ai, your trusted AI and automation SaaS platform designed to skyrocket productivity and efficiency across businesses.
Whether you are stepping into the digital arena for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro looking to up your game, this guide is meticulously crafted to cater to your needs. Newbies, make yourselves comfortable and dive right into the comprehensive content that awaits. If your interest lies in mastering the art of setting up an impeccable Google My Business (GMB) profile, jump straight to Section 2. For those eager to discover cutting-edge tips, tools (both free and paid), and strategies to conquer the top spots on GMB, Section 3 is where the treasure lies.
Why Google My Business is important for local businesses
For those who are unfamiliar with the service, Google My Business (GMB) is a free internet-based tool designed to promote local businesses online. It allows business owners to manage their online presence across Google and stand out from the competition. So why should you use Google My Business? Well, considering that a large percentage of the population uses Google regularly, having a GMB profile means that a vast audience can view and access your business information. The more visible you are in search results, the more attention you can draw to your business. It’s an innovative and practical alternative to traditional advertising.
Now let’s explore some of the specific benefits of using Google My Business:
1. GMB Allows You to Appear in Maps and Google Local Pack Listings: When you search for places on Google, you often see a highly visible map and a list of business names at the top of the page. This is called the Google Local Pack. It takes up significant space on page one of search results and is the first thing users see after entering their query. The Google Local Pack provides users with essential information at a glance, such as the business’s location on the map, contact number, store hours, and star rating. Having your business appear in the Local Pack can significantly increase visibility and attract potential customers within your service area.
2. Google My Business Profile (GMB) Enables People to Leave Reviews of Your Business: Customer reviews play a crucial role in search rankings and influencing consumer decisions. Studies show that online reviews make up 10% of how search engines rank results. By using Google My Business Profile (GMB), you can make it easy for your customers to leave positive feedback about your business, which improves your search engine ranking. Positive reviews not only boost your credibility but also act as free advertisements for your products or services. They increase consumer confidence and can lead to more leads and sales.
3. Google My Business Profile (GMB) Provides Insights That Give You Valuable Information: GMB comes with powerful features that provide insights into various aspects of your business’s online presence. You can access statistics on the number of views your profile, photos, and posts receive. This helps you gauge the effectiveness of your campaigns and identify areas for improvement. GMB also provides reports on how consumers find your business through search queries, allowing you to optimize relevant keywords and increase traffic to your website. Additionally, you can see how your audience interacts with your posts and gain a better understanding of what content resonates with them. Understanding your audience demographics can also help you tailor your campaigns accordingly.
4. GMB Is Free and Easy to Use: Despite its many benefits, GMB is free and user-friendly. Any business, regardless of size or budget, can utilize this tool to promote their products or services. Creating and verifying your profile can be done in a matter of hours, making it accessible to all businesses.
How to improve Google My Business Ranking
Dive deep with us as we unravel the secrets to conquering Google rankings for your local business! Google has laid out some clear guidelines, and we’re here to walk you through them with precision and clarity.
Unveiling the 3 Secrets of Google My Business Ranking
Relevance: This is all about creating a seamless match between your local Business Profile and what your potential customers are searching for. It’s time to enrich your profile with comprehensive and detailed information, ensuring Google understands your business inside out and connects you with the right searches. Remember, the devil is in the details—descriptions, photos, categories, and services play a vital role in carving out your niche.
Distance: Proximity matters! How close is your business to your potential clients when they hit search? Even when they don’t specify a location, Google plays detective, determining the best match based on its knowledge of your whereabouts. Your mission? Make Google believe you are the perfect local match!
Prominence: Think of this as your business’s fame factor. How well-known and reputable are you in the digital world? Google takes stock of your online footprint, scanning through links, articles, and directories associated with your brand. And let’s not forget reviews—their quantity and quality can skyrocket your trustworthiness in Google’s eyes, boosting your ranking and reaping rewards.
Proven Strategies to Skyrocket Your Google My Business Relevance
Optimising your Google My Business Profile (GMB) isn’t just a task; it’s an ongoing journey to excellence. With 6 major content areas and numerous engagement-boosting features, your GMB is a powerhouse waiting to be unleashed. Fear not, for we are here to guide you through every step, feature, and strategy to ensure your business shines at the top of Google’s listings! If you stay with us until the end, we’ve got some exciting freebies and tools lined up for you, showcasing how AI and automation can significantly expedite your journey to Local SEO dominance.
NAP: Name, Address, and Phone – The Basics
Google is keen on consistency! Your business’ Name, Address, and Phone Number are pivotal. Ensure these are consistent across all platforms, especially when building your link and backlink networks.
Your business name:
Ensure you input the name just as it is popularly known or as displayed on your business card. For instance, if registered as Joe Blogs Ltd, it’s crucial to list it exactly like that. Even a slight deviation like name it “Limited” can have implications!
macaws Tip: The digital marketing world is divided on this—some staunchly believe you shouldn’t add keywords or locations to your business name in your GBB. We beg to differ. If your primary keyword or location isn’t part of your official business name, incorporating it into your GBP can significantly enhance your ranking prospects.
Critics might argue it’s not the most accurate representation. However, the real question is, does it enhance your visibility on Google? Try searching “electrician” alongside your location, and you’ll likely notice the top listings feature a combination of “electrician” and the specific location right in the business name.
Your Business Address:
Next up, let’s tackle your address. For businesses with a brick-and-mortar location where customers can access your products or services directly, it’s essential to input your official mailing address. On the other hand, if your business operates from your residence or you serve clients at their location, you still need to provide an address – don’t worry, you have the option to keep it hidden afterwards.
Remember, consistency is key and details matter. An address listed as “86 Paul Street” is different from “86 Paul St.” Ensure uniformity across all platforms – from your Google My Business Profile and website, to your entire network of referrals, your address should be identical.
Place your primary street address on the first line, followed by any suite, apartment, floor, or office numbers on the second line. This ensures clarity and helps maintain consistency across all your business listings.
Business Telephone Number:
Ensuring your customers can reach you easily is fundamental, making the business phone an essential element. If your business operates solely online and you prefer not to receive calls, you might opt out of listing a number.
However, for those aiming to be easily accessible, providing a business phone number is crucial. Whether your business operates out of a specific location with a landline or you manage your operations via mobile phone, ensure that the number listed is the most reliable way to reach you, be it a landline, mobile, or even an answering service.
macaws’ Tip: Bear in mind that your phone number acts as a primary conduit between you and your customers; hence, it should offer maximum flexibility. If your current phone service lacks features such as text responses to missed calls, two-way texting, call tracking, or recording capabilities, it’s time for an upgrade.
The macaws’ advanced business systems deliver premium calling features typically beyond the reach of local enterprises. Imagine automatically texting customers after a missed call, or having an AI Bot answering customer service questions. Integrating such advanced features enhances your Google My Business profile, ensuring you seize every potential lead and maintain constant contact with your customers, just a text away.
Category & Subcategories
The categories and subcategories you choose are pivotal as they inform Google about your niche in the local business realm. Google simplifies this task by offering a predefined set of categories to choose from.
Don’t overcomplicate it; if your business revolves around Digital Marketing, simply pick “Digital Marketing” as your main category. Furthermore, you have the freedom to pick multiple secondary categories, provided they are directly relevant to your business. For instance, a digital marketing company may opt for “SEO”, “Content Creation”, or “Paid Adverting”, but should steer clear of “Events” unless that’s a service they actually provide.
Service Areas:
Even if you operate out of a physical location, specifying your service areas is beneficial. Customers are willing to travel from neighboring areas if it means obtaining the products or services they seek. By listing their locale as a service area, your business could appear in their search results.
You have the option to add countries, counties, cities, or post codes, allowing you to be as specific as necessary. However, remember there’s a cap on the number of service areas you can list, so prioritise the most crucial ones for your business.
While you can list entire counties, remember that visibility decreases significantly beyond a 20-mile radius, regardless of the service areas listed.
Website Link:
Despite the importance of your Google My Business Profile (GMB), having a website is still crucial. If you’re operating without one, it’s time to question why, as websites are essential in today’s digital-centric world. A staggering number of businesses lack a sufficient online presence, even today.
Ensure you include your website link, directing to the secure version of your site (for example https://macaws.ai), to facilitate hassle-free access for users.
Here’s a gift to get you started—your very first freebie! Fillout this form and receive a thorough audit to evaluate the digital footprint of your business comprehensively.”
Audit Your Website’s SEO Now!
Note: Social media profiles are not substitutes for a website. They serve as supplementary assets to bolster your business’s online presence.
A swift, optimised, and mobile-friendly website is crucial for ranking on Google My Business Profile (GMB). More than half of internet traffic comes from mobile devices, making mobile optimisation a non-negotiable aspect of your website.
Connecting a high-performing website to your Google My Business Profile (GMB) enhances your SEO, influencing your search result visibility. Google rewards fast, well-optimised sites and penalizes those that are slow or dysfunctional.
Ensure your site is designed for optimal customer interaction: visible and click-to-call enabled phone numbers, fast loading times, easy navigation, real-time chat functionality, and prominence of crucial information without the need for scrolling.
Logo and phone number should be instantly visible, and contact forms should follow your keyword-optimized headline. Embedding a YouTube video and GBP map can also significantly boost your site’s ranking.
Appointment Link:
If your business operates on appointments, providing an online booking link is a must, whether you’re in roofing, dentistry, accountant, or run any appointment-based establishment Integrating a calendar service and linking it to your GMB ensures potential clients can schedule appointments effortlessly.
Showcasing your service offering
Leverage your Google My Business Profile (GMB) to significantly enhance your visibility on search engines by incorporating relevant keywords into your service listings. Utilise Google’s own keyword suggestions to understand what potential customers in your vicinity are searching for.
For instance, our specialty lies in “social media marketing.” When I start typing “social media” into Google, it displays a list of related search terms. These suggestions aren’t arbitrary; they reflect real queries people are inputting to find similar services.
Extract keywords and their variations from these suggestions to craft SEO-optimized descriptions of your services, making your business more discoverable to prospective clients.
Services are categorized, allowing you to neatly organize them. With a 300-character limit for each service description, it’s essential to be both succinct and detailed.
Showcasing your product offering
Regardless of whether your business provides services or tangible products, the Products section in Google My Business Profile (GMB) is an invaluable yet often overlooked tool. It stands out because it allows you to link directly to specific pages on your website, offering a robust approach to showcase what you have to offer. Many businesses neglect this feature, missing out on potential engagement and web traffic.
Use this section to add images, create keyword-rich product names and descriptions, and link back to your website. The content you add here will depend on your business type, but it’s crucial not to leave this section empty.
For optimal results, upload images that are 720 pixels square. If you need to edit your images, tools like Canva provide free services. Ensure you name your images descriptively before uploading, for example, “phone_repair_London.jpg”.
Google also provides the option to add a linked button, allowing you to create a direct pathway from the product listing to a related service or product page on your website.
Finer Details
Business Description:
Consider the Business Description section your business’s “quick pitch.” It appears right under your business name in search results, necessitating a powerful and compelling description. Maintain a natural and relatable tone, avoiding any salesy or spammy language. While it’s fine to incorporate a keyword or two, be cautious of overdoing it to prevent penalties for keyword stuffing. Ultimately, this description is for potential customers, providing them insight into your services or products.
Business Hours:
Clearly state your business hours to inform customers when they can visit or when your services are available. Additionally, utilise the More Hours feature to indicate any special working hours, like holiday closures or extended hours during shopping events. For some businesses consider using a macaws.AI Chatbot to increase your business hours.
Attributes:
Attributes offer an opportunity to add specific descriptors to your business, which then appear on your Google Search profile and in Google Maps, based on your industry type. Whether showcasing your business as veteran, woman, or minority-owned, offering online appointments, or highlighting specific features of your restaurant like outdoor seating or healthy food options, ensure that you only select attributes that truly represent your business. Remember, customers have the ability to verify this information, and Google takes their feedback into account when determining your ranking.
Unleashing the Power of AI & Automation
In the following section, we will delve comprehensively into the transformative realm of AI and automation, setting our sights firmly on elevating your Google My Business (GMB) profile to unparalleled heights in local search results.
You will unveil the secrets of how automation effortlessly streamlines SEO, ensuring consistent optimization of your Google My Business Profile (GMB). Furthermore, you will discover AI tools specifically designed for local SEO, empowering you to make well-informed decisions and deploy strategies that guarantee tangible results.
Adding photos and geo-tagging
We are inherently visual beings, making photos immensely crucial. Google My Business Profile (GMB) enables you to upload Profile, Cover, and Other photos. Follow these specifications:
Format: JPG or PNG for Google My Business Profile (GMB)
Size: Between 10 KB and 5 MB
Dimensions: 720×720 pixels
Ensure sharp, high-resolution quality without excessive filters or edits.
Name your images thoughtfully with keywords in mind. Avoid generic names like IMG2021_08_01.jpg; instead, opt for descriptive names like CompanyName_City_BusinessType.jpg. Google appreciates the difference, and so will your search rankings.
Don’t forget to upload a Profile and Cover Photo; profiles with these photos receive significantly more clicks.
Profile Photo: Square, at least 250×250 pixels
Cover Photo: Landscape, 16:9 ratio, at least 480×270 pixels
Ensure that the business photos you upload genuinely represent your business, with the main focus in the center.
macaws Tip: For your website use WEBP picture format. The benefits of using WEBP is covered in this article.
macaws Tip: Enhance your business’s local footprint by geo-tagging your photos with location data. Use macaws’ Picture Geo Tagging service to add latitude and longitude coordinates to your images before uploading them to your profile.
Active Google My Business (GMB) posting
Google Business Profile not only allows you to manage your business information across Google’s platforms, but it also lets you engage with your audience through posts, akin to mini-blog entries, covering updates, events, and promotions. Regularly posting a few times a week demonstrates activity to Google and can aid in boosting your ranking, especially when you incorporate relevant, geo-tagged photos with your posts to enhance local relevance.
If your business is already active on social media, integrating macaws.ai’s social media manager can take your digital presence to the next level. Our platform offers a robust solution for managing all your accounts, allowing you to post seamlessly across various platforms, including Google My Business Profile, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Furthermore, by using macaws.ai, you ensure that every photo uploaded is precisely geo-tagged, significantly boosting your visibility and standing on Google My Business. This not only ensures an optimized ranking but also affords you the convenience of scheduling posts for future dates.
By leveraging macaws.ai’s social media management account, you pave the way for a more strategic, efficient, and effective social media marketing experience. Your brand remains continuously connected, resonating powerfully with your target audience and ensuring that your local business stands out on Google My Business.
For photo inspiration, explore free image sites like:
on the macaws website, we use Envato Elements as our go-to resource. This platform offers an expansive array of stock articles, catering to diverse needs and niches.
Questions & Answers:
The Questions & Answers section in your GMB is often overlooked but can be a potent tool for boosting your visibility. Use it to preemptively answer common customer inquiries and show your expertise. Find inspiration for questions through Google searches related to your business and observing the “People also ask” section.
To engage your network in contributing to this section, share your GBP (Google Business Profile) link and encourage them to ask questions. Alternatively, you can leverage macaws.ai’s content generator by signing up for an account. The free credits you receive upon registration will be more than sufficient to assist you in generating the FAQs.
Google Messaging
Enable messaging in your GMB to open up a direct communication line with potential customers. Businesses that respond within 24 hours are rewarded with better visibility. With the majority of consumers preferring messaging as their main form of communication, this is a feature you don’t want to overlook.
Ensure you have an automated system, macaws. AI Chatbot, in place for prompt responses, as Google may disable messaging if you consistently fail to reply within the 24-hour window.
Sync with Bing:
Expand your online presence by syncing your GMB with Bing Places. Despite its smaller market share, Bing still accounts for around 500 million monthly searches in the U.S. With fewer businesses focusing on Bing, this is your chance to dominate the local space.
Visit https://www.bingplaces.com/Dashboard/Home and use the “Import from Google My Business now” feature to sync your listings and opt for regular updates.
And just like that, your business is set to shine across both Google and Bing!
Google Reviews & macaws’ AI & automation solution
Reviews stand as the cornerstone of any thriving business, possessing the potential to either elevate or dismantle a brand. The pivotal role of reviews becomes even more pronounced when it comes to bolstering your online presence and climbing the Google local SEO rankings.
Think about your buying behavior on Amazon. Beyond price considerations and Prime availability, reviews undeniably play a crucial role in your decision-making process. Products bathed in positive reviews naturally ascend to the top of your preferred choices, even if it means shelling out a few extra bucks.
Garnering high quality Google reviews, coupled with active engagement with customer feedback, will enhance your business’s visibility on Google Local SEO. Should you require help in streamlining the process of soliciting Google reviews from clients and managing automated responses, it could be worth exploring Macaws’ Review2Revenue.
Delving into local searches, reviews bring along additional perks:
1. Google has a soft spot for content generated by users.
2. Google tends to favor businesses that boast a substantial number of positive reviews and high ratings. Check out how macaws’ Review2Revenue can help your business to gain more 5 star reviews from your customers.
3. Google is more generous with higher rankings for businesses that actively respond to their reviews. Check out how macaws’ Review2Revenue AI Bot can reply to every review automatically
Reviews are such a vital aspect of your business that a high ranking in Google’s Map Pack can still leave you struggling for phone calls if you lack reviews. In the eyes of potential customers, having no reputation is just as detrimental as having a bad one.
If your business has been up and running for a decent amount of time, you should ideally have a considerable number of reviews. Take a moment to assess your Google Business Profile – do the reviews present an accurate representation of your business? Would you choose to do business with yourself based on those reviews and ratings?
Your reviews are a public testament to your company’s vitality and should mirror that accurately. Prioritizing your review management could single-handedly drive more customers and revenue your way; it’s that pivotal.
How to Secure Reviews:
Securing reviews can pose a significant challenge for many local businesses, yet having a seamless and straightforward review process can make a world of difference for your customers.
One of the simplest and most effective strategies is to offer customers a direct link to review your business. To do this, simply log into your GMB account, navigate to the “Get More Reviews” section, and share the generated link via email, social media, or even directly with the customer.
To further increase accessibility, consider integrating the review link on your website, incorporating it into your email signature, or employing a QR code at your physical location that directs customers straight to your review page.
While these methods are undoubtedly effective, taking the extra step to automate your review solicitation and response processes can significantly enhance your efforts. This is precisely where macaws’ Review2Revenue service comes into play. For face-to-face businesses, such as restaurants and electricians, our NFC Review2Revenue card allows customers to easily tap or scan the card to leave a review for your business. On the other hand, if you operate a service business that works offsite, such as an e-commerce store or an accounting firm, you can take advantage of macaws’ email management system to send out requests for reviews.
By adopting these strategies, you ensure that garnering reviews becomes a more streamlined and efficient process, ultimately contributing to the success and reputation of your local business.
A Cautionary Note on Fake Reviews:
Steer clear of services offering fake reviews for your Google My Business Profile (GMB). Google has a keen eye for these and doesn’t hesitate to penalise businesses indulging in such practices, potentially resulting in delisting.
Managing Reviews – Review2Revenue Your 24/7 SEO Workhorse
Promptly responding to reviews is key. For positive feedback, go beyond a simple “thanks” and inject some personality and variation into your responses. Google appreciates rich content, so don’t shy away from highlighting specific services or products provided, and mentioning the location.
Negative reviews are inevitable, but they offer an opportunity to showcase your customer service skills. Always approach them with kindness, avoid confrontations, and seek to resolve the issue calmly and professionally. macaws’ Review2Revenue features an automation tool that promptly notifies the management team via email whenever a negative review is posted. This enables owners and managers to swiftly address any concerns and enhance the quality of service.
In instances of fake reviews, typically from competitors, rest assured that Google has mechanisms in place for removal, ensuring fair play.
Embrace reviews as an integral part of your business’s online journey, and you’ll find them to be a powerful ally in building trust and credibility.
info@macaws.ai | 🚀 BOOK A STRATEGY CALL NOW ☝️ | 0808 175 4115
