Is Your GBP (Google Business Profile) Page a Ghost Town? (Or a Thriving Hub of Activity?)
Google Business Profile (GBP- formerly Google My Business) is a free tool provided by Google.
It allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.
A major part of GBP’s power for results is it is the business listing that shows up when users search for a particular business or type of business in their location...IF you have it properly set up!
It increases the visibility of your business in local search results …..bringing in more customers!
Imagine you’re the customer, trying to find the best pizza place in town.
You hop on Google, type “pizza near me,” and… what do you see?
A list of local businesses with all the juicy details: address, phone number, hours, photos, reviews and maybe even some mouth watering menu items….Yes please!
That’s the magic of a Google Business Profile (GBP) Page!
In today’s SEO world, your GBP is more than just a listing; it’s your digital storefront, your online welcome mat and a crucial factor in ranking well in local search results.
Think of it as your online HQ for local customers.
Why is a well-managed GBP (Google Business Profile) so important, especially now?
It’s Your First Impression:
When someone searches for a business like yours, your GBP is often the first thing they see. It’s your chance to make a stellar first impression and entice them to choose you over the competition. A neglected GBP is like a store with a broken sign and boarded-up windows – not very inviting.
Google Loves Completeness:
Google rewards businesses that provide complete and accurate information in their GBP. The more details you provide (address, phone, website, hours, categories, attributes, products/services), the more Google understands your business and the more likely it is to show you in relevant searches
It’s like filling out a detailed application form versus scribbling your name on a napkin – which one do you think gets more attention?
Reviews are Gold:
Online reviews are like digital word-of-mouth. Positive reviews build trust and social proof, influencing potential customers to choose your business.
A well-managed & optimised GBP actively encourages and responds to reviews, showing that you value customer feedback.
NOTE: Ignoring reviews is like ignoring a customer who walks into your store – not a good look.
Updates & Posts Keep You Fresh:
GBP Posts allow you to share updates, promotions, events, and other news directly on your profile. This keeps your listing fresh and engaging, signaling to Google that you’re active and relevant
It’s like updating your shop window display regularly – it keeps things interesting for passers by.
Q&A Builds Trust:
The Q&A section allows potential customers to ask questions about your business, and you can provide answers directly on your profile. This builds trust and transparency. It’s like having a helpful staff member available to answer customer queries 24/7.
Insights Give You Data:
GBP provides valuable insights into how customers are finding and interacting with your business online. This data can help you refine your marketing strategy and improve your local SEO performance
It’s like having access to a customer behavior report – valuable information to help you improve.
Why hire a professional agency to manage your GBP(Google Business Profile) Page?
Managing a GBP effectively takes time, expertise and consistent effort.
No time for that? No Problem
A professional Digital Marketing Agency like JumpStart Matrix can:
- Optimise your profile: Ensure all information is complete, accurate, and optimised for relevant keywords.
- Manage reviews: Respond to reviews promptly and professionally, both positive and negative.
- Create engaging posts: Keep your profile active and engaging with regular updates and promotions.
- Monitor and analyse performance: Track key metrics and provide insights to improve your local SEO.
- Stay up-to-date: Keep up with the latest GBP features and best practices.
In short, a well-managed GBP is essential for local SEO success in today’s competitive landscape.
It’s your digital storefront, your online reputation manager and a powerful tool for attracting new customers
Don’t let it become a ghost town. Let a professional agency help you turn it into a thriving hub of activity.
SearchEngineLand did some testing in 2019 and then 2013 on pre-defined Services
“…adding pre-defined services in GBP seemingly impacts local search rankings. Before this finding, you could do little with GBP to influence local search results beyond location, categories, reviews and keywords in the business name. Now, you can add GBP services to the list of key local SEO factors to prioritize…..
Both tests showed that adding pre-defined services to your GBP listing significantly improves local search rankings.
But excitement over this discovery is only felt within the local SEO community. Many small business owners don’t know how to add services to their listings or where to start.
That’s because Google doesn’t announce new features as much, keeping them hidden in a new and confusing search edit interface nobody likes.
Plus Google released some new features & clarification on the new Video “Verification” Steps/…. I’ll cover those in the next post!
Ready to boost your local search presence? Contact us for a free GBP Audit!
or call 02 5698 5445