Power of Local Search --

How To Grow My Business?

A journey -- from GMB (Google My Business)

A strong online presence is no longer a luxury for small and medium businesses (SMBs) – it's a necessity.

With potential customers increasingly turning to search engines to find the products and services they need, being easily discoverable online is crucial for driving growth.

This newsletter dives into a powerful tool readily available to SMBs: Google My Business (GMB).

GMB is a free service that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps.

By optimizing your GMB profile, you can significantly increase your visibility to local customers searching for businesses like yours.

Why should you care about GMB?

Think about it – when someone searches for, say, "best bakery near me," wouldn't you want your bakery to be among the top results?

GMB ensures your business appears in local search results, complete with key information like your address, phone number, website, operating hours, and even customer reviews.        

A recent study by Moz found that GMB listings are one of the top factors influencing local search ranking. The more complete and optimized your GMB profile is, the higher you'll climb in local search results, putting your business in front of a targeted audience actively seeking what you offer.

Potential of GMB: Actionable steps for SMBs

Claim and Verify Your Listing

The first step is to claim your GMB listing, if it hasn't been done already. This process is straightforward and involves verifying your business ownership through a postcard or phone call.

Complete Your Profile Information

Ensure your GMB profile is filled with accurate and up-to-date information, including your business name, address, phone number, website, category (the industry you belong to), and operating hours.

Consistency across platforms is key, so double-check that this information matches your website and other online listings.

Showcase Your Business with High-Quality Photos

Add high-quality photos that showcase your business, products, services, and even your team.

Visuals are powerful tools that can grab attention and give potential customers a glimpse of what you're all about.

Encourage Customer Reviews

Positive online reviews are a goldmine for local businesses.

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile.

Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, demonstrates that you value customer feedback and builds trust with potential clients.

Keep Your Profile Fresh with Regular Posts

GMB allows you to post updates, including special offers, events, new products or services, and even short blog posts.

Regularly updating your profile keeps your business relevant and informs customers about what's new.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced GMB Strategies

Utilize GMB Insights

GMB Insights provides valuable data about how customers are finding your business listing.

You can see how many people searched for your business, viewed your photos, or clicked through to your website.

This data helps you understand your audience and tailor your GMB strategy accordingly.

Target Local Keywords

When completing your GMB profile, consider including relevant local keywords that potential customers might use to find your business.

GMB allows you to categorize your business and add a description, so strategically incorporate these local keywords to improve search ranking.

The Takeaway:

GMB – A Powerful Tool for SMB Growth

By taking advantage of GMB, SMBs can harness the power of local search and connect with potential customers actively looking for their products or services in their area.

Remember, a well-optimized GMB profile acts as a digital storefront, attracting local customers and propelling your business towards growth.

So, what are you waiting for? Claim your GMB listing today and unlock the potential of local search!

In the Next Newsletter:

We'll delve into the exciting world of social media marketing for SMBs. Stay tuned for actionable tips on leveraging social media platforms to connect with your target audience and build a strong online brand presence.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.