If you handle your website’s search engine optimization, you have more than likely noticed significant changes to Google My Business. In fact, it’s no longer known as Google My Business. While GMB may be gone, its predecessor, Google Business Profile, offers new features to help you boost your SEO. Here is what you need to know.
How It Benefits Your Website
First and foremost, it’s important to understand just how important your Google Business Profile is. We all use Google, and therefore, we all know firsthand just how impatient Google users can be. We want instant results, and we often go with the website that makes the best and quickest first impression. Therefore, updating your Google Business Profile is incredibly important. Here are some of the benefits:
- Your website will gain more traction
- Your business will receive more visitors
- More Google users will call your business
- You will receive more messages
Perhaps the best part of the Google Business Profile is that it can be easily managed. You can get the benefits mentioned above by simply updating your profile regularly.
Be Sure To Follow Google Guidelines
It’s important to follow the guidelines set by Google. While these features are great, you must remember that this is still Google’s playground. They can and will ban your account from Google Business Profile if you break any rules. Getting suspended from the program will harm your business by falling search rankings.
Remember, your Google Business Profile is a community profile, not just your own. Any Google user can contribute to your profile, and you should embrace this. Google encourages customers to create user-generated content such as reviews, photos, videos, and more. It’s up to you to make sure this content is legit.
Easily Update Your Hours
One of the major changes to Google Business Profile is the ability to change your business hours easily. While this was always possible with GMB, it wasn’t easy to differentiate between regular and holiday hours. This confused potential customers, who would often assume a business was open during the holidays when it wasn’t.
Now, you can easily update your hours based on holidays and even COVID-19 restrictions. This makes it much easier for customers to know the perfect time to contact you about your services and products. Keep in mind that anyone can update this section, so check regularly to ensure your hours are accurate.
Add Photos To Your Profile
Internet users like visuals. We want to see videos and photos of the things we’re searching for because it allows us to make a proper judgment. Google research shows that businesses that feature photos get 42% more requests for directions.
Uploading pictures of your business, such as your building, signage, products, services, and team members, you’re humanizing your brand. This increases engagement and allows customers to see you’re more than a link on Google. Google Business Profile makes it easy to upload photos from search. Simply click on “add photos” and drag an image to the designated section from your computer.
Do You Need SEO Help?
Constantly updating your Google Business Profile can be challenging – especially with your busy schedule. If you need help with your SEO needs, our team at R5 Website Management is here to help. We offer a wide range of SEO services to help you get the most out of your website. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.