If you run a small business, you know how much you should be found online. When the people in your city look for local services such as “SEO service near me” or “best coffee” – you want them to find it, not your competitor on the street. One of the best tools to make sure this happens is Google My Business (GMB).
But here’s the thing: it’s not enough to just have a GMB listing. You need to optimize it, keep it fresh, and make it stand out. In this post, I’ll share some simple steps to help you turn your GMB profile into a magnet for local SEO success.
Why You Should Care About Google My Business
Think of Google My Business as your digital storefront. It is often the first thing people see when they look for them online. Whether you are a plumber, boutique owner or SEO service provider, your GMB profile helps potential customers to learn who you are and what they offer.
It’s like free advertising. People search Google maps or local search results, see your listing, complete with criticism, photos and easy ways to contact us. When you configure it correctly, it can bring you more pedestrian traffic, phone calls and visits to the site.
Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Listing
First up, you need to claim your listing. If you haven’t done this yet, head over to Google My Business and follow the prompts.Google will usually send a postcard with a verification code. This may seem boring, but it is crucial once you are verified, you are in full control of what people see about your business.
Step 2: Fill Out Every Detail
This is where the magic happens. Google likes complete listings, and so do your customers. Double-check everything:
- Business Name: Use your real name, no keyword stuffing or extra fluff.
- Address & Phone Number: These should be exactly the same as what’s on your website and other listings. (This is what SEO folks call “NAP consistency” Name, Address, Phone.)
- Business Categories: Choose the best fit for your main service. If you do more than one thing like SEO service plus website design add secondary categories.
- Business Hours: Update these regularly, especially around holidays or special events.
Step 3: Tell Your Story
Next, focus on your business description. Here’s where you can highlight what makes you different: your mission, your services, and the vibe of your brand. Keep it natural and friendly. Mention what you do, like managing Google Ads or running local SEO campaigns, but don’t go overboard with keywords.
For example:
“Here at Bright Digital, we help small companies increase their presence online with accessible SEO services, Google Ads campaigns and attractive websites. We love to help our local community grow and thrive!”
Step 4: Add Great Photos
People want to see what you’re all about. That’s why photos are such a big deal. Listings with photos get more clicks, calls, and requests for directions.
Post pictures that show off:
- Your team in action
- Your office or storefront
- Finished projects (like a website you just launched)
- Happy customers or behind-the-scenes shots
If you run Facebook Ads or google adwords advertising, you can even post screenshots or testimonials (just be sure to protect any sensitive info). Real photos build trust and make you look approachable.
Step 5: Get and Respond to Reviews
Reviews can make or break your local SEO success. Google loves them, and so do your customers. Encourage clients to be happy to criticize – it’s one of the easiest ways to stand out.
You don’t have to insist. A mail and or fast text after work is done can do the trick. Something like:
“Hey! Thanks for your help. We would really like it if you could take a minute to write a critique on Google. It really helps us!”
And don’t forget to respond to the criticisms you are good and not as good. Thank people for reserving the time and, if there is a problem, type them that you are listening and want to correct it.
Step 6: Post Regular Updates
Most people don’t realize you can actually post updates right on your GMB listing, almost like mini social media posts. You can use these to:
- Announce new deals, like a discount on SEO service packages
- Share blog posts or helpful tips
- Highlight customer stories or case studies
- Promote special events, like a holiday sale on website design services
These posts only last for a week or so, but they show Google (and your customers) that you’re active and engaged
Step 7: Keep Tabs on How You’re Doing
Google My Business has a great feature called “Insights” that shows you how people find your business and what they do next. You can see if people found you by searching directly for your name, or by searching for a general service (like “SEO services near me”).
It also tells you how many people:
- Visited your website
- Called you
- Asked for directions
Use this info to see what’s working and tweak things as needed. For example, if you notice a lot of people looking for directions, maybe you should add clearer parking info or highlight your location in a post.
How Ads and Your Website Fit In
A lot of businesses stop at GMB, but you can go further by tying in other marketing tools:
- Google Ads
If you’re running Google Ads, make sure your GMB location is linked. This way, when your ads show up, your address and map marker can appear too super useful for people who want to visit you in person. - Facebook Ads
Running Facebook Ads? You can highlight your reviews or direct people to your GMB listing for even more social proof. Local SEO and Facebook Ads together make a great one-two punch. - Website Design Services
Your website and GMB should work together. If your website is slow or clunky, people might click away no matter how great your GMB profile is. Make sure your website loads fast, looks good on phones, and clearly lists your business info.
Keep Things Fresh
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people setting up their GMB profile and then forgetting about it. Don’t let that happen!Continue updating your profile with new photos, new posts and any changes in your hours or services.
It doesn’t have to be a full-time job. A few minutes a week can make a big difference. Google loves to see that you are active and helps you stay ahead of the competition.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to local SEO, your Google business profile is a big piece of the break in. This is where potential customers have the first impression of you and where Google decides if you are a good correspondence for researching someone.
When claiming your listing, adding all the right information, posting great photos and remaining active, you are preparing for success. And when you combine this with smart tools, such as Google ads, Facebook ads and a well-designed site, it’s giving your business the best chance to shine.
Therefore, take a while this week to decorate your GMB-GMA profile. It is one of the easiest (and most economical) ways to increase your local visibility and bring more people through the door.
Want help along the way? A good seo services brisbane can deal with all the details for you so you can focus on running your business. Here is the growth of your business and leaving your mark on the local scene!
