Tips on Maintaining your Google Business Profile from the Local SEO Experts

Local search engine optimisation (SEO) is a crucial strategy for businesses looking to attract local and regional customers. One of the most powerful tools you can use for local SEO is your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing.

Keeping your GBP listing up-to-date and optimised is essential for boosting your online visibility, attracting more local customers, and standing out from your competitors.

We’ll walk you through all the essential tasks you need to regularly perform to stay on top of your local SEO with your Google Business Profile.  If you’re still not sure what to do the team at Happy Monday are your local SEO experts and can help, so drop us a line.

• Claim and Verify Your Listing

Before you can start optimising your GBP, you need to claim and verify it (if you haven’t done this already). This process ensures that you have control over the information displayed and enables you to access valuable insights and features. Add at least one other admin user or manager to your account as well. This way if the person with admin access leaves your business, you still have control/ownership of your profile. This is a valuable digital asset so we recommend taking care of it!

• Keep Your Information Accurate

Consistency is key. Make sure that your business name, address, phone number, and website URL are accurate and consistent across all platforms, including your GBP. Inaccurate or out of date information can confuse customers and Google and negatively impact your SEO efforts. For example, if your business has relocated, make sure you update your profile and ensure the map marker is now at the correct address. There is nothing more frustrating for a prospective customer than turning up at your listed address to find your business is no longer there.

• Choose the Right Business Categories

Select relevant primary and secondary categories for your business. These categories help Google understand what your business offers, making it easier for potential customers to find you when they search for a business such as yours.

• Select the areas you do business
  

Make sure you select which areas you provide your products or services to – these might be national, or purely local. You can specify down to local suburbs, your city, region, island or country. This will help people find you when they put a specific location in their Google search.

• Write a Compelling Business Description

Write a concise, engaging, and informative business description that accurately represents your offerings and highlights what sets you apart from your competitors. Incorporate relevant keywords naturally to improve your chances of ranking higher in local searches.

• Upload High-Quality Images and Video
  

Visual content plays a significant role in local SEO. Add high-quality images that showcase your products, services, premises, and team. Use descriptive file names and alt tags with relevant keywords to enhance your image optimisation efforts.  Make sure you do this regularly. Images can include pictures of your business premises, exterior and interior, pictures of your team, pictures of your product range or your client work, anything that might be helpful for people doing research to find a company to do business with.

• Request and Respond to Reviews

Reviews are a vital component of local SEO and can influence potential customers. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, and respond to both positive and negative feedback professionally. Engaging with reviews shows that you value customer opinions and helps build trust. Don’t ignore the negative ones either as these can provide valuable feedback and insights.

• Regularly Update Posts

Use the Posts feature in your GBP dashboard to share news, promotions, events, and other updates. These posts can appear directly in your Google search result and attract more clicks from potential customers. They will expire after 60 days, so be conscious that they are not permanent, and keep your posts updated. You can also include promotions and offers.