Optimising Google My Business (Google Business) for Local SEO If you are a local business in Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset or anywhere in the UK, you know how important it is to get found online. With the rise of online searches, optimiSing your Google My Business (Google Business as it's now called) listing has become a crucial step to increase your online visibility and attract potential customers. In this article, I will discuss how you can optimise your Google My Business listing for local SEO in Bournemouth and anywhere in UK. From creating a complete and accurate profile to getting more positive reviews, we'll cover all the essential elements you need to consider to rank higher in local searches. If you need a new or updated affordable website in Bournemouth, Poole or Dorset for your business contact me What is Google Business? Google Business (GBP) is an essential tool for any local business looking to boost their online visibility. It is a free platform offered by Google that enables businesses to manage their online presence across various Google platforms, including Google Search and Google Maps. With Google Business, businesses can showcase important information such as their address, phone number, website, and hours of operation, making it easier for potential customers to find and contact them. In addition, customers can leave reviews and ratings, providing social proof and helping to build trust with new customers. By claiming and verifying your Google Business listing, you can take control of your online presence and ensure that your business information is accurate and up-to-date. This is particularly important for local businesses, as it can increase your chances of appearing in local search results and attracting nearby customers. In addition, Google Business provides valuable insights and analytics that can help you track your performance, including how many people have viewed your listing, clicked through to your website, or requested directions. This information can be used to optimise your listing and improve your local SEO rankings. Why is optimising Google Business important for local SEO? Optimising your GMB listing can help your business rank higher in local search results, increase your online visibility, and attract potential customers in Bournemouth and around the UK. It's a great way to stand out from your competitors and showcase your business information to the right audience. How to create a Google Business listing? To create a Google Business listing for your business, follow these simple steps: Sign in to your Google account Go to google.com/business and click "Manage now" Enter your business name and address Choose the right category for your business Verify your business by phone, email, or mail Add your business information, such as phone number, website, hours of operation, and photos Click "Finish" to complete your profile Optimising Google Business for Local SEO Now that you have created your listing, it's time to optimise it for local SEO in Bournemouth or wherever your business is based. Here are some essential elements you need to consider: Choose the right category Choosing the right category for your business is crucial as it helps Google understand what your business is about and show it to the right audience. Make sure you choose the most relevant and specific category for your business. Provide accurate and consistent information Ensure that your business information, such as name, address, phone number, and website, are accurate and consistent across all your online platforms, including your website, social media, and listing. Inconsistent information can confuse Google and hurt your local SEO rankings. Add photos and videos Photos and videos can help showcase your business and attract potential customers. Make sure you add high-quality and relevant photos and videos of your business, products, and services. Encourage customer reviews Positive customer reviews can help improve your local SEO rankings and attract more customers. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing and respond to their reviews in a timely and professional manner. Use Google My Business posts Google Business posts are a great way to promote your business and highlight your products, services, and promotions. You can create posts about upcoming events, new products or services, special offers, and more. Make sure your posts are informative, engaging, and include a call-to-action. Monitor and respond to reviews Monitoring your customer reviews is important as it can help you improve your business and respond to negative reviews in a timely and professional manner. Make sure you respond to all reviews, positive or negative, and address any concerns or issues that customers may have. Track your performance with insights Google Business provides valuable insights into how customers interact with your listing, such as how many people view your listing, call your business, or visit your website. Use this information to optimise your listing and improve your local SEO rankings. Common mistakes to avoid when optimising Google Business for local SEO Here are some common mistakes to avoid when optimising your Google Business listing for local SEO: Incomplete or inaccurate business information Choosing the wrong category or using too many categories Ignoring customer reviews or not responding to them Not using Google Business posts Not monitoring your listing's performance or insights Top Secret Google Business tips and tricks Ok, so here are some of my personal favourite tips when working with Google Business profiles for my clients: Ask A Question: You can use this option to take some of your FAQ's from your website and add these yourself as questions and answers. Custom Messages: In the chat settings you can also add as many custom FAQ's here for any potential customers to see - result! Reviews: When responding to reviews be sure to add your business keywords in your reply comments. For example "Thank you for using my affordable web design services here in Bournemouth". Reviews Link: Why not add your custom Google Business reviews link in your email signature. This gives your clients a handy link to leave that 5-star review (hopefully!). Final Word Optimising your Google Business listing for local SEO is a crucial step to increase your online visibility and attract potential customers. By creating a complete and accurate profile, adding photos and videos, encouraging customer reviews, using Google My Business posts, and monitoring your listing's performance, you can improve your local SEO rankings and stand out from your competitors. Remember to avoid common mistakes and stay up-to-date with the latest changes and updates from Google. As always if you're looking help with Google Business or anything else web related please contact me Need help with Google My Business? Please contact me for help with Google and getting your business noticed! Send Message