Importance of Google My Business for Local SEO

A large number of small businesses compete online for customers in their local communities by offering their goods and services. A free, simple-to-use service called Google My Business aids in the promotion of effective local search engine optimization (SEO) techniques so you can be found on Google.

What is it?

Small, physical companies might benefit from local SEO services, a sort of search engine optimization that makes it easier for them to appear in local search results. Businesses can benefit from customers looking for "barbershops near me" or "barbershops in Denver," for example, by localising their SEO strategy.

Is Appearing In Local Searches Really So Crucial?

Yes and here are the reasons why- 

On mobile devices, 78% of local searches result in offline purchases. Within a day of looking for something local, 76% of people visit a business. (Google) Before making a first visit to a place of business, 71% of individuals look up the location online. in search engines

Google My Business

A free and a very efficient tool called Google My Business assists companies in managing their internet presence and controls how they appear in organic search results, including Maps. Important company details that customers need to make decisions about what to buy are included in a listing on Google My Business, including:

• Business name
• Street address
• Business hours
• Photos
• Reviews
• Description
• Website

Customers looking locally are considerably more inclined to trust businesses with accurate GMB listings since Google uses this data to create the Local 3-Pack for Maps in search results pages. The Local 3-Pack, you've never heard of it? When searching, it appears at the top of the page and resembles something you've probably seen before:

Businesses who include images in their listings on Google Maps get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks than those who don't, claims Google.

How Does Google Decide Where a Location Ranks?

Although it should be noted that the precise method by which Google decides local search results is not known to the general public, the company uses a number of elements to decide where a business should appear in the results.

The three most crucial elements are proximity, significance, and prominence. These improve local search results for users and hence affect rankings.

• Distance: How near are the possible search results to the search's defined location? Google will try to deliver the most pertinent results based on where it believes the searcher is located if the query contains the phrase "near me" or does not specify a location.
• Relevance is the degree to which prospective search results correspond to the user's intended search. If you want to appear for people who are actively looking for what your business offers, it's imperative that your GMB business listing contains intelligent and precise information.
• How well-known is the company both online and offline? A company will be listed higher in search results the more well-known its brand or location is. How many reviews does the company have? Are they favourable or unfavourable? What information does your website contain that is useful to the neighbourhood? Do you have a lot of photographs on your GMB profile?

For instance, Google may decide that Business A is physically further away from the searcher than Business B, but yet give Business A higher ranking because of its greater reputation for providing high-quality services that are pertinent to the search query.

What Is The Procedure For Using Google My Business?

The initial step in using GMB is to simply create an account and/or claim your business. Sometimes you only need to inform Google that you are the proprietor of an existing business listing.

Google will send a postcard to the specified business address after you start the verification process. The next step to get verified by Google is provided on this card, which is mailed to the owner. Some businesses may also be able to receive verification via phone call or text. It's time to complete your business profile once your listing has been verified.

How Can I Improve the Local SEO Of My Google My Business SEO and Listing?

Here are some pointers to help you make sure you are making the most of your GMB listing.

When presenting information about your company online, it's crucial to maintain consistency. Please double-check the accuracy of the business name, address, and phone number when you create your account and claim your GMB listing. Don't abbreviate the street name on your listing if you spell it out completely on your website. Make sure to include St. in your listing if you abbreviate Street on your website.

• Pick a business category that most closely resembles yours.
• Use eye-catching images of your company, staff, and products. Choose pictures that convey the vibe of the company to potential clients.
• Read user reviews, then reply to them. Reviews play a significant role in how Google ranks pages for organic SEO and local business listing. React to both favourable and unfavourable reviews!
• Utilize the particular GMB management tools available during the COVID-19 situation.
• Most crucial, keep the information in your listing updated when your company changes.

A wonderful resource to get you started on the road to enhancing your company's search engine optimization efforts is creating a Google Business account on Google My Business. While having a complete company listing will help it rank well in local searches, this should only be a tiny component of a wider on-page and off-page SEO strategy. We advise you to collaborate with a qualified company that can evaluate your online presence and assist you in addressing each element of a strong SEO strategy.