Optimise your Google My Business profile with best practices like using a real-world business name, clear descriptions, high-quality visuals, and correct categories. Engage customers through Google Posts and prompt review responses to boost credibility and local SEO. Regular updates and strategic management ensure higher visibility, traffic, and conversions.

Google Business Profiles of verified businesses have 1,803 views and 200 clicks or interactions on average in a month. Thus, Google Business Profiles play a significant role in improving online discoverability and traffic, especially through discovery. They also help in reaching customer engagement goals.

This is because a Google Business Profile is a free online listing that will help your business manage its online presence on Google Maps and Search, letting you display important information like address, working hours, contact details, photos, and customer reviews.

In this article, we will take you through the best practices of Google My Business Profile Management so that you can benefit from it the most.

6 Best Practices of Google My Business Profile Management

Whether you want to become easily discoverable by local customers, increase credibility among potential customers, build relationships with customers, or respond to inquiries, Google My Business Profile management is a must.

Real-World Business Name

The name of your business is your first impression and thus it plays an important role in the visibility and authenticity of your business.

Some of the tips that you should follow here are:

  • Make sure the name you mention in the Google My Business Profile matches your business’s real-world name and as it appears in your branding, documentation, and storefronts. If you add any slogans, descriptions, or services in the ‘name field’ then Google can suspend your listing.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing in your business name because Google’s AI system has become better at detecting it. For example, avoid names like – Best Bakey in Sydney – Organic Cupcakes and Cakes.
  • Avoid excessively long business names, special characters, promotional text, and location keywords. For example, avoid names like – Miya’s Cafe – Melbourne’s Best Coffee and Snacks!
  • Make sure your business name is consistent across all platforms, including your website and social media pages.
Also Read: How to Identify Your Target Audience and Market Effectively Online

Clear Business Descriptions

Through business descriptions, you will be able to answer what is unique about your business, your offerings, and who your target audience is. This part of your Google My Business profile management will help you convert curious searchers into potential customers.

Some of the tips you should follow here:

  • Google gives priority to descriptions that are clear and simple over the ones that use promotional language and redundant keywords. Use one of two keywords naturally, while avoiding repetitive usage of cities, names, products, or services.
  • Your description must be under 500 characters; thus, ensure that it is concise and effective.
  • Give authentic updates about your business in these descriptions. For instance, if you have expanded your services or rebranded, mention it here.
Pro Tip: Use Managed SEO services to rank better on Google and drive more traffic to your listing and website. 

High-Quality and Recent Listing Photos and Videos

To attract customers and improve user engagement with your Google My Business Profile, it is important that you use recent and high-quality photos and videos in your listing. This is also important because customers will also be able to discover you through Google Lens and visual search.

Some of the best practices that you should follow here:

  • The resolution of your photos and videos should be higher than 720p, the length of your video should be up to 30 seconds, and the file size of your videos should be up to 75 MB.
  • Photos should represent your business as it is in real life, so avoid stock photos, over-editing, and any other forms of misrepresentation.
  • Upload your photos in their respective categories like interior, exterior, products, and team photos.
  • Regularly update your visuals based on the events, seasons, or changes in operations to keep your profile fresh.
Also Read: How to Market Your Business on a Small Budget

Select Correct Business Category and Attributes

This is important because it will help you ensure that your business appears in the correct search query. Attributes will help you give specific details about offerings, services, or features.

Some of the guidelines that you should follow here are:

  • Choose precise categories instead of broad or misleading terms. For example, instead of a restaurant, choose an Italian restaurant.
  • Google now supports sustainability and accessibility-related attributes more. For example, recyclable packaging, carbon-neutral sign language assistance, and wheelchair-friendly.
  • Regularly update and review your business attributes. For example, women-led, pet-friendly, outdoor seating.
  • Make sure you highlight important policies like free wi-fi and contactless payments.

Use Google Posts

Google Posts is one of the best ways of sharing important deals, updates, or highlights from your business. The best practices that you should follow here are:

  • Improve visibility and engagement with the help of fresh and regular content because content older than 3 months is considered outdated. Outdated content will not appear prominently on Google Maps or in search results.
  • Use interactive elements like Q&A and polls.
  • Make sure that the media you use in the posts complies with the file quality standards.
  • Update weekly, avoid over-promotional language like ‘free today’, use a professional tone, and highlight seasonal promotions or special initiatives like community service.

Get Reviews

Reviews are important for attracting new customers as they act as personal recommendations. Getting a 4-star rating will increase your chances of having a higher number of new customers.

Some of the tips that you should follow here are:

  • Make sure that you reply to all reviews – positive and negative in a helpful and professional manner
  • If you reply to reviews or messages within 24 hours, then you will rank better in the local search results
  • Improve and update your business description and FAQ section by taking insights from your review section

Conclusion

It is important to follow the best practices of Google My Business Profile management because it will help you convert potential customers, win the loyalty of existing customers, and boost your traffic and walk-ins. You can even build credibility among your existing and potential customers. Additionally, with Google Business Profile, you will be able to create a simple website that will give your company an online presence.

However, while you will benefit from ranking in the local search queries of Google, what is even better is resorting to Crazy Domain’s Business Directory, which will help your business be found on more than 30 local and international directories, including Facebook, Google, and Bing. To know more, contact us today.