A Complete Guide for Local SEO

 

From Google Search and the Google Maps App, find out how to manage your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) through local SEO.

A Complete Guide to Local SEO for the New Google Business Profile

 

Google My Business (GMB), the company’s local listing platform, will now be known as Google Business Profile, according to a recent announcement from Google.

We advise small businesses to handle their profiles directly on Search or Maps going ahead. To keep things simple, “Google My Business” is being renamed to “Google Business Profile,” as stated in the formal statement by Matt Madrigal, VP/GM Merchant Shopping.

Additionally, he continued, “in 2022, we’ll stop supporting the Google My Business app so that more businesses can benefit from the improved Search and Maps experiences.

There were also a few new features included with the rebranding announcement.

What does this mean for the millions of brand owners, marketers, and company owners who rely on GMB (now GBP) as a component of their local internet presence?

How Has My Google Business Profile Changed Recently?

 

A few months ago, you could modify the information in your business profile from search, but now you can also complete verification or address any issues with your business profile straight from search.

Simply perform a search for your business on Google or in the Google Maps app to find the opportunity to authenticate your business profile or address any other problems it might be experiencing, such as a suspension.

From Search and Maps, manage your Google Business profiles.

You can alter the details people find when looking for your company through search or Maps, such as your address and opening hours, as well as publish posts and reply to customer reviews.

All companies that build a Google Business Profile over the coming months will be able to finish their set up on Google Search and Maps. Additionally, you can check to see if anyone can view your profile.

Let’s discuss a few advantages of using Google Business Profiles for local SEO as well as some methods for updating your data on Google search and maps.

Exactly why should local SEO use Google Business Profiles?

 

Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. This is one of the greatest local SEO methods that any qualified local business can utilize to rank higher on Google and get local customers.

Claim your Google Business Profile, but that’s just the beginning. You also need to optimize, regularly review and add new information to your Business Profile.

For best results, keep your Google Business Profile updated. Ipsos Research claims that a current Google Business Profile:

Many companies are also unaware that Google and any user have the ability to edit their company profile, including changing the address, opening hours, uploading images, receiving reviews, and more.

Therefore, you must frequently verify your Google Business Profile to make sure that no mistakes have been done.

Always adhere to Google’s recommendations

 

You are playing on Google’s playground if you have a Google Business Profile.

To avoid having your business profile suspended, you must abide by Google’s Business Profile rules

In the end, your Google Business Profile is not only yours but also a community profile.

 

Your Google Business Profile may be updated by just about anybody online, and Google actively promotes user-generated material including reviews, Q&As, updates, images, videos, and more.

You must confirm the legitimacy of any content you could upload to your profile.

How to Manage a Multi-Location Business Google Business Profile

 

Utilize the Google Business Profile Manager to manage your profiles.

The ideal approach to manage your profiles if your company has numerous locations or if you work for an agency that oversees multiple client locations is to sign in to the Business Profile Manager dashboard.

Managed of Business Profiles

You have the most flexibility in managing many profiles on one dashboard with the Business Profile Manager.

Manage your Google Business profile directly from search or the Google Maps app for single-location businesses

 

The simplest approach to manage your Google Business Profile if you are a local company with just one location is from Google Search, which is most likely available all day on your computer.

Additionally, you may control directly from the Google Maps app. In light of this, how do you manage your profile from Search or Maps?

Your Knowledge Panel and a Google Business Profile edit panel will appear when you enter your company name in the search bar while logged in with the Gmail email address you use to manage your Google Business Profile:

Direct Editing of Business Profile Information from Search

Your edit panel and Knowledge Panel will appear if you just type “my business” into Google search (this doesn’t work on the Maps App):

Edit Panel for a Company Profile

Let’s discuss a few of the features from Search and Maps that you may alter.

First, by selecting the “Edit Your Business Information” link from Search, you can make changes to the information about your company that is displayed in your Knowledge Panel:

Edit the data in the business profile

You can make basic changes to your Google Business Profile from here.

Changes to your business’s category, description, opening day, hours, and other details are all possible:

edit company data from the knowledge panel

If you see the Update Your Customers option in your Knowledge Panel, you can create an update post directly from Search.

Make a post.

Instead of just editing from your Knowledge Panel, you can make more changes from the edit panel on the left-hand side of the screen.

When you click on Edit profile you get several options to edit.

Edit Profile From Search

How To Optimize Your Google Business Profile

 

From here you can edit a ton of information – all from your Google search screen!

Business Information

When you click on the Business information section, you can edit the basic info, like About, Contact, Locate, Hours, and More.

The More section links to the Business Profile Manager where you’ll be connected to the traditional dashboard.

Hours

According to Google Consumer Barometer, 40% of local business searchers want to find hours of operation for local businesses.

That means you must keep your hours current – especially holiday hours. Updating your hours is super simple to change through Google Search.

When you select hours, you get more detailed information you can update. Not only can you change your hours of operation (which must be when your employees are located at your business), but you can also choose to:

Open with main hours.

Open with no main hours.

Temporarily Closed (Show that your business will open again in the future).

Permanently Closed (Show your business no longer exists).

You even have the option to add more hours.

Depending on what type of business you operate, this is a great feature to have available.

Products

If you sell products at your store or business, adding products to your Google Business Profile is a great way to show off what you have to sell! (Remember, online-only businesses are NOT allowed to claim Google Business Profiles.)

It’s simple to list products! Click on the Get Started button and answer the simple questions:

Product Name.

Category – If you don’t have a category already set up, you can create one.

Price or Price Range.

Product Description.

Photo.

Once you’ve entered all the information, just click Publish to make the product live on your Google Business Profile Knowledge Panel.

Services work remarkably like Products – but it’s catered to Service Area Businesses (SABs) (like landscapers, plumbers, handymen, roofers, locksmiths, etc.) or companies that offer services to customers or clients (like lawyers, accountants, personal trainers, etc.)

Adding services is super easy

 

You’ll see your primary category. If you don’t already see some services listed, you can create a custom service by clicking on the + Add custom service link.

Add Photos

 

Local searchers love to see pictures. According to Google, businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions.

When you upload real pictures of your company – like your building, signage, products, services, team members, activities that your company does (like volunteer work), etc. – you are humanizing your brand.

Click on the Promote button and you’ll be given plenty of options to help promote your business using Google Business Profile features.

Here, you have a variety of ways you can market and promote your business.

When you select Performance, you can get insights as to how your Google Business Profile is “pulling” with searchers – an overview of performance, how many calls you received, the number of messages, bookings, directions, and website clicks.

You can also click the link to find out more about Google Ads, add photos, get a short link to ask for reviews, and create posts.

Customers The Customers section allows you to engage with your customers in ways that are easier than ever before.

Customers in Google My Business, now Google Business Profile

 

From the Customers section, you can see and reply to reviews you’ve received from customers and clients, view and respond to messages (remember to reply within 24 hours!), and even answer questions people have asked in the Q&A section.

Other Editing Features

 

If that weren’t enough, there are even more editing features available to you.

In the scrolling box, you can edit even more information, like adding exterior pictures, seeing your call history, add an update post quickly and easily.

Keep in mind that what you see may be different depending on your category or what features you have “turned on” in your Google Business Profile.

Quickly keep customers up-to-date by adding details to your listing, promoting your business with Google ads, or adding any details that may be missing from your Business Profile.

If you don’t already have messaging turned on, you can easily turn on the messaging feature directly from search or Maps, request reviews from your customers by sharing a review form, and even get a custom email!