Google My Business: Complete guide on how to implement it successfully

In a world where online visibility is key to business success, Google My Business (GMB) has become an indispensable tool for businesses of all sizes.

This free platform not only improves your business's online presence, but also makes it easier to connect with potential customers by providing them with accurate and relevant information.

What is Google My Business and what is it for?

Google My Business is a free platform that allows businesses to manage their presence on Google, including search and Google Maps. By creating and optimizing a GMB profile, you can increase your business's visibility in local search results, making it easier for customers to find and connect with you.

GMB allows businesses to provide essential information such as opening hours, address, phone number, website, and more.

How to create a Google My Business profile?

1. Sign up for Google My Business: Go to the official Google My Business site and click “Get started now.” If you already have a Google account, you can use it to sign up.
2. Enter your business information: Fill out all the required fields, such as business name, address, phone number, and category. Make sure the information is accurate and consistent with what you have on other online sites.
3. Verify your business: Google will send a postcard to the address provided with a verification code. Once received, enter the code into your account to verify business ownership.
4. Optimize your listing: Add photos, hours of operation, and be sure to respond to customer reviews. Good optimization can make your business stand out from the competition.

How to optimize your Google My Business profile to improve local SEO?

Optimizing your Google My Business profile not only increases your visibility , but also improves your ranking in local searches. Here are some key strategies:

• Consistent and accurate information: Make sure all information provided is consistent across all online platforms. This includes your name, address, and phone number (NAP).
• Use relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords into your business description and posts. Avoid keyword stuffing; naturalness is key.
• Regular Posting: Keep your profile active by posting updates, offers, and events. Posting can increase engagement and interest in your business.
• Reviews and Responses: Encourage your customers to leave reviews and be sure to respond to them, whether positive or negative. Reviews are a key factor in Google’s ranking algorithm.
• High-quality photos: Add high-quality images of your business, products, and services. Photos not only attract more customers, but they also improve the perception of your brand.

How to manage reviews on Google My Business?

Reviews are a crucial part of Google My Business as they can influence customers' purchasing decisions. Here's how to manage them effectively:

• Ask for reviews: Ask your customers to share their experience on your Google My Business profile. You can do this through a direct link that Google provides.
• Respond quickly: Both positive and negative reviews deserve a quick and professional response. Thank satisfied customers and offer solutions to dissatisfied ones.
• Handle negative reviews gracefully: Not every review will be positive, but it's important to handle them tactfully. Apologize if necessary and show your willingness to resolve any issues.

How to use Google My Business statistics to improve your strategy?

Google My Business offers analytics tools that can help you understand how customers interact with your business online. Here's how to use these statistics to improve your strategy:

• Profile Visits: See how many people visit your profile and what actions they take, such as clicking through to your website or calling your business.
• Direct searches vs. discovery: Google shows you how many users found your business by searching for your specific name versus those who discovered you by category or product.
• Customer Actions: Analyze which actions are most frequent (calls, website visits, requests for directions) and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Share highly engaged posts: Identify which of your posts generated the most engagement and replicate that style in future updates.

What to do after setting up Google My Business?

Once you've set up and optimized your Google My Business profile, the work doesn't end there. To maintain a strong online presence, follow these tips:

• Update your information regularly: Change your hours during holidays, update photos and post news about your business.
• Engage with your audience: Respond to questions and reviews, and encourage engagement with your posts.
• Monitor performance: Use Google My Business statistics to continue improving and fine-tuning your profile.

By following these steps, you'll be in a great position to make the most of Google My Business and stand out from the competition in your local area .

Written by Moises Hamui Abadi : I am an entrepreneur, founding partner of Viceversa and SoyMacho. After leading several digital businesses and advising several other businesses, I decided to form MHA Consulting, a digital marketing consultancy dedicated to growing and empowering digital businesses in more than 7 countries and generating more than 1,500 million pesos.