business profile in google

How to build your business profile in Google and boost your online presence

Is local SEO on your to-do list for your business?

If your business isn’t appearing for relevant Google searches in your locality then you’re definitely missing out. It’s crucial for your online presence that Google knows where your business is located, as well as what it offers.

Optimising your local search profile can benefit your business in a couple of ways:

  • People who search for services in their vicinity are likely to be ready to buy from a local business just like yours.
  • It can be easier to rank in Google Maps than in organic search results, where you’re competing against businesses from different areas offering the same services.

Luckily, it’s relatively straightforward to build your business profile in Google and rank for local searches using Google My Business.

The benefits of Google My Business

The free Google My Business tool allows you to optimise how your business appears in Google ‘Map’ results. By adding your business to the Google Directory you unlock a valuable opportunity to showcase your business offering and interact with your ideal customers.

For example, you can:

1. Add a benefit-driven description and call-to-action:

Take the opportunity to describe your services and highlight what makes your business unique from your local competition.

2. Share photos and videos:

According to Google, “Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions to their location from users on Google, and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t have photos.”

So, adding images to your Google My Business listing can really benefit your ranking. Choose photos that show your business in action and highlight your brand.

You can also add short videos to your profile, which is another great way to educate and engage potential customers.

3. Reply to customer reviews

A Google My Business listing allows users to leave reviews for your business, which can be a valuable source of information for potential customers.

You can also take the opportunity to respond to customer reviews, in order to thank customers or provide more information. This highlights that you care about your customer’s experience and are responsive to their feedback. Worried about spam or malicious reviews? Check out our guide on how to remove negative reviews on Google.

Need help with your online business profile?

At Net Branding, we know that SEO and getting your business to rank well in search engines can feel confusing and overwhelming. As well as offering complete SEO services, we’re proud to offer a specific local SEO service that can be a very affordable way of promoting your business online.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you build your business profile in Google and get found in local search results.