How to Create & Optimize Your Listing on Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a free, powerful tool that increases the visibility of your business. If you don’t have a GMB listing set up and optimized for your business, you are likely missing out on valuable, organic search traffic.
Why? Well, when a potential client turns to Google to find a vendor, the “Businesses” section appears near or at the top of the page. If those options are well-rated or otherwise appeal to the lead, those could be the first (or only!) vendors they contact. So, if you aren't on the list, the opportunity is lost.
ACTIONABLE STEP: Set up a listing for your business at business.google.com.
You do need a Google account for this, so I recommend signing in with your (or creating a) business Gmail address, rather than your personal account.
In addition to the basics of adding your business name, logo, and business category, I recommend the following:
Add a description: This should be keyword-rich, covering your services, location, audience/ideal client, owner name, title, experience, and more. Think about what people would be searching for if they were looking for your services, and remember, this also tells Google what your business is all about. Use the full character count!
Add contact info: Add your business phone, address, website and/or booking link, social profiles, hours, etc. (as applicable) so it’s easy for someone to reach you.
Add service areas: Under “Service area,” list your city as well as all surrounding cities that you may serve.
Add photos: Upload high-quality images showcasing your work to attract and book aligned clients.
Request reviews: Positive reviews can attract more clients, while responding to reviews (both positive and negative) demonstrates your commitment to their satisfaction. Click the “Get more reviews” button to grab the direct link and ask past clients to leave you a review. Let them know that it will help you grow your business!
Post updates: You can use the “Add update” area to regularly share special offers, events, new services, announcements, or other visual content.
And that’s it! If you’ve completed these steps to set up your GMB listing, I’d love to hear how it went. Send me a DM so we can connect!
