Google My Business (GMB) is the search engine’s business directory, similar to other directories like Yelp or Yellow Pages.
GMB is extremely useful for users to find the information they need about your business, such as location, phone number, website, product/services, operating hours, and customer reviews.
By properly optimising your GMB listing you will increase the chances on showing up in three places:
- The knowledge panel, a panel of information that a user gets when they search for a specific business
- The local pack (also known as a snack pack or 3-pack), which shows up right under the ad portion on the search engine results page but above the organic results.
- Google Maps, which can be used either through the mobile app or through a browser by clicking ‘Maps’ in Google Search.
So, without any further due, let’s proceed to the top 5 things that will dramatically impact your GMB Listing rankings:
#1 Your Business Name
The name of your business has a direct correlation with how highly you rank locally in Google Search. Typically businesses that include a keyword in their name tend to rank and perform better than those which don’t have one.
#2 Primary Business Category
Choosing the correct ‘primary’ category and ‘secondary’ categories is also a factor that will impact your rankings.
We recommend first finding out your competitor’s categories by searching for your primary keyword on Google Maps. For example, our primary keyword is ‘website designer’. Then, look at the top three results and click on each of those listings. Take note of the primary category, especially if they all have the same one.
You can also take note of the secondary categories, however, remember that they are not viewable on your listing (you will have to right-click on the listing, then click ‘View Source’).
#3 Reviews
Reviews are a major component of your GMB listing and one of the most important factors that contribute to your local ranking. Plenty of high ratings and positive reviews signal to Google that you’re a trusted business that provides excellent services to its customers.
It’s also important to respond promptly to google reviews (both the positive and negative ones if you have some).
#4 Optimised Website
Having an optimised site plays a significant role in local SEO as well. By adding location signals to your website, this tactic packs a 1-2 punch: you can increase your rank in the organic SERP as well as the local pack.
Most businesses tend to link to the home page, however, if you have different locations, products, or services you could actually tailor specific geo-targeted pages to increase your rankings and conversions.
#5 Completeness of your GMB Profile
Ensuring you have all the main details of your profile such as phone number, locations, business description is a strong signal for Google to determine whether they should or not rank your profile.
You should also continuously optimise your GMB listing by posting relevant posts, adding geotag images to increase your prominence, relevance and proximity in Google’s eyes which are the three pillars of local SEO.
Improve your GMB Rankings with eWebsites
If you need help optimising your business to help you rank higher on Google, give eWebsites a call today.
As a leading digital marketing agency, we work with medium to large businesses all over Australia to create customised SEO strategies that improve your web traffic, increase your phone calls, and help you land more sales.
Get in touch with us today and discover how we can help you to boost your GMB rankings, get found by local customers and grow your business faster.
