Get the most out of your Google My Business Map listing

Jan 01, 2023

We understand the importance of having a great Google My Business (GMB) map listing to generate free organic traffic from local customers in Google search. A well-optimized GMB listing can help you stand out in local search results and attract more local customers to your business.

GMB listings provide the opportunity to be featured at the top of a search results page next to the Google map when you mix a query of ‘near me’ or a location or suburb in your search. The order of this list of local suppliers is often dependent on the quality of their listing, the relevancy of the listing to the search and also the amount of reviews they have.

To get the most out of your GMB Map listing, there are several key steps that we recommend you complete:

Claim and Verify Your GMB Listing
The first step in optimizing your GMB listing is to claim and verify it. If you haven't already done so, go to Google My Business and claim your listing. Once you have claimed your listing, you will need to verify it by following the instructions provided by Google. Verification typically involves receiving a postcard or phone call from Google to confirm that you are the owner of the business.

Optimise Your Listing Information
Once you have claimed and verified your GMB listing, it's time to optimize the information on your listing. This includes adding your business name, address, phone number, website URL, hours of operation, and any other relevant information about your business.

Make sure that all the information you provide is accurate and up-to-date. This is particularly important for your business address, as it helps Google determine your location and display your listing to users who are searching for businesses in your area.

Add Photos and Videos
Adding photos and videos to your GMB listing is another important step in optimising your listing. This helps potential customers get a better sense of what your business is like and what products or services you offer.

Make sure that you add high-quality photos and videos that are relevant to your business. This might include photos of your products, your storefront, or your team. You can also add virtual tours or 360-degree photos to give users an even better sense of what your business is like.

Encourage Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are an important factor in local search rankings, so it's important to encourage your customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing. This can help you attract more customers and improve your visibility in local search results.

Make it easy for customers to leave reviews by including a link to your GMB listing on your website and in your email signature. You can also encourage customers to leave reviews by offering incentives or discounts to those who leave a review.

Update Your Listing Regularly
Finally, it's important to update your GMB listing regularly to ensure that all the information is accurate and up-to-date. This might include updating your business hours for holidays or special events, adding new photos or videos, or responding to customer reviews.

By regularly updating your GMB listing, you can improve your visibility in local search results and attract more customers to your business. This will ensure that all the information on your listing is accurate and up-to-date, and it will also show Google that your business is active and engaged with your customers.

What if you don’t have a Shopfront
Now, let's address the question of whether you should have a GMB Map listing if you don't have a shopfront. The answer is yes! Even if you don't have a physical storefront, you can still benefit from a GMB listing. For example, if you are a service-based business that operates from a home office, you can still create a GMB listing and provide your service area. This will help potential customers in your service area find you in local search results.

Optimising your GMB listing is an important part of local SEO, and it can help you attract more customers and improve your visibility in local search results. By claiming and verifying your listing, optimising your information, adding photos and videos, encouraging customer reviews, and updating your listing regularly, you can make the most out of your GMB Map listing and improve your local search rankings.

As we specialize in local SEO, we recommend that all businesses create a GMB listing, regardless of whether they have a physical storefront or not. Simply by providing accurate and up-to-date information about your business, you can attract more customers and improve your local search rankings.