Introduction
The Basics
Listing Basics
Business Name
Ensure your business name is consistent across all platforms and accurately represents your brand. This uniformity helps build trust with customers and improves your search engine ranking.
Business Address
Provide your complete and accurate business address. For e-commerce entrepreneurs, it’s crucial to include a location where customers can reach you if necessary, such as an office or warehouse.
Phone Number
List a primary phone number that customers can use to contact your business. Having a dedicated business line improves professionalism and customer service.
Business Hours
Keep your business hours up-to-date, including special hours for holidays. This transparency helps manage customer expectations and enhances their experience.
Business Description
Your business description should be concise yet comprehensive, focusing on what separates your business. Incorporate relevant keywords naturally to improve SEO. Here’s a guide to help you optimize your business description:
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Highlight Unique Selling Points: Describe what makes your business unique.
Include Key Services or Products: Mention your primary offerings.
Use Keywords: Integrate keywords that potential customers might use to find your business.
Call to Action: Encourage visitors to take the next step, whether it’s visiting your website or contacting you.
Business Categories
Select the most relevant primary and secondary categories for your business. This helps Google understand what your business is about and improves your visibility for related searches.
Business Attributes and Info
Detail your business attributes such as accessibility, amenities, crowd type, health and safety measures, and service options. These attributes provide customers with essential information and can influence their decision to choose your business.
Business Opening/Founding Date
Provide the exact date your business was established. This information adds credibility and helps build trust with your audience.
Profile Claimed/Verified
Ensure your GMB profile is claimed and verified. This step is crucial for managing your business information and accessing GMB features.
Competitor Audit
Conduct a competitor audit to understand how your listing compares to others in your industry. Look at their descriptions, categories, reviews, and photos to identify areas for improvement in your own listing.
Digital Assets
Business Logo
Upload a high-resolution business logo (720 x 720 pixels). A clear and professional logo helps build brand recognition.
Business Cover Photo
Choose a high-quality cover photo (1024 x 575 pixels) that represents your business. This image will be prominently displayed on your GMB profile.
Interior Photos
Upload at least three interior photos showcasing customer-facing areas like the lobby or front desk. These images help potential customers get a feel for your business environment.
Exterior Photos
Provide three exterior photos from different angles, including views of your business signage and parking lot. These images help customers locate your business.
Team Photos
Include three team photos, such as group shots or action shots of your team at work. These photos humanize your business and build trust with customers.
100% Listing Completion
Correct Name, Address, & Phone Number
Verify that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and consistent across all online platforms.
Primary & Secondary Business Categories
Ensure your primary and secondary business categories are up-to-date and accurately reflect your services or products.
Optimized Business Description
Regularly review and update your business description to keep it optimized for SEO and relevant to your offerings.
Business Hours & Holiday Hours
Maintain accurate business hours, including any changes for holidays. This information helps manage customer expectations.
Website Link
Include a link to your website to drive traffic and provide additional information about your business.
Additional Links
Add links to specific pages like appointment scheduling or menus. These links should have UTM tracking parameters to monitor traffic sources.
Product/Service Information
Regularly update your product or service information to reflect current offerings. Detailed descriptions can improve your search ranking and attract more customers.
Upload Logo & Cover Photo
Ensure your logo and cover photo are current and high-quality. These images are the first impression customers will have of your business.
Additional Photos
Consistently upload new photos to keep your listing engaging. This includes exterior, interior, and team photos.
Messaging Feature
Enable the messaging feature to provide customers with an additional contact option. Quick responses can lead to higher customer satisfaction.
Call Recording
Enable call recording to gain insights into call quality and customer interactions. This data can help improve customer service and marketing strategies.
Reviews
Respond to Reviews
Regularly respond to both positive and negative reviews. Acknowledging customer feedback shows that you value their input and are committed to improving your business.
Review Generation Strategy
Develop a strategy to encourage customers to leave reviews. Positive reviews can significantly impact your business’s reputation and ranking.
Review Generation Campaign
Launch ongoing campaigns to continuously generate reviews. This can include email follow-ups, in-store prompts, or social media requests.
Posts
Create & Publish Offers
Regularly create and publish offers, such as discounts for new customers or limited-time promotions. These offers can attract new customers and encourage repeat business.
Content Calendar
Establish a content calendar for regular posts. Posting at least once a week is recommended, but frequency can vary based on your niche.
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Topically Relevant Posts
Publish posts that are relevant to your business and audience. Each post should include an image (1200 x 900 pixels) to capture attention.
