Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool which helps small businesses in managing how their business appears on Google Search and Maps. It supports small businesses in creating and managing their Google listings and attract new customers. Google My Business (GMB) comprises of adding your business name, location, and working hours. It aids in monitoring customer reviews and replying to the queries or complaints. You can add photos using GMB and also gather information on where and how people are searching for you, and more.
If you are new to the world of google and eCommerce and are just starting with local SEO, Google My Business (GMB) listing is the best place to focus on during your early days. It is a known fact that, when people are searching for a specific product or service near them, they’re generally very close to making a purchase. So it is very important that your business information shows up when people search on. Make sure that the information provided on Google is precise, complete, and enhanced.
Need and importance of Google My Business listing:
Prominence
A Google My Business (GMB) listing can help one’s business to stand out in search results. It will highlight your business and will ensure people find your business, whether it’s online or offline. GMB listings will assure your business name will reflect in brand name searches, this guarantee of prominence is not applicable for automatic ‘business type’ results. A well planned and informed GMB can help you get into the top three search results, this will be a great way to drive people to your website or physical store.
Importance of local search
Google My Business (GMB) is mainly about local search it includes searches made by prospects around your location or searches made away from the location, but the location name is mentioned in the search. For example, if a user is searching for TV repair in the Dallas area, they will search TV repair and all the TV repair businesses in his area will be listed first. If a person is travelling to Dallas and wants a TV repair shop there, he will type, TV repair Dallas to get listings of Dallas area.
Statistics show that 46% of all Google searches are local, and the GMB ‘three-pack’ of results show in 93% of all the local searches conducted. If you are wanting to improve your chances of appearing in local search results, then a Google My Business listing is the key.
Importance of mobile search
Local search online is generally made from smartphones or tablets. Mobile search now accounts for maximum searches made online for almost any top industry.
Some common searches for food and drinks, are profoundly weighted towards mobile searches, making visibility for mobile searches extremely important. Google My Business (GMB) plays a crucial role as these listings dominate mobile search results.
Competition
If your competitors are already using GMB, then are high chances that people will have difficulty to find your site in local searches. Your site will be less visible, and people will need to scroll down a lot on the search results page, to find your site. Having your own GMB listing helps you to compete with other businesses on a common level.
And if luckily your competitors don’t have a GMB listing, you surely have a strong advantage over them. Your mobile and local search results will be more prominent and prospective customers will be more likely to see your listing.
Convenience for customers
Listings provide vital information quickly for searchers helping them to find the right business and decide on their visit or purchase. Customers can get important information like store working hours, maps to help with directions making it more likely for the searchers to visit the store.
Credibility
Web users are now habituated to seeing business profiles on search pages, seeing your listing in these top searches will lend credibility to your business. The GMB listings look professional and provide vital information to the people. It helps them in deciding whether your business is credible or not. The customer reviews help in gathering the right focus or credibility.
Free and Easy to set up
A GMB listing has many possible benefits, and it is free. It is very easy to set up and list your business on the GMB listings. It is a wonderful way to protect your business online and create a positive profile.
Customer Insights
Once your Google My Business profile is set up, you will receive monthly insights email from Google which will break down the performance of your local listing. It will provide key statistics like how many people viewed your listing, how many clicked to visit your site, how many called you directly from the listing information.
Google My Business for Local SEO Success
A successful local SEO and local business ranking require a long list of essentials like producing good quality, locally optimized content and earning links back to your site. But the best place for anyone is to start is by optimizing their Google My Business listing and starting to encourage reviews. Doing this will surely help you in laying a great foundation for your local SEO!