It is sometimes difficult to see change as it is happening. Much like looking into a mirror, you don’t notice subtle differences in the world around you until you truly focus. If you haven’t been keeping track of the many ways that Google has made us incredibly dependent on it for everything from what we buy to the information about the world that we live in, if you stop to pay attention it really has been a wild ride for internet users and small businesses alike. Although it might sometimes seem like Google corners all of the services so that you have to pay for exposure, they do every once in a while throw small and large corporations a bone. That bone, which is entirely free for use and one that you should be using, is Google My Business.
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free listing that all businesses can claim and use for promotion and advertising. Since Google Maps has become one of the leading ways that people look for local products and services, it is the best way to gain exposure for no cost besides time and energy. Be active and you can move to the “local 3-pack.” What is the local 3-pack? When you do an organic search for a product or service in your area, Google Maps will give you a condensed version of what is in your area. For viewers, it can look like a recommendation or accolade. For you, it is free advertising and a very powerful tool.
How Do You Get a Google My Business Account?
Any business that has a location listed online will have a Google My Business Listing. If you think you don’t have one, then you probably just need to claim it. It is possible for someone else to claim your listing, but they will need some verification. The best way to avoid the many hiccups that come from someone else claiming your listing and your ability to recover it is to go to your listing and follow the prompts today to get started.
Is It Hard to Manage My Google My Business Listing?
There are many things in marketing and advertising that are best left to the experts who know the ins and outs of how to do things. Google My Business was created for the average business owner to use the power of their individual listing. It is similar to the Yellow Pages, where businesses can showcase their business name, address, and contact info, but there are so many more ways to use it; the possibilities are endless and only keep growing with its popularity. Unlike the Yellow Pages, it isn’t about alphabetizing your business name or buying ad space. Everyone on Google My Business is equal and equally able to get ahead.
What Are the Factors that Will Help Your Google Rankings?
SEO requires you to use many tips and tricks of the trade to come up first in an organic search for your product or listing. Google My Business helps you gain a local presence when someone is searching. According to statistics, nearly 40% of people use their mobile devices to search locally for what they want. If you can get them to view you locally on a map, you are more likely to get foot traffic directly from an organic search. Google takes many factors into consideration to rank you against your competitors. The key to local SEO is to make full use of your Google My Business Listing.
Keep Content Fresh
At the heart of SEO ranking are keywords and key phrases. They are what search engines use to match searchers with businesses to find the best fit. When you create your website, Google classifies the pages according to the keywords on the individual pages. Those pages do not vary much over time. We consider those pages “static” content. Revolving or new content from blog entries, videos and images, or anything that you add to your website that refreshes the content and enhances your keyword saturation, helps. Google My Business ties into the campaign because it allows you to add content like ratings, reviews, images, videos, and any information that will enhance the customers’ experience. Google ties in your ratings, reviews, and activity on Google My Business to see how relevant and active you are.
Google’s EAT Principle
People in the SEO community recognized many years ago that the key to increasing a business’ ranking on search engines is through the use of having not just the right keywords but also needing the right saturation of them. Over time, search engines began to see that the internet was becoming “choked” with keywords and phrases. This not only didn’t increase the user’s experience; it was actually decreasing it because content was being posted for content’s sake. So Google came up with the EAT principle. The EAT principle stands for “Expertise,” “Authoritative,” and “Trustworthiness.” That changed the way that content is viewed, used, and classified. From that point on, if you posted just to post, you could do yourself more harm than if you let your website sit idle.
Consistency Is the Key
Google My Business is a way to gain exposure. It can also grow your EAT specifically through ratings and reviews, and give visitors the information about you that they need, like hours of operation, location, and promotions. It does matter, though, how you present yourself and the reputation that you convey. You want to make sure that all of the information that you display is correct and cohesive across your website, your social media posts and data, and your Google listing. Google is a stickler for consistency. Nowhere is it more important to be paying attention than on your Google My Business Listing.
Reputation Is Everything
The notion that reputation is everything is not new. Successful businesspeople have known for years that the key to their success lies in their customers’ experience. Now, however, if you have someone who is thrilled with your customer service, that can enhance you immediately without you doing anything. In reverse, however, they can leave a poor review that can also tank your reputation. That is why being active and watching over your Google My Business listing is so important. There is no way to please everyone; we all know that. But there are always ways to make things better or at least respond to someone’s poor experience and set the record straight. The more ratings and reviews you have, the higher your ranking will be and the more likely it is that searchers will find you locally and choose you over your competitors.
Conclusion
Google is pretty good at keeping exposure on the internet locked down and forcing businesses to pay for it. But Google My Business is completely free and something that you would be foolish not to take advantage of. But you also can’t take your eyes off the ball. Although it is simple, it can become a full-time job to maintain your reputation, solicit reviews, and ensure that you are monitoring everything you should. At A Digital Media Company, we take the lead on making sure that you look good – because if you don’t, we can’t either. Contact us today and let’s take your exposure to the next level!
