In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any business that wants to succeed. One of the best ways to establish an online presence is by creating a Google Business Profile. A Google Business Profile is a free online listing that displays essential information about a business, such as the business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
However, just having a Google Business Profile isn’t enough to ensure success. It’s crucial to ensure that the business profile is complete and up-to-date, as this can impact your local SEO rankings, click-through rates, and user experience.
Boost Your Local SEO
Considering 93% of global traffic comes from Google Search, Google Images, and Google Maps, a complete Google Business Profile can significantly boost your business’ local SEO rankings. By providing all the relevant information about your business, such as the name, address, phone number, website, services or products offered, you make it easier for search engines like Google to understand what that business does and where it’s located.
Increase Click-Through Rates
Potential customers are much more likely to click on a business profile with complete and accurate information. Businesses with a Google Business Profile are 94% more likely to be viewed as reputable and 96% of consumers accessed a Google Business Profile within the past week before making a purchasing decision.
A complete Google Business Profile can also help your business stand out from its competitors in search results. By providing detailed information about the products or services offered, hours of operation, and other details, you’re making it easier for potential customers to choose your business over the competitors.
To improve click-through rates, be sure to include high-quality photos and videos that showcase your business and its products or services.
Visibility on Google Maps
Considering, 86% of people look up a business’ location using Google Maps, having a presence on Google Maps is crucial for any local business. An optimized Google Business Profile ensures that your local business is discoverable on Google Maps, catering to the growing number of mobile users searching for local businesses. Google Maps also enables customers to easily locate your physical store or office. With just a few taps on their mobile devices, they can get directions to the business’ exact location, encouraging more foot traffic and spontaneous visits from customers already in the vicinity.
A presence on Google Maps is also closely tied to local SEO. Optimizing Google Business Profile and ensuring consistent business information means your business has a better chance of appearing in the “Local Pack” or the top results when users perform local searches.
Visibility in Voice Search Results
With more than 1 billion voice searches taking place every month, local businesses can greatly benefit from doing everything they can to appear in voice searches. 22% of all Google voice search queries are about local businesses, with Google powering some of the most popular voice search devices such as Google Home, Google Assistant, and voice search on Android phones and devices.
Optimizing for voice search is unique because voice searches will use natural or spoken language such as “Find the best Italian restaurant near me” or “Where can I buy running shoes?” Google’s voice search will rely heavily on accurate and up-to-date business information to provide relevant answers. One way you can help optimize your voice search is by answering the Q&A questions users ask your business in your Google Business Profile. Make sure you answer these questions in a natural spoken language and use appropriate keywords or Google attributes wherever possible.