Google My Business (GMB) is a free and easy way for businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. GMB lets you create and verify your business listing, add photos, share updates, and more.
When it comes to SEO, GMB is an often overlooked opportunity that can help improve your website’s search engine ranking. A well-optimized GMB profile can result in increased web traffic and higher conversion rates. In this article, we will show you how to conduct a Google My Business SEO audit.
The Google My Business Checklist
The Google My Business Checklist is a comprehensive guide to creating and managing your business listing on Google. The checklist includes everything from verifying your business information to setting up Google Maps and posting photos. By following the steps in the checklist, you can make sure that your business listing is accurate and well-rounded, and that customers can find you when they’re searching for businesses like yours online.
The first step in creating or updating your Google My Business listing is to verify your business information. This means making sure that all of your contact details are correct and up-to-date. You can verify your information by postcard, phone call, or through an automated verification process.
Once your business information is verified, you can start adding other details to your listing, such as hours of operation, product/service offerings, and customer reviews. Be sure to keep your information up-to-date as it changes; otherwise, customers may not be able to find what they’re looking for when they visit your website or shop at your store.
To set up Google Maps integration with your listing, simply create a free account with Google Maps then add a map marker representing your location.
Find Local Competitors
If you’re looking to improve your Google My Business profile, it’s important to look for local competitors and see what they’re doing well. By studying your competition, you can learn what tactics work best and adapt them to your own business.
One way to find local competitors is by using a tool like Google Maps. Simply type in the name of your business and click on the “Local Results” tab. This will show you a list of businesses that are similar to yours.
Another way to find competitors is by using a tool like Alexa.com. This tool allows you to see how popular websites rank in different countries. You can then use this information to find businesses in those countries that are doing well online.
Once you’ve identified some local competitors, it’s time to start analyzing their profiles. Take a look at their website, their social media accounts, and their Google My Business listing. See what tactics they’re using and try to incorporate some of those tactics into your own profile.
Remember, the key is to always be adaptable and keep trying new things. The more effort you put into optimizing your profile, the better results you’ll see.
Check Your Competition
There are a few things business owners can do to check their competition and improve their Google My Business (GMB) profile.
The first step is to type the business name into Google and see what comes up. If there are any discrepancies between what is displayed on the GMB profile and what is shown in search results, it’s important to correct them. Incorrect information can create confusion for customers and may give competitors an edge.
Another thing to check is the accuracy of the business hours. Make sure they are entered correctly and kept up-to-date, especially if the business changes its hours seasonally.
It’s also important to monitor customer reviews and respond promptly to any negative feedback. Address any concerns or complaints and try to turn them into positive reviews. The more positive reviews a business has, the higher it will rank in search results.
Run a Proximity Audit
A proximity audit is an important step in optimizing your Google My Business profile. By taking a look at your business’ location and how it compares to other businesses in your industry, you can determine what changes you may need to make in order to improve your visibility and ranking.
There are a few key things to look for when conducting a proximity audit:
-Are you listed in the correct categories?
-Are you showing up in the correct geographical areas?
-How does your business compare to others in terms of distance?
-What changes can you make to improve your visibility and ranking?
By taking the time to conduct a proximity audit, you can make sure that your Google My Business profile is as accurate and effective as possible.
Listing Titles
Listing titles are important for your Google My Business (GMB) profile because they appear as the title of your business on Google Maps and in search engine results pages (SERPs).
To create effective listing titles, include the name of your business, your city, and a keyword or two that describes what you do.
For example, if you own a pizza shop in Portland, Oregon, your listing title might be “Pizza Shop | Portland, OR | Eat Pizza.”
Keep in mind that your listing title should be brief and to-the-point so that it’s easy for customers to identify your business.
Optimize GMB categories
Since optimizing your GMB categories is one of the most important things you can do to improve your Google My Business profile, it’s important to take the time to get it right. Here are a few tips for optimizing your GMB categories:
1. Choose the most relevant categories for your business.
2. Make sure your categories are specific enough to accurately describe your business.
3. Avoid using general or too-broad categories.
4. Make sure your categories are in line with what people are searching for.
5. Use keywords in your category titles whenever possible.
6. Check to see if there are any official category recommendations from Google.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your GMB profile is as accurate and effective as possible.
Website Links
When it comes to optimizing your Google My Business Profile, website links are a key factor. Not only do they help to improve your visibility on Google, but they also provide potential customers with additional information about your business. In order to make the most of your website links, be sure to include keywords that are relevant to your business. You can also use anchor text, which is the text you use to hyperlink your website, to help improve your ranking on Google.
If you’re not sure how to go about including website links in your Google My Business Profile, don’t worry! Here are a few easy steps:
1. Go to google.com/business and click “Start now.”
2. Enter the name of your business and click “.”
3. Click the blue “Verify now” button.
4. On the next page, click the “Website” tab and enter your website URL.
5. Click Add
6. Copy the HTML code from the “Embed Code” box and paste it into the HTML of your website
7. Save your changes and test the link by clicking on it
If you follow these steps, you’ll be able to improve your visibility on Google and provide potential customers with additional information about your business. And don’t forget to update your website links whenever you make changes to your website!
LocalBusiness Markup
There are a few things that you can do in order to optimize your Google My Business Profile for LocalBusiness markup. First, make sure that your business information is accurate and up to date. This includes your business name, address, and phone number. You can also include additional information like your website URL, hours of operation, and categories.
In addition to ensuring that your business information is correct, you can also use LocalBusiness markup to add additional features to your profile. For example, you can add photos, videos, and reviews. This will help potential customers learn more about your business and what it has to offer.
Finally, be sure to respond to reviews from customers. This not only helps improve your customer service but it also shows Google that you care about your customers and their experience with your business.
Google Reviews
If you’re looking for a dependable, experienced, and affordable plumber, Google ‘s reviews can help you find the best one for the job. By reading through customer reviews, you can learn about a business’s work ethic, pricing, and overall quality. Plus, if you’re ever unhappy with a service, you can leave a review to warn others.
When it comes to finding a great local business, Google My Business profiles are a great resource. With up-to-date information on hours of operation, contact info, and more, you can quickly learn all you need to know about a company. And if you’re looking for some extra assurance, be sure to check out the business’s reviews.
3rd Party Reviews
Reviews are an important part of any business, but especially for small businesses. They can help you to build trust with potential customers, and show that you’re a credible business. Not only that, but they can also help you to rank higher in Google search results.
There are a few things that you can do to make sure that your reviews are as effective as possible. Firstly, make sure that you’re asking your customers for reviews. You can do this on your website, or even on your receipts. Secondly, make sure that you’re responding to any reviews that you receive. This shows potential customers that you care about what they have to say, and it also helps to build trust. Finally, make sure that you’re using a reputable review platform. Google My Business is a great option, as it’s closely tied in with Google search results.
Social Profiles
When it comes to optimizing your Google My Business profile, social media is a huge factor. Having a strong social media presence can help improve your ranking on Google, and can also help customers learn more about your business. Here are some tips for creating social profiles that will help optimize your Google My Business listing:
1. Use high-quality images and videos
People are more likely to engage with businesses that have attractive, high-quality images and videos. Make sure to use clear, bright images that showcase your products or services.
2. Be consistent with your branding
Your branding should be consistent across all of your social media profiles. This includes using the same color palette, fonts, and logo. This will help customers better recognize your brand online.
3. Share valuable content
Make sure to share valuable content that will interest your customers. This could include blog posts, infographics, images, or videos. By providing useful information, you can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
CRO Audit
A CRO (conversion rate optimization) audit is an important step in improving the effectiveness of your Google My Business (GMB) listing. By identifying and addressing any issues with your website’s user experience (UX), you can help improve your conversion rates and drive more business to your GMB listing.
Some of the key areas that should be assessed as part of a CRO audit include:
– Homepage design and layout
– Navigation and usability
– Form design and layout
– Call to action buttons
– Overall website design and branding
If you are not sure where to start, or need help getting started, there are a number of professional conversion rate optimization services available that can help you get the most out of your GMB listing.
Listing Verification
Listing verification is an important process to ensure that your business information is accurate and up-to-date on Google. The verification process helps Google confirm the accuracy of your listing information, including your name, address, phone number, and website.
When you complete the verification process, you’ll receive a confirmation message from Google. After verifying your listing, make sure to keep your information up to date by submitting changes through the Google My Business dashboard.
Additional checklist items
1. Make sure your business is verified
When you create a Google My Business account, you will be prompted to verify your business ownership. This can be done by postcard, phone call, or a verification code. Verifying your business helps to ensure that the information listed is accurate and that only authorized individuals can make changes to your account.
2. Complete all of the information fields
Make sure to fill out all of the information fields for your business. This will help customers find you online and give them all the information they need to contact you.
3. Add photos and videos
Adding high-quality photos and videos of your business can help attract customers and give them a better idea of what your business is like.
4. Use keywords in your listing
Including relevant keywords in your listing can customers find you more easily online. Try to use terms that people would likely use when searching for businesses like yours.
5. Claim your free Google listing
If you haven’t already, claim your free Google listing for your business. This will help you appear in local search results and provide potential customers with all the necessary information about your business.
How to Improve Your Google Business Profile
When it comes to optimizing your Google Business Profile, there are a few key things you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your listing. First, make sure all of your business information is correct and up to date. This includes your business name, address, and phone number. You can also add a link to your website, and upload a photo of your business.
Next, be sure to complete your profile completely. This includes filling out all of the fields in the “About” section, as well as adding keywords and a brief description of your business. Finally, be sure to respond to customer reviews. This helps show potential customers that you’re engaged with your business and care about your customers’ experiences.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Google Business Profile is as effective as possible in helping you reach new customers online.
How to to Boost Your Google Visibility
When it comes to optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile, there are a few key things to keep in mind in order to boost your visibility and get the most out of the platform. To start with, make sure that all of your business information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your business name, address, and phone number. You should also add a Google Business Profile page for your business, and make sure that your website is listed correctly.
In addition, you can improve your GMB visibility by creating rich content on your website and on other online platforms. This could include blog posts, articles, infographics, or videos related to your business. You can also use keywords and phrases related to your business in your online content, as this will help to improve your local ranking in Google search results.
By following these tips, you can improve your GMB profile and boost your visibility online. This will help you to connect with more customers and grow your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I conduct Google Business Profile audit?
There are a few key things to keep in mind when auditing your GMB account:
1. Make sure all of your information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
2. Claim your business listing. This will ensure that your business appears in Google Maps and search results.
3. Review your business page and make sure it looks good and is effective in marketing your business.
4. Add photos and videos to your page to give potential customers a better idea of what your business is like.
5. Use keywords in your page titles and a business description to help improve your local rankings in search results.
6. Monitor your reviews and respond to any negative reviews promptly and professionally.
7. Use Google AdWords to create targeted ads for your business.
8. Analyze your website traffic to see how people are finding you online, and make changes as needed to improve your visibility.
How do I check if GMB is verified?
Google My Business (GMB) verification is an important step in establishing your business’ online presence. To verify your business with GMB, you must claim your business listing and submit verification documents.
There are a few ways to check if your business is verified on GMB. The first way is to check the listing’s status on GMB. To do this, open GMB and click on the three lines in the top left corner. Select “Listings” and then choose the business you want to check. On the right-hand side of the page, you should see “Status” and it should say “Verified.”
The second way to check if your business is verified is to look for the verification badge on your website. This badge lets customers know that your business is legitimate and has been verified by Google. To add the badge to your website, open GMB and go to “Settings.” Select “Website” and then enter the website address where you want the badge to appear. Click on “Verify” and then click on “Add Badge.”
The final way to check if your business is verified is to use Google Search Console (GSC). To do this, open GSC and sign in with the same email address and password you use for GMB. Once you’re signed in, select your business from the list of properties. Under the “Verifications” tab, you should see a section called “Business Verified?” If it says “Yes,” then your business has been verified.
Does Google my business affect SEO?
Google My Business is a feature of Google that allows business owners to create a free business listing on Google.com and Google Maps. The listing includes the business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
Google My Business can help your business to be found by customers on Google.com and Google Maps. The listing will appear in search results when people search for your business or related terms.
The Google My Business listing can also include a photograph of your business, and customer reviews. You can encourage your customers to write reviews about your business on Google by providing them with a link to your business listing.
You can also use Google My Business to keep track of how your business is doing on Google. The “Insights” tab shows how many people have viewed your listing, clicked through to your website, called you, and sent you messages.
How does Google My business work?
Google My Business (GMB) is a free and easy-to-use business listing service offered by Google. It allows businesses to create free Google business profiles, which includes basic information such as the business name, address, hours of operation, and website. In addition, businesses can add photos, videos, and posts to their profile to help attract customers. Customers can use GMB to find local businesses, read reviews, and get directions.
GMB is an especially useful tool for small businesses who want to increase their online visibility. By creating a GMB profile, businesses can make sure that their information is accurate and up-to-date across Google Maps, Google Search, and Google Business Profile. They can also add special offers and coupons to their profile to help drive traffic to their business.
To create a GMB profile, visit google.com/business. Click Get Started and follow the steps to create a profile. Once your profile is created, be sure to add keywords so that your business will show up in relevant local searches. You can also claim your business listing on Google Maps so that it appears prominently in search results.
How do I conduct an SEO audit for my website?
The first step in conducting an local SEO audit for your website is to analyze your website’s current SEO situation. You can use a variety of online tools and resources to help you with this, such as Moz’s Open Site Explorer, Google Search Console, and SEMrush.
Once you have an understanding of your website’s current SEO state, you can begin to identify any areas that need improvement. Key things to look for include:
- Areas of your website that are not properly indexed by search engines
- Duplicate content on your website
- Incorrect or missing meta data
- Poor website structure and navigation
- Lack of keyword optimization throughout your website
Once you have identified any areas in need of improvement, you can begin to develop a plan of action to address them. This may include making changes to your website’s content, structure, and navigation, as well as implementing SEO best practices such as optimizing your titles and metatags, building backlinks, and increasing your site’s page loading speed.
If you’re not sure where to start or need help getting started, there are a number of professional SEO services that can assist you with conducting an SEO business audit template for your website.
What is Google Business Profile SEO?
Google business profile SEO is the practice of optimizing a company’s Google My Business profile for search engines. This can involve adding keywords to the profile’s title, description, and categories, as well as optimizing the profile’s images and website links. By doing this, businesses can improve their chances of being found in Google search results.
