Scheduling Google My Business Posts: The Optimum Guide

In today’s fast-paced digital world, having an online presence is crucial for businesses to succeed. And one of the most important aspects of online presence is having a Google My Business (GMB) account. GMB is a free tool that helps businesses manage their online presence across Google, including Google Search and Google Maps. 

An active GMB account can significantly improve a business’s online visibility and attract more customers. However, simply having a GMB account is not enough. To truly make the most of this powerful tool, businesses must consistently create engaging content that keeps their audience informed and engaged. 

And this is where scheduling GMB posts comes in. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of scheduling Google My Business posts and how they can benefit your business. So, let’s get started!

Setting up Google My Business for posting

Setting up your Google business profile for posts is a straightforward process that can significantly boost your brand’s online visibility.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

How to access and set up GMB posts

1. Log in to your GMB account and click on the “Posts” tab.
2. Choose the type of post you want to create (e.g., What’s New, Event, Offer, Product).
3. Add relevant details such as text, images, and links.
4. Preview your post and make any necessary edits.
5. Click “Publish” to post your content.

Different types of GMB posts

There are four main types of GMB posts on your business account:

1. What’s New: Use this type of post to share news, updates, and announcements about your business.
2. Event: Promote upcoming events and encourage customers to RSVP.
3. Offer: Share discounts, promotions, and special deals to incentivize customers to visit your business.
4. Product: Showcase your products and services to attract more customers.

Best practices for creating GMB posts

For Google business profile posts, here’s what you can do to improve your search rankings:

1. Use high-quality images that showcase your products or services.
2. Keep your text concise, informative, and engaging.
3. Include a call-to-action to encourage customers to take action (e.g., “Book now,” “Visit us today,” “Learn more”).
4. Use relevant hashtags to increase the reach of your post.
5. Post regularly to keep your audience engaged and informed.

By following these best practices, you can create compelling GMB posts for your Google business profiles that capture the attention of your target audience and drive more traffic to your business.

But remember, these business posts expire after some time.

Scheduling GMB Posts

Scheduling GMB posts is a great way to save time and ensure that your content is consistently published at optimal times.

This is what you need to know as you use the scheduled posts feature on your Google My Business page:

Advantages of scheduling GMB posts

1. Saves time: Scheduling GMB posts in advance means that you don’t have to create content on the fly.
2. Consistency: Posting regularly helps to keep your audience engaged and informed.
3. Optimization: Scheduling posts at optimal times can improve engagement rates and reach.

How to schedule GMB posts using the GMB dashboard

1. Log in to your GMB account and click on the “Posts” tab.
2. Choose the type of post you want to create.
3. Add the relevant details such as text, images, and links.
4. Instead of clicking “Publish,” click on the “Schedule” button.
5. Choose the date and time you want the post to be published.
6. Click “Schedule” to save your post and schedule it for publishing.

Third-party tools for scheduling GMB posts

There are several third-party tools that you can use to schedule GMB posts, such as Hootsuite, Buffer, and Later. They also double as a business post scheduler.

A social media management tool allows you to schedule and publish GMB posts alongside your other social media content. They also offer advanced features such as analytics and team collaboration for managing your business listings.

Here are three of the best third-party tools for managing Google My Business (GMB) posts:

1. Hootsuite: Hootsuite is a social media management tool that also allows you to manage your GMB posts. With Hootsuite, you can schedule and publish GMB posts, track performance metrics, and monitor online reviews.
2. SEMrush: SEMrush is an all-in-one digital marketing tool that includes a GMB posting feature. You can create and schedule GMB posts, track performance metrics, and optimize your GMB listing for search engines.
3. Buffer: Buffer is a social media management tool that also supports GMB posting. With Buffer, you can create and schedule GMB posts, track performance metrics, and collaborate with team members to manage your GMB presence.

These third-party tools offer additional features and functionality that can help you streamline your GMB posting strategy and improve engagement with your target audience. Consider using one of these tools or others that may fit your business needs to maximize the benefits of GMB for your business.

By scheduling GMB posts, you can ensure that your content is consistently published on your Google business page, saving you time and improving your online visibility. Whether you use the GMB dashboard or third-party tools, scheduling is valuable for any business looking to improve its online presence.

Create a Google My Business posting Strategy

Creating a GMB posting strategy is crucial for businesses looking to maximize the benefits of this powerful tool.

But why should you come up with a strategy for your Google My Business listing? Here’s why:

The importance of having a GMB posting strategy

1. Consistency: A strategy ensures you post content regularly to keep your audience engaged.
2. Relevance: A strategy helps you create content that resonates with your target audience.
3. Optimization: A strategy allows you to schedule posts at optimal times for maximum engagement.

Factors to consider when creating a posting strategy

1. Audience: Who is your target audience, and what type of content do they find engaging?
2. Goals: What do you want to achieve with your GMB posts? Is it increased foot traffic, sales, or engagement?
3. Tone: What tone and voice do you want to use in your posts? Is it professional, conversational, or humorous?
4. Timing: What days and times are your audience most active on GMB?

Examples of effective GMB posting strategies

1. Restaurant: Post daily specials, happy hour deals, and holiday promotions to encourage customers to visit your restaurant.
2. Retail store: Share product launches, sales, and special offers to incentivize customers to visit your store.
3. Healthcare provider: Share patient testimonials, health tips, and industry news to position yourself as a thought leader in the healthcare industry.

By creating a GMB posting strategy, you can create engaging content that resonates with your target audience and drives more traffic to your business by attracting potential customers. They also integrate with Google reviews and Google’s search results.

Consider the factors above when creating your strategy, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content to see what works best for your business.

How to measure the success of your GMB posts?

Measuring the success of GMB posts is important to determine what content is resonating with your target audience and driving more traffic to your business.

Here’s everything you need to know to track and optimize your GMB posts.

How to track the performance of GMB posts

1. Log in to your GMB account and click on the “Posts” tab.
2. Select the post you want to track and click on “View Insights.”
3. Monitor the metrics provided, such as views, clicks, and actions taken.

Metrics to monitor for GMB posts

1. Views: The number of times your post has been viewed.
2. Clicks: The number of times users clicked on your post.
3. Actions taken: The number of times users took action, such as visiting your website, calling your business, or getting directions.

Best practices for optimizing GMB posts based on performance data

1. Test different types of content to see what resonates with your audience.
2. Monitor the timing of your posts and adjust accordingly to maximize engagement.
3. Use high-quality images and videos to increase views and clicks.
4. Incorporate a clear call to action in your post to encourage users to take action.
5. Use relevant keywords and hashtags to improve your post’s visibility.

By tracking the performance of your GMB posts and optimizing based on the data, you can create content that resonates with your audience and drives more traffic to your business.

Don’t forget to use the metrics provided by GMB and the best practices above to improve your posting strategy and achieve better results continually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule GMB posts in advance?

Yes, you can schedule GMB posts in advance using the GMB dashboard or third-party scheduling tools.

How often should I post on GMB?

Posting on GMB at least once a week is recommended to maintain consistent engagement with your audience. However, posting frequency may vary depending on your business type and goals.

Can I edit or delete a scheduled GMB post?

Yes, you can edit or delete a scheduled GMB post at any time using the GMB dashboard.

What types of content should I post on GMB?

You can post a variety of content on GMB, including promotions, offers, events, photos, videos, and company updates. The content should be relevant to your target audience and align with your business goals.

How do I know if my GMB posts are performing well?

You can track the performance of your GMB posts by monitoring metrics such as views, clicks, and actions taken. Use this data to optimize your posting strategy and improve engagement with your target audience.

Conclusion

Scheduling Google My Business posts is a valuable tool for businesses looking to improve engagement and visibility with their target audience. By creating a posting strategy, scheduling posts at optimal times, and tracking performance metrics, businesses can maximize the benefits of GMB and drive more traffic to their business.

Remember that having a consistent and relevant posting strategy is key to maintaining engagement with your audience. Always remember the factors that influence the success of your posts, such as audience, tone, timing, and goals, to ensure that your content resonates with your target audience.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content and test different posting strategies to find what works best for your business. You can optimize your posts and achieve better results by continually improving your GMB posting strategy and tracking performance metrics.