As a business owner, ranking on top of Google Results should be a top priority for your online business or local store. You will need a Google Business Profile to improve visibility, sales, traffic, and leads. So read on for 10 Expert Tips To Improve Your Local SEO Google Business Profile.

Get help creating a Google Business Profile or try setting it up yourself here.

GMB or Google My Business is now called Google Business Profile. Google Business Profile has become the top online tool to help local businesses rank on top of Google Results. But before you decide to become a Google Business Profile Expert, read ahead to learn the basics of Local SEO and the importance of Google Business Profile for Local SEO in 2023.

What is a Google Business Profile?

• Your Google Business Profile is an easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google. To help customers find your business, you can verify your business and edit your business information. – Google Support about Google Business Profile
• Previously named “Google My Business”, is an online tool created by Google for local businesses to list as “local results” for those users searching for similar businesses near a specific location. 
• Ideally, a profile should be created per business location, service area, or store with accurate and relevant business information. It also allows business owners to reach potential consumers via Google Search and Google Maps.
• Maintaining a Business Profile helps you increase your visibility on Google, gain credibility with reviews, and control your business information. – SEMRush
• Learn more about Google Business Profile and its benefits for local businesses here.

For many business owners, SEO can seem daunting or complicated. But whether you’re a proficient optimizer or an SEO novice, you should know that the acronym stands for Search Engine Optimization. In that context, LOCAL SEO is when you focus to improve your rankings and visibility in local search results such as Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack.

Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack is the list (on the top of search results) that includes nearby local businesses with accurate profiles. Ranking locally is much easier than trying to compete in Search Engine results, but locally, your business has a much better chance of appearing on top of results by optimizing your Google Business Profile.

Local SEO is all about increasing online search visibility so your business can be found by nearby online searchers. These can be brick-and-mortar businesses with physical locations, like a grocery store or dentist’s office, or service-area businesses that operate throughout a certain geographic area, like an electrician or house cleaning company. – Moz

Importance of Google Business Profile for Local SEO

There is no way around it, in order to rank on local results, your business should focus on Local SEO Google Business Profile Marketing. Google makes up this list of local businesses based on certain aspects that can be optimized, like locations, reviews, keywords, and more.

There are many ways to improve your business listing on Google Local Results. Improving, verifying, and optimizing a Google Business Profile will help your business rank on top. In this article, the team at Momentum Digital has included 10 steps to make the most out of your Google Business Profile for Local SEO.

Local SEO will help your business grow locally. These are some stats: 

• • In the United States, more than 1 billion searches that contain the phrase “near me” are used every month – SEMRush
  • For local searches, 42% of searchers click on results inside of the Local Pack – Google User Behavior Survey
  • 81% of consumers have used Google to read reviews about a business in the last 12 months
  • Read more reasons here to use Google Business Profile for Local SEO and increase Web Traffic + Calls from local consumers.

Now that we’ve clearly established the importance of Google Business Profile listings, here’s some expert advice on how to improve your Local SEO results.

Once you’ve claimed or created a profile for your business, the next step is to optimize your profile for Google Search by completing the following:

Business Name & Category

• In order to optimize your Local SEO Google Business Profile listing for search, you will need to create a profile (or claim an existing one) and apply your current, accurate business name.
• This name should match the information provided in sources like your website, social media profiles and storefront signage.
• There are other details you can include in the business name in order to improve your local SEO rankings, like keywords and service areas.
• Keep it as simple and accurate as possible for improved profile visibility. 
• Make sure your profile Business name makes it easy for users to find your business online.

NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)

Here are three things that should be consistent throughout your online channels, specifically your website: Name, Address, and Phone Number. These three profile details spell out “NAP”. 

• NAP must be accurate and identical to the ones listed on your website. Include this information on your website’s running footer and “Contact” page for good measure.
• Having a profile with consistent NAP information will help you get your listing verified* and improve your ranking locally.

Business Categories

Another Google Business Profile feature is the ability to select a business category for your listing. Google has included plenty of business categories for you to pick from, so make sure you search all options and select the most accurate one.

• If you have doubts about what Business Category to select, try answering this question: “WHAT is it your business does?” .
• Google Business Profile now includes the option to have more than one Business Category, in case your services or products are include more than one option. Keep in mind, only one category can be your main one. This main business category will be shown on local results, so pick wisely what best describes what your business does.

Verify Your Listing

In order for you to have full power, edit, and manage your Google Business Profile, you will need to verify your business with Google. There are various options for verification, ranging from video calls to mail postcard with code.

• Our team of Experts in SEO and Google has this video and blog to help you verify your Google Business Profile listing.
• Verifying your business will grant you “Verified” status on Google Local Results and improve your local SEO rankings.

Optimize Your Profile

• Once you have created a profile, assigned a name to your business, and filled out accurate NAP info, it is time to further optimize your Google Business Profile using keywords and other strategies.
• First, we recommend working on a 500-700 long description of your business and services. This business description should include keywords, popular services, product names, and service areas.
• You need to use the profile as much as possible by adding everything you know and provide with your business.
  • Hours, special hours
  • Address and service areas
  • Description and details 750 characters
  • Amenities, Accommodations, Special Attributes
  • Products, Services, Pricing, Links
  • Posts, Photos, Logo, Cover Photo
  • Much more!

Get More Quality Reviews

Oberlo stresses that 9 out of 10 consumers will look at Google Reviews before making a purchase, so if you’re looking to improve sales and conversions, getting five-star reviews on Google should be a top priority.

• Google Business Profile provides a review link for you to share with consumers. This review link is crucial in improving Local SEO and Click Through Rates. Your business listing is guaranteed to rank better by getting good reviews in great numbers.
• Encourage consumers to leave 5 star-reviews with keywords for your business by sharing the review link, having a QR code that directs them to review on a store-front, or offering a discount. 

Reply to Reviews

Replying to consumer reviews is just as important as getting new ones. Make sure to check your Google Business Profile reviews often and reply to them using personalized details and keywords that include services, areas, or products.

Add & Tag More Photos

Besides having an accurate and current logo + cover, you should be uploading store pictures from the inside, storefront, products, and more. These pictures are visible to users searching for local business listings and usually provide a boost in ranking when they are original and visually appealing. 

Add Posts & Updates Weekly

• Like on most social media channels, updates are Google Business Profile versions of posts. These updates should include attractive visuals, a text description (caption), and a clear call to action. 
• Including a call to action on updates (or posts) provides additional promotion to your preferred method for consumers to reach you regarding the content of the post.
• Options include call now, “shop”, “order online”, “learn more”, “subscribe”, and others.
• Keep posting and updating your Local SEO Google Business Profile

These steps are all necessary to rank on Local SEO results. The reason behind this is that Google strives to provide the most accurate and relevant information for users looking for businesses. By showing consistency throughout your marketing channels, including your website, Google will rank your listing higher than others that do not meet accurate standards.

As 2023 keeps rolling in with market surprises and economic fear among consumers, providing accurate and reliable information on search engines is paramount for business growth. 

By competing on a local level with other similar businesses, yours is more likely to rank. By ranking on the top Local Search Results from Google, your business will grow exponentially and  establish its presence locally as a trusted, established business.

If you’re looking to get better Local SEO Google Business Profile ranking results and optimize your business for search, contact our team of experts for additional help.