How to Use Google My Business to Attract More Customers

Every business needs to be visible online, especially for local SEO on Google. Google My Business (GMB) enables you to improve your search ranking and directly connect with customers through Google Search and Google Maps.

When used effectively, it can significantly enhance your visibility, boost local SEO, and attract more customers.

Small businesses improve their online visibility on Google through GMB. In this article, we will explore Google My Business tips and strategies for optimizing and attracting more customers on Google, increasing engagement, and growing your business.

What is Google My Business?

It is a profile that lets business owners manage their online presence. It helps your business appear on Google Search and Google Maps with essential information, including your location, hours of operation, website, phone number, and reviews. A properly optimized Google My Business profile can help you find you more easily and reach out to you.

By optimizing your Google Business Profile, you’re effectively setting yourself up to be discovered by customers in your area who are looking for your products or services. This is especially useful for small businesses that rely on local traffic and need to increase their visibility on Google’s search results.

Why Is Google My Business Important for Small Businesses?

For small businesses, it serves as a vital tool for improving local rankings and visibility. Local SEO with GMB is essential because it directly impacts how your business appears in search results and Google Maps.

Here are just a few reasons why this is essential for small businesses:

Increased Visibility: A complete and optimized profile can boost your business’s ranking in local searches.
Customer Engagement: Interact with customers through reviews, questions, and social media posts.
Attract Local Customers: GMB helps your business appear in searches like “restaurants near me.”

Claim and Verify Your Google My Business Profile

The first thing is claiming and verifying the business listing for GMB to attract customers. Without an active verification, a customer may not see accurately what you have to offer.

Here’s how you can claim your business:

Go to Google My Business.
Click on “Manage Now” and log in with your Google account.
Enter your business name and address.
Choose your business category.

Verify your business using the method Google provides (postcard, phone, or email).

Once verified, you can start optimizing your GMB profile and using it to attract new customers.

2. Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Local SEO

Local search optimization and Google My Business play a pivotal role. Optimizing your profile enhances your chances of appearing in local searches, which is crucial for attracting customers in your area.

Here are a few steps to optimize your Google Business Listing for better SEO:

Choose the Right Business Categories: Select the most relevant categories for your business. This will help Google match your listing to relevant searches.
Fill Out All Information: Ensure your profile is filled out with your address, phone number, website, and business hours.
Use Keywords: Include essential keywords in your business description and service areas to help your listing appear in search results for the most relevant terms like “best plumber near me” or “best pizza in Lahore.”

By taking the time to fully complete and optimize your profile for local search, Google can increase your chances of appearing in relevant local searches.

3. Add Photos and Videos to Your Profile

Did you know that Google Business Profile optimization can also include adding photos and videos? Profiles with visual content tend to get more clicks and attract more customers than those without.

Here’s what you should include:

Profile Photo: A high-quality photo of your business logo or storefront.
Cover Photo: An image representing your business or showcasing your products.
Service/Product Photos: Pictures of your products or services will engage potential customers and give them a sense of what you offer.
Videos: Short videos showcasing your services or behind-the-scenes looks at your business can help build a stronger connection with your audience.

The more engaging and comprehensive your photos and videos are, the more likely people are to click on your profile and consider your business.

Encourage Customers to Leave Reviews

Customer reviews play an essential role in attracting new customers. Most people trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations, and positive reviews can help establish trust with potential customers.

Here’s how to get more reviews on Google:

Ask Satisfied Customers: After providing a service or selling a product, ask happy customers to leave a review.
Provide a Direct Link: Make it easy for customers to leave a review by sending them a direct link to your Google review page.
Respond to Reviews: Always thank customers for their positive reviews and address any concerns in negative reviews.

This demonstrates that you value feedback and are committed to enhancing your service.

The more positive reviews you get, the higher your chances of showing up in search results and attracting new customers.

Post Regular Updates and Promotions

Google My Business allows you to post updates, promotions, and special offers to your profile. These posts can appear on search results pages and in Google Maps, helping you engage and inform customers about your business.

Here are some ideas for posts:

Special Offers: Promote discounts or seasonal sales to drive revenue.
New Products/Services: Inform customers about new products or services as they become available.
Events: Share details about upcoming events or webinars.
Business Announcements: Share essential updates about your business, such as new hours or locations.

By keeping your profile updated with fresh content, you increase your chances of engaging potential customers and driving traffic to your business.

Use Google My Business Insights to Track Performance

One of the best features of GMB is the Insights section. A Google My Business profile provides valuable data on how customers interact with your profile. It shows information such as:

How customers found your business (search or map)
What actions customers took (called, visited the website, requested directions)
Where your customers are located

By analyzing these insights, you can understand what’s working and where improvements are needed to optimize your profile. This will help you adjust your strategy and continue attracting more customers.

Engage with Customers Through Google My Business Messaging

Another useful but often overlooked feature of Google My Business is messaging. It lets customers send direct messages to your business from your profile. By enabling this feature, you provide an easy way for customers to ask questions, learn about your services, or obtain more information about your products.

Here’s how to make the most of Google My Business messaging:

Respond Quickly: Timely responses are crucial. Aim to reply to messages within a few hours to keep customers engaged and interested.
Provide Helpful Information: When responding, be clear, concise, and helpful. This builds trust and may lead to conversions.
Set Expectations: If you can’t respond right away, let customers know when you’ll get back to them. This shows professionalism and reliability.

By actively using messaging, you can build stronger relationships with customers, which increases the likelihood of attracting new ones.

Use Google My Business for Local Event Promotion

If your business hosts or participates in local events, GMB can be a great way to promote these events to local customers. From workshops and product launches to charity events or seasonal promotions, GMB allows you to keep the local community informed and engaged.

When creating event posts:

Be Clear About the Details: Include the event’s date, time, location, and any special instructions.
Add Visuals: Include event photos or promotional images to grab attention.
Encourage Attendance: Use engaging language to encourage people to attend the event and visit your business.

This is an excellent way to use Google My Business to connect with local customers, build brand awareness, and drive foot traffic to your business.

Leverage Google My Business for Online Store Integration

If you run an e-commerce business, GMB can also help improve your online sales. With features like product listings and services, you can directly display your products on your Google profile. By integrating your online store with Google My Business, you give customers an easy way to shop without leaving Google’s ecosystem.

To set this up:

Add Your Products or Services: Add your offerings with clear descriptions, prices, and high-quality images.
Link to Your Online Store: Make sure to link your online store directly in your profile so that customers can easily navigate to it.
Track Performance: Utilize Google My Business Insights to monitor customer interactions and identify which products are performing well.

This is an effective way to reach more customers, particularly those searching for products directly on Google.

Stay Consistent and Regular with Updates

Finally, one of the best ways to make the most of Google My Business for attracting customers is by staying consistent. Whether it’s replying to reviews, posting regular updates, or keeping your business hours up to date, consistency is essential. Google prefers active profiles that are frequently updated with new content, as this shows that a business is engaged and responsive.

Here’s how to stay consistent:

Set a Routine: Schedule time each week to check and update your Google My Business profile.
Post Updates Regularly: Aim to post at least once a week with new promotions, news, or upcoming events.
Monitor Messages and Reviews: Respond promptly to messages and reviews to maintain high customer engagement.

Consistency can help you stay ahead of competitors and continue attracting new customers who trust your business.

How Prismatic Digital Solutions Can Help You Attract More Customers

At Prismatic Digital Solutions, we specialize in optimizing GMB profiles to help businesses attract more customers. Whether you’re a small business looking to improve your local SEO or an established brand trying to increase visibility on Google, our expert team can help.

We can assist you with:

Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile
Optimizing your profile for local SEO
Creating engaging posts and content
Getting more reviews and improving customer engagement

Let us help you make the most of Google Business Listing to grow your business and attract more customers. Contact Prismatic Digital Solutions today for a consultation!

FAQs

How can I update my Google Business Profile information?

You can easily update your Google Business Profile by logging into your Google My Business account and editing the relevant sections, such as business hours, address, contact info, and more.

How do I increase my visibility on Google Maps using Google My Business?

Ensure your business information is up-to-date and complete, add high-quality images, encourage reviews, and post regular updates to enhance your visibility on Google Maps.

Can I see how customers interact with my Google My Business profile?

Yes, Google My Business provides insights on how customers interact with your profile, including how they found your business and what actions they took.

What’s the best way to get more reviews on Google?

The most effective way to increase reviews is to ask satisfied customers to leave a review. Provide them with a direct link to your review page to make the process as easy as possible.

Can I post promotions on my Google My Business profile?

Yes, you can share promotions, updates, and events on your GMB profile. These posts help engage customers and increase your visibility.