In the world of digital marketing, businesses are always on the lookout for ways to stand out, especially in local markets. For small businesses, local visibility is key to success. One of the most powerful tools to boost local search engine optimisation (SEO) is Google My Business (GMB). Here at Pixel Nottingham, we understand the importance of being found by local customers, and GMB plays a significant role in helping businesses achieve just that.
Here’s how leveraging Google My Business can transform your local SEO and put your business on the map—literally.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free tool that allows businesses to manage how they appear on Google Search and Maps. It enables you to showcase essential business information such as:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Business hours
- Photos
- Customer reviews
By setting up and optimising your GMB profile, you can increase the chances of appearing in local search results and on Google Maps when people search for services or products you offer in your area.
1. Improves Local Search Visibility
When someone searches for a product or service in their vicinity, Google often prioritises local businesses over global competitors. GMB listings are key for businesses to appear in the coveted Local 3-Pack—the three businesses featured at the top of local search results on Google. With a properly optimised GMB profile, your business is more likely to rank in these local results, which means more eyes on your business.
Pro Tip:
Keep your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistent across all platforms. This signals to Google that your business is legitimate and helps improve your search ranking.
2. Increases Website Traffic
An optimised GMB profile doesn’t just improve visibility—it can drive real traffic to your website. By listing your website URL on GMB, customers can visit your site directly from Google search results or Google Maps. The better your listing is optimised, the more likely people are to click through to your website.
By ensuring that all your business details are accurate and appealing, you’re essentially creating a pathway for customers to reach your website and learn more about your products or services. Increased traffic from local search means better leads and more potential customers.
3. Builds Trust Through Customer Reviews
Google My Business allows customers to leave reviews, and these reviews play a huge role in building trust and credibility. Positive reviews not only improve your online reputation but also influence your local SEO rankings.
Google takes customer reviews seriously and often ranks businesses with more positive reviews higher in local search results. Moreover, responding to reviews—both positive and negative—signals that you are engaged and care about customer feedback, further boosting your reputation.
Pro Tip:
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews, and make sure to reply to them. This interaction helps build a positive relationship with your audience and shows potential customers that your business is responsive and trustworthy.
4. Boosts Engagement Through Google Posts
One often-overlooked feature of GMB is Google Posts. With Google Posts, you can share news, promotions, events, and offers directly in your GMB listing. These posts can help boost engagement by keeping your audience informed about what’s happening with your business.
Regularly updating your GMB profile with posts not only engages customers but also shows Google that your business is active. This can have a positive effect on your local SEO rankings and encourage potential customers to interact with your business.
5. Increases Mobile Searches
As more people rely on mobile devices to search for local businesses, it’s important to have a strong presence on mobile search results. Google My Business ensures that your business is easily accessible on mobile, particularly through Google Maps. When someone searches for a business “near me,” having a well-optimised GMB profile increases the chances that your business will appear in those search results.
6. Provides Insights and Data
Google My Business comes equipped with analytics that provide valuable insights into how customers are interacting with your listing. You can see how many people viewed your profile, visited your website, asked for directions, and even called your business directly from your GMB listing.
These insights allow you to understand customer behaviour, refine your SEO strategy, and make data-driven decisions to improve both your online presence and customer engagement.
Why You Should Use Google My Business
At Pixel Nottingham, we believe in empowering businesses with the right tools to succeed online, and Google My Business is one of the best free tools available. If you’re not using GMB yet, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to improve your local SEO, engage with customers, and drive traffic to your website.
Optimising your Google My Business profile is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to gain a competitive edge in your local market. It’s easy to set up, free, and offers valuable features that help connect your business with local customers. Get started today, and watch your business grow!
Need help setting up or optimising your Google My Business profile? Contact us at Pixel Nottingham, and we’ll guide you every step of the way!
