Here’s a good enough reason to optimize Google Business Profiles: nearly half of all Google searches include local content, per Fit Small Business. With around nine billion Google searches daily, that translates to over four billion searches with a localized focus!
So, if your GBP doesn’t stand out, you risk losing a significant portion of your potential customers to competitors.
Fortunately, many ways exist to increase profile visibility on Google Maps and Search. Our team at WSI Proven Results has shared tips to attract more visitors to your Google Business Profile, so read on.
Ensure Your GBP Details Are Accurate
When people search for anything on Google, the search engine displays the results most relevant to their queries.
For example, when someone searches for “chiropractor” or “chiropractic clinic” on Google, they expect the search engine to give them a list of businesses offering chiropractic services near them. So, if you’re a chiropractor, and your GBP details are accurate, you can attract more chiropractic patients by showing up on Maps or Search.
However, if your GBP is incomplete or outdated, you may find it challenging to engage more customers because they may still have difficulty finding you on Maps or Search. Even if they do, they may not trust it as much as a business with a complete GBP.
What the Statistics Say
According to Google, when businesses have a complete GBP, customers are nearly three times more likely to perceive them as reputable. The search engine also noted that consumers are 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to buy from such businesses.
What You Should Do
To boost Google search ranking on Maps and Search and attract more visitors to your Google Business Profile, review the current information on it. Ensure the following details about your business are there and accurate, and if not, correct them:
- Complete name
- Complete address
- Contact information, including website, phone numbers, and email addresses
- Operating hours
- Category (e.g., chiropractor, pizza delivery, hamburger restaurant, etc.)
- Menu (e.g., if you’re a chiropractor, the specific treatments or services you provide)
The primary takeaway is to be specific, concise, and complete when filling out your GBP details.
Verify Your Google Business Profile
You won’t be able to edit an existing Google Business Profile if it’s not verified yet. However, if you’re creating your GBP for the first time, Google says you should be able to verify your business through:
- Phone
- Text
- Video recording
- Live video call
In the same Google guide, you’ll see the verification methods available to you will depend on your:
- Business’s category
- Region
- Public information
- Support hours
Once you’ve finished the verification process, Google will likely review the verification, which it says can take up to five days. Then, the updated information may take a few weeks to reflect across Google’s platforms.
Engage With the Q&A Section
Each GBP has a questions & answers (Q&A) section that allows business owners to list questions and provide answers. Users can also utilize this feature to ask questions the business owner can answer.
Taking advantage of the Q&A section is one of the top local SEO strategies for engaging with potential customers. It lets you provide a quick snapshot of your business, and answering questions posted by users gives your business a more personal, “customer-centric” feel.
To Google, increased interaction between you and users may translate to being an active, relevant business. When it does, it may take it as a signal to boost your ranking.
Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews
Google says high-quality, positive customer reviews can boost visibility and local ranking. For the same reason, it encourages GBP owners to respond to customer reviews and feedback. Doing so shows that you value them and their opinions.
So, encourage customers to give your business a review, especially after a positive interaction with them. You can also add a review request link by sharing a business-specific URL via:
- Your business’s thank you emails
- Chat interactions
- Your digital and physical receipts
Whenever a customer leaves a review on your GBP, respond as soon as possible. Do this for every review, whether positive or negative.
Link a Well-Designed Website to Your GBP
As a post from The Hartford website states, there’s “no reason not to have a website.” It also points out that many businesses can’t survive without a Web presence.
Why a Website Matters
A website is critical because it can help establish your online presence and help build customer trust. The fact that Google Business Profile has a website field shows that having one is crucial to online visibility.
Your website is the digital version of your business’s brick-and-mortar location. It gives people a sense of your brand and its mission and allows them to form opinions before visiting.
Not Just Any Website
Just having a website isn’t enough; you need an eye-catching website with a modern design. To achieve this goal, consider the following factors and elements:
- Responsive screen design
- Utilization of white space
- Incorporation of various layouts
- Addition of custom graphics
- Strategic placement of action buttons
You want to link a well-designed website to your GBP because once visitors see it, they’ll likely click that link. If they find themselves on a cluttered, hard-to-navigate page, the odds are high that they’ll leave quickly.
Indeed, a study published on MDPI noted that a site’s design quality can directly impact user experience. The researchers also noted how a well-designed site can positively affect consumer pleasure, arousal, trust, and shopping intention.
Time to Attract More Visitors to Your Google Business Profile
From ensuring your business’s details are accurate to responding to reviews and linking a well-designed website, these are all ways to attract more visitors to your Google business profile. With these, you can boost your online presence, get better rankings, and convert leads to paying customers.
WSI Proven Results is your go-to if you’re ready to improve your online visibility, presence, and rankings. Our innovative digital marketing agency services Charlotte, NC, and the surrounding areas. We’re part of the WSI network, the world’s largest digital marketing network, which has been around since 1995 and has won over 160 WMA WebAwards.
Book a free consultation today so we can start upping your marketing ante!
Learn more about WSI Proven Results.
