The Intersection of SEO & Social – Google My Business: Part 1
It’s no secret that social media is changing. Each day we wake up there’s something new. We typically think of our favorite social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. But don’t forget Google, the world’s most beloved search engine.
It’s imperative to consider Google when thinking about social media platforms and cross aggregating. But first, let’s touch base on one of the most important things Google has recently brought us – Google My Business.
Google My Business (also known as GMB) is a free tool provided by Google that allows business owners to improve their brand’s online presence via search engines within their local region. This ability is essential to local SEO efforts and is just like social media in the sense that Google My Business will enable consumers to find your business as a result of organic search.
Fill in the Blanks: Creating an Account with GMB
Creating an account with Google My Business is easy. Sign up for a Gmail account here or, if you’re already logged in, follow the steps below to creating your Google My Business listing.
After Google My Business Account Creation
Congrats! You’re all set up on Google My Business. Now what? Your next goal is to optimize your new listing as much as possible to ensure you receive an increase in online exposure. As mentioned above, GMB can benefit your company in many ways. From local exposure to appearing on Google Maps searches, you’ll find that your organic traffic increases extensively. The more you utilize your Google My Business features, the more your business will show up in search engine rankings.
One feature you can utilize is Google Posts. Just like social media, you can make a post via your GMB listing to optimize and keep any search engine inquirers updated. It’s recommended to include a video or photo with each post in addition to related content. This will capture more attention and interest from viewers as they visit your listing. A few examples of posts you can make are:
- Exciting events and sales
- Popular blog post links
- New product announcements/launches
- Promotions, specials, or coupon codes
For example, we used our client’s Google My Business listing to announce an exciting event at one of their new home communities. An image was selected along with a 100 to 300-word description for the post content, as well as a button (an option that allows you to include a link with your post). The category selected should reflect where the customer will be taken once clicked and will read as: book, order online, buy, learn more, sign up, get offer, or call now. Most posts will expire after seven days, except for posts that you set a date range on.
If you’re interested in learning more about Google My Business and how your company can benefit from creating a listing, stay tuned for Part 2 of our GMB segment where we will be talking about how this platform offers analytics through Google Insights. Have questions about Google My Business and other SEO services? Contact AdsIntelligence Marketing today.