Google My Business Custom Listing

Why Google My Business optimisation? Consider Places the Yellow Pages of Google. It is the search engine’s directory of any local business on the planet. When someone searches for a product or service in their area Google will display all related businesses that have registered with Google Places alongside the organic search results. It’s a perfect opportunity to gain extra exposure, without applying too much time and resources.

It’s particularly useful for small businesses that operate in a local area, but can be used by bigger companies too. Google claim as many as one in five searches are local, meaning one of the best ways to boost your sales is to put your business in front of people living nearby.

What does Google My Business Optimisation do for Your business?

Local SEO revolves around your business being found online, and Google Places does exactly that. You can include your address, your phone number, opening hours, a brief description of what you do and a direct link to your website.

A Google Places profile will connect you with customers not just on search, but on Maps and Google+. It is a chance to give customers all the vital information about your business in a quick and easy format. As well as highlight ratings and reviews of your business.

It is a multi-platform service that lets your customers find you on every device they’re using. Providing consistency of information about your business through one reliable source.

The most important part of your listing is writing an effective description of your business. Therefore, it’s crucial to design a relevant, targeted profile using well-researched keywords and tags to perform well in Google My Business results. That’s where we come in. It’s all about knowing how your customers will behave in order to find you.

How does Google My Business work?

Google’s search algorithm is intuitive and can now apply context to search queries. For example, if you search for “local builder”, it will display businesses relating to the building trade, but only in your local area. Without having to search exactly for the area you want, like “London builder”. It does this with its location-tracking technology. This benefits small businesses working in a specific locality. Historically, Google was dominated by big businesses paying big bucks. But that’s changed since Google realised a few years ago, that this isn’t the best way to do business and, most importantly, isn’t giving customers what they need. That’s why Google Places was created. According to the latest research, a verified location is an important trust signal that Google search uses as one ranking factor amongst many others when it ranks your website.

Why do I want a Google My Business Listing?

The question is why wouldn’t you? It is a stamp of authenticity. A Google Places listing is a verification of your business. It shows both Google and your customers that you are in fact who you say you are. Google requires physical location verification via a PIN which is sent on a postcard to your specified business address. One to two weeks after confirmation, your business will be verified. What better way is there to provide your customers and visitors with extra confidence in your business?

Introducing Google My Business

Google My Business is the latest toolkit from Google for local business owners to optimise their online presence. It merges Google+ business pages with Google Places and throws in reviews to create a dashboard where everything is managed from one simple interface.

Our Google My Business Optimisation Service

Google My Business is free to set-up. Our Google My Business Optimisation Service will create a customised business listing using our tried and tested methods to ensure you receive maximum exposure.

We also offer additional Google My Business optimisation services to help your business achieve a place in the highly coveted “3-Pack” – that “3-pack” is a Google service that always shows 3 businesses at the top of page 1 in Google’s search results pages for search terms related to your business.

These are bespoke services that are not freely available and so will often help you get a competitive advantage over your competitors, As only the top 3 business listings are shown that these GMB campaigns can make the difference.

Whilst claiming your own Google My Business account is free for anyone, and at first sight so is filling in the required information, we strongly advise that you consult professional SEO specialists as mistakes can result in lost business and worse.

To discuss Local SEO for your business or our Google My Business Optimisation Service please call us, there is no obligation whatsoever and we are always happy to give advice to all local businesses.