Did you know that 91% of adults use search engines to find new information? Google has 91.9% of the search engine market share. Even better is that 46% of these searches have local intent.
So, how do you get your business to show up when people search Google for a service?
Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool that can help your business get noticed by people who need your services immediately. But like every other platform, you need to publish great content to earn the rewards.
This article will share tips on how to write a GMB post locals will instantly notice.
Getting Started: Your GMB profile
GMB, now Google Business Profile (GBP), is unique because it can immediately reach people who need service. There are several interesting GMB statistics to show how it’s benefiting businesses.
Google allows you to create a free profile with 1,500 characters, a 30 seconds video, and a gallery. You can usually include:
- business address
- business hours
- category
- reviews
The first step is to conduct a Google search to ensure you don’t already have a GMB. Google has profiles for some long-term businesses. Here, you just have to claim the profile and edit the information.
But if you don’t find an existing profile for your business, you can easily get started.
- First, you input the official business name and business category. Finding the best-suited category for your brand for effective GMB optimization is essential.
- Next, the software will ask if you want to “add a location customers can visit, like a store or office?” This depends on whether you have a physical front for your business that people can go to for your services or not.
You can fill in the address if you have a physical front in a specific service area and want it to show up in Maps. This makes it easier for non-locals visiting the area to find your store.
- But if you operate in a service area but don’t want your storefront showing up on Maps, you can just select the service area. Then add the contact phone number and your website URL. This way, your business will appear in relevant searches for that service area, and customers can contact you.
Verification of GMB Profiles
Google wants to ensure you can manage the business you’ve listed. Verifying takes less than a week.
Without this process, your business and edits won’t get displayed. You also can’t access analytics/ page insights or business reviews.
Google sends a verification postcard for you to verify your business. After this, your profile goes live. You can then spend some time including details like a video, business hours, messaging options, photos, etc.
How To Write A GMB Post For Local SEO
Like your captions on social media, you need to make your GMP posts stand out. With just 1,500 words and a mini-gallery, you can make your business appeal to locals.
Here are some GMB post styles you can combine with Growth Bar for local search engine optimization.
Offer Posts
Offer posts are great for catching people’s attention. People like some extra value, so if you offer something along with your services, it’s always great to include it.
These can be discounts, gifts, brief consultations, or white paper.
Include start date and end date. Offers should have a specific Window period.
Also, include a CTA link in the optional “Add more Details” field.
It’s best to keep your offer posts few and compelling. They give people a reason to choose you among several listed GMB Profiles.
Update Posts
You can deliver important updates to your customers on your GMB profile. If you are trying to get one-time customers, to revisit you, using your GMB profile to share a new update works.
This post type can include copy, images, and a Call-to-Action (CTA). So, for instance, if you have remodeled your storefront, you can share a brief message of gratitude and high-resolution images, asking people to visit.
GMB update posts are usually in a mobile phone’s ‘Overview’ tab. But, they appear in the ‘Post’ section on a desktop business profile.
Promote New Products Or Services
You can promote new products with Product posts. This was incorporated with Google Products in 2020.
You especially need good optics when promoting a product or service. So, if you are a chef, adding great food photos will be the ultimate chef’s kiss to promote your service.
You can use online reservations to automate your booking process and make it easier for the locals to reach out.
Spread The Word About An Event
Event posts are great for advertising an upcoming event or conference.
You can integrate external event management services with your GMB profile. This way, your events are automatically listed as they come up.
You can find Events posts in the Updates tab on your mobile, and they will show in the business profile while they’re in their valid date range.
Go Show Off Your Space
Again, GMB is all about the optics. For example, businesses that add pictures receive about 42% more direction requests on Google Maps.
Most people who search for a service or product already know what they want; they just need a reason to choose you.
So, if you have a great storefront, ensure you use it to promote your business. Some business owners who know the importance of adding new photos to their Google Business Profile hire professional photographers to showcase their stores.
You can even include a 30 seconds video.
Key Takeaways
GMB/ GBP is a great way to find customers who convert. 64% of consumers have used GMB to find a local business. So, position your business well for the next person searching in your service area.
- Take high-resolution pictures. Go for 720 px tall, 720 px wide pictures in JPG or PNG format.
- Extend user involvement with location authority: make it as easy as possible to find and contact your business.
- Keep your descriptions clear and straight to the point.