5 More Tips for Optimizing Your Business Listing on Google
In a previous article, “5 Tips for Optimizing Your Business Listing on Google“, we reviewed some ways to enhance your business listing to stand out from the competition. If you’ve already implemented those suggestions, this article will showcase 5 more ways to optimize your listing.
1. Create More Posts
Google allows you to post news and information to people viewing your business listing in search results and maps. Think of these posts as being a “lite” version of a Facebook post. The big difference is that your posts on Google will “expire” after 7 days. That doesn’t mean it will be deleted, but it will no longer be showcased directly on your listing.
So the key is to keep creating new posts. Let people know about your services, upcoming events, and any other limited time promotions. You can even include “call to action” buttons to trigger certain events.
The different call to actions you can choose from are:
- Book
- Order online
- Buy
- Sign up
- Get offer
- Learn More
- Call (using your listing’s primary number)
2. Use Messaging to Communicate with Customers
People can message/text you directly from your Google business listing. This provides another convenient way to communicate with potential customers by removing any barriers to communication. This shouldn’t be your only means of communicating with customers, but it’s good to provide a variety of choices.
Your first have to turn on Messaging in your Google My Business profile. Then you need to enter a phone number where you’d like to receive the messages. After verification from Google that your number is valid, you’re all set!
Just make sure if you decide to use Messaging that you respond to any messages in a timely manner. Google measures your responsiveness and tells people on your business listing how you’re doing.
3. Provide a Virtual Tour of your Business
In the previous article we reviewed how powerful images and video are to your listing. How about if you could show people around your business “virtually”? Well, you can with a 360-degree Virtual Tour.
You can film the tour yourself if you have the equipment to produce a quality result, or you can hire one of Google’s recommended partners to film it for you. The prices will vary depending on the person you hire and how much you’re trying to showcase.
But this is a great way to give an even better “behind the scenes” view of your business. It’s a great way to build trust and curiosity with potential customers.
4. Add a Booking Button
If you’re using a 3rd-party service that is already integrated with Google for booking appointments, you can add this Booking Button directly to your Google Business Listing.
Some examples of this would be a table reservation system for a restaurant or a room reservation system for a hotel. By including this button directly on your listing you encourage people to interact with your business immediately instead of moving on to look at other competitors.
The list of integration partners is growing all the time, so be sure to check to see if there any services you’re already using that you can add to your listing.
5. Highlight Your Services
If you’re a business which provides services to clients, you can provide information about those services right on your Google business listing. Only certain types of businesses currently have access to this feature, so be sure to check if you do.
In your Google My Business profile, check the “Info” section to see if you have a “Services” option. If you do, you have the ability to create a Services Section where you can list multiple items.
For each item you have the option to give it a detailed description as well as a price. The price is optional but you should definitely fill out the description. There is a maximum of 1,000 characters but remember only the first few lines will initially be visible, so put your strongest keywords in the beginning.
Right now services only display on Mobile search results but that could change in the future.
Summary
These are just a few of the additional features that Google provides in Google My Business to enhance your listing. New features are rolling out all the time, so stay tuned for more tips in the future!