If so, verifying your business with a listing on Google Business Profile (GBP) is an absolutely crucial first step.

97% of consumers take to search engines like Google to learn more about local businesses, and a GBP listing will help you appear in the local search results. 

If you’ve ever searched for a restaurant or business ‘near you’ or ‘in your area,’ you’re probably very familiar with seeing search result features like these:

This is Google’s ‘Local Pack,’ and it contains three local business listings relevant to the search query, and even features a handy map. 

Well, every business listed in this example has one thing in common – they all have Google Business Profile listings. 

If you want your local business to appear in dynamic search results like these that contain maps, reviews, and photos – creating a GBP listing is a necessity. 

With a Google Business Profile, you’ll have more control over how your company appears on Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs for short), including your:

• Business NAP (name, address, and phone number) 
• Positive user reviews 
• Photos of your business 

Also, by creating a GBP listing, Google will verify you as a legitimate and reliable business, enabling you to appear in all sorts of SERP features (like the ‘Google Local Pack’ listed above, but more on that later). 

In this article, we’ll teach you all five verification methods for setting up your Google Business Profile listing, so stay tuned.  

What is Google Business Profile, and Why Does it Matter for Local SEO?

Google Business Profile is Google’s own business listing service. It helps businesses manage their online presence across Google’s platform, especially for Search and Maps.

Whenever you search for a business on Google, its GBP appears as an information box that provides essential details like:

Business name

Address (or service area)

Hours of operation

Contact information

Photos and videos

Customer reviews

(Source)

The good news is business owners can either A) claim an existing GBP listing (sometimes Google will auto-generate business information if there is none) or B) create a new listing from scratch. 

By doing so, you’ll have complete control over the information Google displays about your business, which is a serious advantage. 

GBP is particularly important for businesses with brick-and-mortar locations (restaurants, stores, etc.) or those serving specific cities and neighborhoods (electricians, mobile detailers, consultants, etc.). 

Once you verify your GBP listing, you’ll unlock additional features, including the ability to:

• Respond to customer reviews and questions
• Create original posts to share offers or updates about your business
• Add service options like online delivery or booking

Besides Google Business Profile, other free tools offered by Google that help business owners with their digital marketing include:

• Google Analytics. The more you know about your target audience, the easier it becomes to create content for them. Google Analytics is a free platform that provides all kinds of insights into your audience’s behavior, including their demographics, how they found you, and how they interact with your site. 
• Google Search Console. If you want to find success with SEO (search engine optimization), you need a way to monitor your progress. Google Search Console provides crucial SEO metrics like position rankings, keywords, and indexing error reports. 
• Google Ads. A quick way to skyrocket your brand to the top of the search results is to use paid ads through Google. A perk of going this route is how much control you have over your ads (i.e., demographics, control over when they display, etc.).    

Why Is It Important to Verify Your Business Listing on GBP?

Are you still not convinced that you need to verify your business with a GBP listing?

Well, these five key benefits should help change your mind:

Keep your business information up to date

With a verified GBP listing, it’s confirmed that you’re the rightful owner of your business. That will prevent others from claiming your listing or making unauthorized/inaccurate changes to it. 

As long as you have complete ownership of your listing, you can update your business hours, respond to reviews, add photos, and create posts. 

If you don’t verify or claim your GBP listing, you risk Google displaying outdated or inaccurate information about your business, which can have disastrous results. 

Since so many users search on Google for local businesses, a huge chunk of your prospects will fall by the wayside because they saw an incorrect address or business hours. That’s why it’s imperative to claim your listing and keep your business’s information up to date. 

Enhanced customer interactions

One of the biggest perks of GBP is that you can respond to customer reviews, which will improve your reputation management. 

You can reply to both positive and negative reviews, which will demonstrate both professionalism and a staunch commitment to a positive customer experience. 

(Image Source)

You’ll definitely need lots of user reviews if you want to drum up business from local patrons. 

Why is that?

It’s because of how crucial reviews are for businesses in today’s age. According to a 2020 survey, 94% of customers claimed positive online reviews made them more likely to choose a business, while 92% said negative reviews turned them away immediately. 

With GBP verification, you can interact and respond to reviews to save your reputation. 

For example, you can call out fake reviews whenever they pop up, and you can address a patron’s genuine concerns whenever you receive a negative review. 

While you may want to just ignore negative reviews, it’s imperative that you respond to them, as that’ll improve the public’s perception of your brand.

The proof?

Harvard Business Review conducted a study which found that businesses who responded to reviews – good or bad – saw an increase in their ratings as a result. 

This is why it’s so important to respond to every review that your business receives on Google. 

Besides responding to reviews, GBP also enables you to:

Answer questions: Customers can post questions directly on your profile. Once verified, you’ll have the ability to answer their questions, which will position your brand as an authority figure. 

Message customers: GBP allows customers to message you directly through your listing, which definitely comes in handy. Through the messaging feature, customers can reach out with pressing questions and concerns or just to sing their praises.

Crucial for local SEO

Local SEO is the name of the game for brick-and-mortar businesses eager to capitalize on relevant user searches on Google. 

We’ve already mentioned how the vast majority of customers use search engines to find information about businesses in their area. 

If you want to rank high for keywords related to your business (like ‘pizza near me’), you MUST have a Google Business Profile. 

Otherwise, Google won’t know if it should trust your business or not, so you’ll have limited visibility on the SERPs. Moreover, a GBP listing is necessary if you want to get your business listed in the aforementioned ‘Google Local Pack’ (where three local listings appear along with their locations on Google Maps). 

Appearing in the Local Pack is integral for the success of local SEO campaigns. 

Why is that?

Studies show that 93% of searches that have local intent on Google feature a Local Pack, and 50% of users will visit a nearby business within 24 hours as a direct result of their local search. Moreover, 78% of those users will make an offline purchase in the near future. 

Increased trust and credibility

Picture that you’re on the hunt for a reputable plumber in your area. 

Which service would you choose: one with glowing reviews, readily available contact information, and high-resolution photos – or one that has no pictures, reviews, or even an address listed?

The choice is clear. 

This hypothetical proves the importance of Google Business Profile verification for generating new customers. 

In other words, Google isn’t the only one interested in your business’s credibility; your prospects are, too. 

In fact, Google reports that users are twice as likely to consider a verified business trustworthy over a non-verified one. Therefore, it’s in the best interest of your business and brand reputation to get verified on Google Business Profile. 

Prevent misrepresentations

As stated before, Google auto-generates business information for companies that don’t have active GBP listings. 

That’s because Google wants to provide the best experience possible for users trying to find local businesses in their area. Not every business creates a GBP listing, so it’s up to Google to fill in the gaps. 

However, while your GBP listing remains unclaimed, anyone can claim they’re part of your business (or even the owner). From there, they can scam your customers, upload misinformation, and destroy your company’s credibility. 

GBP verification will ensure that you’re the only one who can publicly upload information about your business. 

That will prevent scammers from claiming that they own your business, and you’ll be able to keep all your information up-to-date (auto-generated GBP listings may have inaccurate or outdated information). 

Access to insights and analytics 

A verified GBP account grants you access to invaluable analytics for your local SEO campaign. 

In particular, you can view metrics like:

• Search terms. You’ll have a list of all the unique search terms users typed into Google to find your business. 

• Profile views. This is the total number of users that viewed your Google Business Profile. 

• Direction requests. This represents the number of users that requested directions to your business. 

• Food orders. For restaurants, you’ll be able to view the total number of food orders placed through your GBP. 

• Calls. How many users called your business from your GBP listing? This metric lets you know. 

These are just a few of the data sets available to you with a verified GBP account. Also, you can view which actions users take once they visit your listing (like making calls or scheduling bookings). 

These insights are perfect for improving your listing, website, and marketing strategies.

How to Verify Your Listing On Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)

Now that you know why GBP verification is worth it, it’s time to learn how to make it happen. There are five unique ways you can verify your business on GBP, so let’s take a closer look at each one. 

Before you start the verification process, you have to claim your business first. To do so, go to Google Search or Google Maps and type in your business name and address. 

If there’s an existing GBP, click on the ‘Own this business?’ button and select ‘Manage this business.’

Once this is done, you can move on to the verification process. 

Image courtesy of Birdeye

Google offers several ways to verify, and the available options might vary based on your business type.

#1. Postcard

In this method, Google will send you a postcard with a unique code to your address. Business owners need to enter an accurate address and request the postcard.

The postcard usually arrives within 5-14 business days. 

Once you have it, log in to your Google Business Profile. From the dashboard, navigate to your business and click “Verify now” or “Verify location.” Enter the 5-digit code listed on the postcard, and you’re all set. 

#2. Email

Some business profiles have the option to verify by email, but it’s not unanimous. If you see the “verify by email” option, click on it, double-check the email address, and select “Verify Now.”

After that, you’ll get an email from Google with a verification code and an activation link. Click on the link, enter the code on the following page, and tap “Verify.” 

Presto! You’re now verified in GBP. 

#3. Phone or text

From your GBP dashboard, select “Get Verified” and choose the “Phone or SMS” option. 

Ensure that the number you’ve provided is the right one and that you can immediately answer calls to it (a time-sensitive code is involved).

Google will then call you and give you a code. If you select SMS, they’ll send a text to that number with a code. Enter the code in your Google Business Profile page, and you’re good to go. 

This verification method is only available in a few countries, including the US and Canada.

#4. Video recording

Another option is to send Google a video recording proving that your business actually exists in your area and that you own it. 

This method is a bit more complicated, so here’s a step-by-step breakdown. 

How the process works

1⃣ Initiate verification

Log in to your GBP and click “Verify now.” If video recording is an option for you, it will appear on the list. 

2⃣ Instructions and guidelines

Google will provide specific instructions on what to include in your video and guidelines to follow. Read over these carefully!

3⃣ Record your video

Google requires a continuous, unedited video that proves you operate at the claimed location (edits could imply manipulation, which is why it needs to be one seamless take). 

Here’s what to include:

Location: Show the exterior of your business, including any visible street signs, nearby businesses, or the surrounding area. This will confirm your business’s connection to your Google Maps listing.

Operations: Showcase what you do. This could be inventory, branded equipment, marketing materials, or tools you use to serve customers.

Proof of management: Demonstrate your authority to represent the business. Ideas include showing an employee-only area, using keys to unlock the building, or briefly displaying non-sensitive business documents (or posing in front of your framed portrait).

Steps for Recording

1. Use your mobile phone. If you started verification on a desktop, scan a QR code to continue on your phone.
2. In your Business Profile, tap “Get Verified” > “Capture Video.”
3. Tap “Start Recording” and follow the guidelines to create a single, continuous video.
4. Tap “Stop Recording” > “Upload Video.”

4⃣ Upload and submit

Follow the provided steps to upload the video for Google’s review.

5⃣ Optional: Delete your video

Once verified, you can delete the video from Google’s servers. Go to your Google Business Profile > More > Advanced Settings > Video Uploads > Delete Videos.

#5. Live video call

Instead of filming a video, you can also take part in a live video chat with a Google representative to complete the verification process. 

First, you need to check when representatives are available for the call on this page.

To kick off the call, you’ll need to start a text chat with a support agent first. Go to your GBP dashboard, select “Get Verified,” and then choose “Video Call” from the list of available options. Select your language of choice, and then hit “Start Call.”

Source 

A support representative will help you join the call. 

During the call, you need to show all the same details you would in a video recording (i.e., business location, equipment, and proof of management).

#6 Bulk Google Business Profile verification

If you manage 10 or more locations of the same business, you may be eligible for bulk verification, which definitely comes in handy. 

Here’s how to get started.

Prerequisites

• No existing verified accounts: Ensure that no individually verified accounts exist for the locations you intend to manage in bulk.
• Error-free account: Double-check that your existing Google Business Profile account is in good standing.
• Ineligible businesses: Service-area businesses (those without physical locations) do not qualify for bulk verification.

Next, put together a spreadsheet containing information for all 10+ locations you manage. 

Include each business’s name, address, contact details, etc. 

Ensure that all locations are part of the same business entity.

Here are the steps to request verification:

1. Sign in to Google Business Profile Manager on your computer.
2. Click “Verifications” in the left-hand menu.
3. Select the “Chain” option for bulk verification.
4. Complete the form and provide the following information:
   • Business name
   • Countries/regions of operation
   • Contact names for all managers of the Business Profile account
   • Contact phone number
   • Business manager email
   • Google Account Manager email (if applicable)
   • Submit: Finalize and submit the form.

Google will then email you regarding the status of your bulk verification request.

#7 Instant verification 

If your website has already been verified with Google Search Console, your GBP may be eligible for instant verification. 

If you qualify, you don’t need to go through any of the verification methods listed above and can directly edit your company’s details.

This is by far the quickest and easiest way to verify your business on GBP, so it’s worth setting up Google Search Console if you haven’t already done so. 

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile Listing After It’s Verified

Now that you’ve verified your GBP listing, it’s time to optimize it so that your profile provides:

• Useful information 
• A way to connect with customers
• A boost to your local SEO 

Here are five best practices for optimizing your Google Business Profile listing. 

Use professional images

Upload current photos of your establishment, but ensure that they’re A) high-resolution and B) remain consistent with your brand identity. 

If you have any videos of your business in action, feel free to add them as well. Visuals like photos and videos act as social proof for would-be customers browsing your products and services. 

The team at Google claims businesses with photos have a higher chance of generating clicks to their websites and requests for directions. 

This plumbing service is an excellent example of using high-quality photos in a GBP listing:

The highlighted photo beams with friendliness and professionalism, and the others are effective at showing off their plumbing work. 

In the same vein, restaurants can upload images of their signature dishes and decor – and furniture stores can highlight the craftsmanship of their products. 

Categorize your business correctly

Google Business Profile operates on categories, so you should add as many that directly relate to your business as possible. 

Why is that?

Because Google’s search algorithm uses these categories to decide when to include your business for local searches, it’s imperative that you include the full gambit of what you offer.

In other words, don’t just add one main category and call it a day. 

You’re allowed to add up to 10 relevant subcategories, and you can and should use them all. 

Google provides the example of a grocery store that offers both a pharmacy and a deli. In that scenario, their primary category would be ‘grocery store,’ but they should also include ‘pharmacy’ and ‘deli’ as subcategories. 

Enable special features

GBP provides special features for hotels, restaurants, pubs, and other types of businesses to better highlight their offerings. 

For example:

• Hotels can display their class ratings, check-in and check-out times, and a list of amenities provided. 
• Restaurants and bars can display menus and add URLs for online delivery/reservations.
• Some businesses have the ability to list their products directly.
• Healthcare providers can list their accepted insurance providers. 
• Some businesses have the option to book appointments or request a quote.

(Source)

Depending on your business offerings, you should capitalize on these features since they make it easier for customers to spend money at your business. In the example provided, the electrician company enables prospects to request a quote straight from the Google results.  

Add any other helpful information, such as wheelchair accessibility, LGBTQ+ friendly, and free Wi-Fi availability.

Actively Manage Reviews

If you want your prospects to view your business as credible, you need user reviews. 

Google provides star ratings and detailed comments so that customers can accurately relay their experiences. 

We’ve already gone over how important it is to respond to both good and bad reviews, since professional responses will lead to higher ratings later on. 

Optimize the copy on your listing

Add a small overview of your business offerings at the top of your Google Business Profile listing. Here’s an example from a sushi restaurant:

This one or two-line sentence is a deciding factor that can persuade customers to pick your business over the competition. If your company has a concise, enticing description while your competitors only have a few words (or no description at all), it becomes clear which business is more professional.  

Think of it as a call to action for your company. Keep it short and sweet, but highlight what you offer and how you stand out from the crowd.

Leverage Google Posts

Google Posts are mini-updates that appear directly on your Business Profile whenever your listing appears in Search and Maps.

It gives you a platform to highlight what’s happening in your business, which will keep your customers in the loop. 

Here’s how to use them effectively:

Source

There are three different types of posts, including:

• Offers: Promote sales, discounts, and limited-time deals. Visually showcase the offer and use time-sensitive language to create urgency.
• Updates: Share general news about your business. This could be new products, awards, blog articles, or behind-the-scenes glimpses to build connections.
• Events: Announce upcoming events, workshops, webinars, etc. Include dates, times, and how to register or attend.

Boost Your Local SEO Presence with a Verified Google Business Profile

Setting up your Google Business Profile and getting verified is the foundation of a strong local online presence. 

It signals legitimacy to both your customers and Google – plus, it gives you the tools you need to stand out in local search results. 

Want to dominate your local market? 

Let’s make it happen!

Take the next step:

If optimizing your Google Business Profile and tackling local SEO seems overwhelming, don’t worry! 

The HOTH’s marketing and SEO experts are here to handle everything for you. Get in touch today and start attracting more local customers to your business without having to lift a finger.

FAQs

What is a Google Business Profile?  

A Google Business Profile is a free listing that helps your business get discovered on Google Search and Maps. 

It lets you showcase essential business information like your address, hours of operation, photos, and enables customer reviews.

Why is Google Business Profile verification important? 

Verification adds a badge of legitimacy to your listing, boosting customer trust. 

It also helps improve your ranking in local searches and grants you full control over how people interact with your business online.

How long does the verification process take? 

The most common verification method is to receive a postcard containing verification codes, and it typically takes 5-14 days to arrive. 

Other methods like phone or email verification can sometimes be faster, but the overall timeline can depend on your specific business and location.

Can any type of business get verified? 

Most businesses that have a physical location or operate as service-area businesses (those that serve customers at the customer’s location) are eligible for verification. 

There are certain restrictions for strictly online businesses or specific sensitive business categories.

I’m not receiving my verification postcard. What should I do? 

First, double-check that the address in your Google Business Profile is completely accurate. 

From there, you can request that Google send you another postcard, or if your business is eligible, you can attempt a different verification method.

My verification was rejected. How can I fix this?

The most important step is to carefully review Google’s Business Profile guidelines. 

Common reasons for rejection include inaccurate information or not meeting Google’s eligibility standards.

Can I change my business information after verification? 

Yes, you can edit your basic business information after verification. However, be aware that significant changes to your name, address, or business category might trigger the need to re-verify your listing. 

The post Google Business Profile Verification: What Is It, and Why Do You Need It? appeared first on The HOTH.

One helpful tool is the Google Business Profile. This tool allows you to manage the way your company appears on Google search and Maps. It also allows customers to leave good reviews of your business. 

So, how do you go about getting more reviews for your Google Business Profile? 

Don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. This article will explain the best ways to get more google reviews, why you need them, and any other questions you might have regarding Google My Business. 

Why is it Important to Have Reviews for Your Google Business Profile?

So, you probably already have the jist of what a Google My Business account is; it’s a free tool to manage and control the way your company appears in Google search and google maps. You can connect with potential customers, post products, and services.

Discovery is one of the most important reasons your business absolutely needs a Google Business account. Whether you are looking for more web or foot traffic, it is needed to give your customers the option to view your business via Google search. 

Besides viewability, reviews are one of the most crucial elements in building trust with your shoppers or clients. Reviews are necessary when a potential customer is viewing your business. Just one written review can be a deciding factor for someone interested in your service. 

Another great reason that your business account needs reviews is for social proof. If you have no reviews or very few, your business doesn’t look solid. These days proof of legitimacy is crucial to your business. In 2021,  there were over fifty-thousand scam reports. Your company needs to look real from an outsider’s perspective and reviews can definitely do that. 

Don’t stress public reviews! It’s an excellent way to establish confidence, and even if you receive a bad review, you can respond to that customer with your side of the story (but more on that later). 

What Are the Easiest Ways to Get More Google Reviews?

So, here is the bread and butter of this article. Reviews about businesses are so telling and can carry more weight than any marketing tactic. Whether your reviews are word of mouth or written, you need your customers to let people know your business or company is awesome.

Here are some fantastic and easy ways to get more google reviews:

• Share your link
• Allow accessibility
• Ask your customers for reviews
• Social Media Posts 
• Link out from your website 
• Import a Google review CTA in your footer 
• Encourage your customers to leave a review with cards 
• Respond to previous reviews 

Sharing your link and giving your customers or potential customers access to your review page is important. It’s makes it much easier for clients to leave comments about your business. Also incentives, such as giveaways, are also a great tool for boosting reviews. 

There is no shame in review requests. Most customers understand that reviews are necessary to help spread the word about your service. 

Ask your customers or clients for reviews either on social media or with a card, but remember to make it easy for them. Also remember to respond to any previous reviews that you already have. 

Regardless if your reviews are good or bad, communication is vital to gaining leads for your business. 

How Important is Sharing Your Google Business Profile Review Link?

Getting your google review link out there is a great way to get more reviews. The easier it is for your customers to be directed to your business acount, the more reviews you’ll get. 

It’s vital to have a customizable or even a short url to your review page or review platform so your customers can spread the word. Studies suggest that 88% of customers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations. 

For example; if you ask your client to write a review for your business account and they have a difficult time finding your review page, then you may not get that good review that could potentially lead to a new customer. 

It’s a great practice to make your link easily accessible, especially if you send it via email, newsletter, or social media. If your business information is widely available, then it’s easier for happy customers to leave a google review on your business account. So share your google review link as much as you can. 

Google search and potential customers are more likely to trust, request service from, and even call if your company profile has at least forty reviews. So, more reviews, either good or bad, are great for business. 

What Are the Benefits of Having Google Reviews? 

As you already know, getting reviews on your business profile is so useful to your website, business, or company. If you still are unsure if you need a Google profile with reviews, then you may want to consider some of the main benefits of using this innovative, free tool.

Here are some fantastic benefits of having Google reviews:

• Being seen on Google Maps
• Being able to manage your Google presence
• Being recognized as a local business 
• Gaining foot and web traffic

Being seen and getting discovered is one of the main benefits of reviews. Traction and gaining new leads that turn into loyal customers are critical when starting up a new profile. Whether your company is brand new or being revised for a modern world, you need new reviews from your respected clients and customers. 

If your business needs some SEO work, don’t fret; check out our SEO strategy template for a ton of helpful information to get your business seen. 

What Is The Best Way to Respond to Business Reviews?

Responding to your customers’ reviews whether they are great, bad, or neutral is important to gaining reviews and new business leads in general. 

Some customer service tactics come into play when responding to reviews; because potential clients are reading them and deciding whether or not they want to use your service. 

The best responses to each review are always professional, friendly, and reasonably responsive.  If you happen to receive a complaint, it’s always best to be apologetic, try to be understanding, and try and talk it out. 

Another great way to respond is to remind your critic about the strengths of your business. For example, if you receive a bad review; remind them that your customer service is there to help them out if they have any questions or concerns. 

Offer ways to fix their problem, and it may be best to give the best way to contact your business with a direct link and with contact information such as a phone number or email address. 

What Should You Do If You Receive Negative Reviews?

So, let’s take a second to talk about negative reviews. Every business has them, and there’s a right and a wrong way to handle them. It can be somewhat discouraging to receive a poor review, but Google actually finds businesses more trustworthy if they have a few bad reviews. For example, too many five-star reviews may seem suspicious to a potential lead. 

With that said, let’s talk about the best ways to react to complaints. Always respond regardless of what is said. As stated above, bad reviews will happen and when they do, using a basic customer service approach is the best way to handle them. 

Responding professionally with friendly problem-solving tools will help show your potential leads that even if they have a bad experience with your business, it can be resolved professionally.

If you’re having trouble getting more positive reviews and need a helping hand, check out  HOTH Stars, our online reputation management and review software. 

What Are the Best Strategies for Receiving Positive Reviews?

Good reviews are the most sought-after feedback. Every business owner wants positive reviews for obvious reasons. The best way to receive good feedback is to treat your customers and clients with respect and provide great service. 

Here are some strategies to get positive Google reviews for your business:

• Stay professional under pressure
• Participate in social media posts
• Send a personalized follow up message 
• Share positive reviews to your social platform and your website
• Always respond 

Whether you are on a mobile device, a tablet, or a computer, it’s important to make your review links accessible and easy to access for your clients. The Google maps app is a great example for mobile access to your new customers. 

Using these seamlessly easy strategies and tools can really boost your positive google reviews without having to change your Google My Business listing. Remember not to worry about negative reviews; just be sure to respond with helpful ways to fix their problems. 

How Do You Handle Fake Reviews?

If you keep receiving spam or false reviews for your business, that can be a problem; however, there’s a way to fix it. If you are confident that a fake review was posted, you may flag this review by locating the three dots to the right and clicking. 

An option to flag as inappropriate should pop up. Be careful not to overly flag comments because Google may penalize your business. 

It’s against Google’s terms of service to create fake reviews or misleading google reviews. Be aware of Google’s business profile rules before flagging or asking google to remove reviews. 

The best practice would be to simply respond kindly to any negative reviews with common customer service practices. Report any fake reviews or false information if needed.

How Do You Improve Your Business with Customer Reviews?

If you only have a few reviews or you’re searching for a better way to improve your business name with your google reviews, you may want to consider using a few digital marketing tactics. Whether your reviews are from business location, online services, or through social media reviews are what helps drive traffic. 

Put your reviews where everyone can see them! Blast them across your website or use them on your social media posts so everyone can see your star rating. Follow up with potential customers or past customers to see if they need your services. 

You can also keep track of happy customers with your services, which will allow you to follow up with clients who will spread the word about your business. 

Content creation and digital marketing is a fantastic way to show off some of those awesome reviews left by your happy customers! Using SEO and blog content with direct links to your Google Business Profile can also help gather more reviews by loyal customers.  

How Do Customer Reviews Affect Your Business?

We took some time above to discuss negative reviews. A few bad reviews can sometimes help your business because it makes your company look more “real” to Google. However, if you keep getting negative reviews, it can deeply affect your business and the way clients view it. 

Studies show that 86% of potential leads will hesitate to purchase a product or service from a company with too many bad reviews. The same studies also suggests that just one negative review can cost your business a sum of thirty leads. 

Response times for negative reviews are also considered when a client is viewing your business profile. If your response time is late, the client might also reconsider moving forward with your product or services. 

The same can also go with good reviews, you may receive a gold star review that glows and makes your business look amazing; responding to all reviews whether good or bad, can really boost your company’s local search, local SEO, and make your business look professional. 

Do Reviews Impact Your SEO? 

Search results and the algorithm are greatly affected by your google reviews, whether negative or positive. The more reviews you get, the better! It’s a fantastic way to boost your online presence and your search ranking. People love reviews and reading them. That can really improve your online reputation. 

They help your potential leads turn into clients or customers. Whether these reviews are good or bad, reviews are always a deciding factor. Google also takes the same stance when SEO comes into play. 

As you probably already know, reviews and SEO are interconnected because they are trying to reach the same goal. Google wants to help its users find the best possible answers to their questions, so gaining good reviews rank better in search. 

One great tip to be aware of is only four-star rated businesses will show- up in Google search results. So, while a negative comment here and there may not deeply affect your business, gaining good reviews will positively impact your SEO and ranking. 

Keywords and SEO practices are necessary when setting up your business account. It would be best if you incorporate keywords into your account. It can help make your business seen and get discovered by new people. 

Conclusion

Customer feedback is often an overlooked element of business. However, reviews are extremely important for potential customers and customer experience when deciding whether or not they want to take your business up on your offer. Trusted companies rank higher in searches, and gain more customers in the long run. 

Every business should use a Google Business Profile account for reviews and use its free tools to promote sales and offer services.

Business trust happens after a great client experience; speaking of trust, If you need some assistance Schedule a call with us today. We are here to help!

The post How to Get More Reviews for Your Google My Business Profile appeared first on The HOTH.

If you run what would be considered a “local business” in your community or city, it’s absolutely imperative that you have GMB set up and that you stay on top of it.

This blog will discuss five ways you can revamp your GMB if things have grown stagnant. Your first step should be claiming your listing if you haven’t done it already.

Then, simply follow these tips to start boosting your local SEO. Ready to begin? We’re going to count down the top five things you can start doing immediately.

Start scrolling to learn how to get started.

1. Add Keywords to Your Business Description

Our first piece of advice is to incorporate relevant keywords in your Google My Business listing, including within the 750 characters you get to describe your business.

That’s not to say you should overdo it by packing as many keywords as possible. As with any SEO content, the use of keywords needs to be natural and your description should be useful for visitors.

An effective GMB business description is clear and concise, and ideally, it would include a primary keyword to help your website rank.

Some enterprising businesses will attempt to add keywords to their business name. If that works for you, fantastic! Just make sure it doesn’t come off as spammy or fake.

In most cases, this only works for businesses whose names already contain a keyword. For example, a company named “Home Renovation Auckland.”

If you’re going to try to do this, we recommend proceeding with caution. Getting flagged by Google could result in penalties or losing your GMB listing.

2. Engage Visitors With Photographs

What’s the first thing people look at when they Google your business? That’s right, photographs!

If you operate a restaurant, for example, they want to see what it looks like inside before making a reservation. Or if you sell a unique product they want to see an image of it before buying one.

Here’s something to consider: businesses with images on their GMB get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks.

We live in a visual society and a majority of customers want to see pictures before they purchase goods or services.

The key here is to post high-res photographs. Blurry or badly composed pictures will reflect negatively on your business.

It may be worth it to hire a professional to get shots of the exterior and interior of your business, staff members, and any products or services you’d like to highlight.

3. Update Local Directories With Your Business

While optimizing your Google My Business page, you also want to ensure your business information is updated in other local directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, Hot Frog, or Yahoo Local (to name a few).

Why does this matter? Any local directory with your business information can refer new customers. This means all of the key information like address, hours of operation, or contact information should be up-to-date.

It’s not an uncommon scenario for businesses to change their hours of operation and not have it reflected on local directories. This could be frustrating to customers and even result in a lost sale.

Not only do you want to ensure the information is always relevant but adding more directory entries can improve your SEO as well.

We know how this takes a lot of time and effort. That’s why we offer The HOTH’s Local Business Listings & Citation Building Service. Our team can conduct a full audit of all the places you appear and whether the information is correct.

Then, we can start building new optimized citations for your business to grow your exposure and search ranking.

4. Check All of Your Google My Business Settings Regularly

Details change all of the time. Parts of your business are always evolving and even Google updates its systems a few times per year.

That’s why it’s up to you, a business or the agency you hire to help with GMB, to stay on top of the listing.

One easy way to optimize your listing is by updating categories. Google automatically assigns your listing a category but you’re able to change it to something more accurate.

You can also add “additional categories” to get more specific with your listing, which could result in more qualified traffic.

Another strategy is to keep all of your information localized. Make sure your phone number is listed with a local area code, for example, and set your GMB service area to only include the areas where you operate.

It may be tempting to expand your search area in GMB to reach more people but don’t do it unless that’s the actual strategy your business is taking.

5. Solicit Reviews From Satisfied Customers

Our No. 1 tip for revamping your GMB listing is to get more reviews! After looking at your business photographs on GMB, most online visitors will check out your reviews next.

They want to know whether the products and services you’re offering are high-quality, and how past customers have felt about you. Getting good reviews not only attracts more customers but can also improve your SEO.

Google will be more likely to show your business in search results if you have more reviews than your competitors.

Reviews aren’t always easy to get but you can solicit them from customers by sending an email after the sale to follow up on their satisfaction. This could include a link to your GMB listing.

Some companies even provide this link at the checkout.

It doesn’t matter what strategy you use to solicit reviews but the important thing is that you start getting more on your GMB.

Watch Your Local SEO Soar!

It’s impossible to boost your local SEO without claiming and optimizing your Google My Business page.

Following all of the tips we listed above won’t take long and they’ll deliver results. Once your listing is optimized, you’ll want to set a schedule for checking on it to make sure no revisions are needed.

Do you have additional questions about GMB or are you concerned about possessing the experience to manage it?

Our expert team of SEO professionals can help you! Simply book a call with us to get started.

The post 5 Tips to Revamp Your Google My Business Page appeared first on The HOTH.

Content syndication is a great way to get your content (typically an information blog post) in front of as many eyes as possible. The more places you can syndicate your content to, the more chances for people to see what you wrote. But that’s only half the story.

Content syndication is also a great way to get some really diverse backlinks to your site, as well as the internal links within the syndicated content. Check out our previous post on Content Syndication here.

So let’s start talking about how you can maximize your efforts to boost your SEO through Content Syndication.

Why Should You Syndicate Your Content?

So we briefly mentioned the 2 main benefits of using content syndication above. Now we can talk about how those benefits actually come to fruition and how they can really play a part in your overall SEO efforts.

More eyes on your content

Let’s say you write up a great blog post (or maybe you had our Blogger service write it for you!). It’s getting some clicks on your site and maybe even driving a few conversions and boosting your authority a tad. But you want some extra juice and eyeballs on the content.

If you syndicate that article, it can get published to all different media outlets and news sites. The visitors of those sites can find your blog post and ideally click on any of the links that’ll point back to your site.

Build A Base Layer Of Backlinks

Backlinks should still be a huge player in your SEO campaigns. After all this time, backlinks play a big factor in getting you onto page 1, and we don’t see that going away any time soon.

But you don’t want just 1 kind of backlink pointing back to your blog post; a healthy mix of diverse backlinks is proven to be the most efficient way to boost your backlink profile.

The Do’s and Don’t’s Of Content Syndication

Here, we’re going to break down some of the more important things you should do, and some of the commonly seen things you’ll want to avoid.

Which Type Of Content To Syndicate

There are different kinds of posts that might be featured on your blog. Some of them would make great syndicated content, and others might not be as appealing to your syndication partners.

Good content to syndicate features genuinely informational content, and you definitely want to make sure it includes some internal links. This will increase the chances of someone staying on the syndicated post to actually read your content, as well as click on a link to take them to your website.

Bad content to syndicate is more promotional rather than informational. If the content is overtly trying to sell the reader on something, rather than inform them, you won’t want to syndicate that. Sales and product pages would also fall under this umbrella. And pages with thin or sparse content won’t be very good as syndicated posts either.

Follow Syndication Guidelines

If you want your content to get published and stay published, you want to make sure to follow whatever rules or guidelines publishers have laid out.

Whether that’s not posting certain niches or topics, the number of links you can include, or how long the posts can be, it’s best to just follow along as long as it’s not compromising the quality of your content.

(Alternatively, if you don’t want to manually reach out to syndication partners yourself, you can use our service here).

Content Repurposing

Some publishers might not want to syndicate your content, and instead ask to repurpose your content. Content repurposing basically means you’d be providing the publisher with an entirely new blog post.

Not only is this going to involve you writing an additional blog post you likely won’t be able to use on your site, but you also won’t be able to use the rel=canonical tag commonly associated with syndicated content.

Links Within The Content

You want a healthy balance of keywords and internal links that’s proportionate to the length of the content.

A good rule of thumb for this is 500-word posts get 2 internal links, 1000-word posts get 2-3 internal links, 1500-word posts get 3 internal links, and 2000-word Posts get 4 internal links.

We’ve found these ratios to be the most effective at capitalizing on the length of the content without crossing over into “keyword-stuffing” territory.

When To Syndicate

There’s basically no wrong time to try syndicating your content. Manually reaching out to new publishers and site owners could take a little while depending on your relationship with them. So the sooner you start that outreach, the sooner you can get your content syndicated.

It can also be helpful to wait until your original content has been indexed. While this is not mandatory, it can speed up the process for the syndicated posts as well. (Of course, you can always manually submit your blog to Google to index to speed that process up too.)

Conclusion

There are a lot of ways you can go about syndicating your blog content – some methods better than others. It’s up to you to figure out which method works best for your website in tandem with your other SEO efforts.

Want to kick your SEO into high gear? Then check out our Content Syndication package and let us do the heavy lifting.

The post How To Get The Most Out Of Content Syndication appeared first on The HOTH.