Google My Business SEO – The Ultimate 14-Point Checklist(in 2022)

What’s up, readers! I’m Pablo Espinal.

Google My Business SEO is one of the most important things you can do for your small business.

It can be the difference between being found by customers online and being invisible.

This blog post will discuss the 14 steps you need to take to rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile/website.

Let’s dive right in…

Google My Business Basics

Google my business is defined as the free listing service provided by Google that enables businesses to have a presence within the local search results.

Step # 1 Create A Business Profile

The first step to ranking higher on Google with your Google My Business profile is to create a business listing.

This can be done by heading to the Google My Business website or searching for “Google My Business” in the search box and clicking on the link that comes up.

Here are the steps for creating your profile:

1. Enter your business name and address in the provided fields.

2. Select your primary industry category from the dropdown list.

3. Add photos of your business and any other information you think is relevant, such as hours of operation, product/service details, etc.

4. Submit your listing for review by Google to ensure that all of your information is accurate and up-to-date.

Step # 2 Make Sure Every Section Is Completed

Once your profile has been created, you must ensure that each section is completed. 

This includes adding photos, hours of operation, product/service details, and more.

This will help convince Google’s algorithm that your business is legitimate and trustworthy, which can help boost your rankings in the local search results.

Step # 3 Make Sure Your Contact Information Matches Your Business Information

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, the contact information on your website must match exactly what you’ve listed in your business profile.

This means updating your website to include a phone number and physical address that matches the ones listed within your Google My Business profile. Something like this:

Your business should have the same contact information no matter where it is found on the internet.

Remember to include your hours of operation when creating your profile(especially holiday hours).

Here is how to add your contact information to your Google My Business Profile:

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the “Info” tab.

2. In the provided fields, enter your business phone number, address, email address, social media profiles, hours of operation (including holiday hours), etc.

3. Click “Save” when you’re finished to save your changes and update your profile accordingly.

Step # 4 Create Primary As Well As Secondary Categories

A key step to ranking higher on Google with your Google My Business profile is to add multiple primary and secondary categories for your business.

This will help improve your SEO rankings by indicating more accurately what you offer, which can help boost your website’s relevance in the search engine’s eyes.

Add relevant keywords to each category that accurately describe the products/services you offer.

Here is how to add multiple categories to your Google My Business Profile:

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the business you want to update.

2. Click “Categories” from the left-hand menu and select “Add New Category.”

3. Add one primary category and a few secondary categories that accurately describe your products/services.

4. Repeat this process for your other locations, if applicable.

Step # 5 Make Sure To Choose A Business Category 

To improve your SEO rankings and boost your chances of ranking higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, choosing a business category relevant to the products/services you offer on your website is essential.

This can help show search engines a clear connection between your website and your business and indicate more precisely what value you provide to customers or clients.

Some good options for choosing a relevant business category are “restaurant,” “boutique,” or “car repair.”

To find the best business category for your website, spend some time thinking about your services or products and which keywords would be most appropriate.

Here is how to add a business category when creating your Google My Business profile:

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the “Info” tab.

2. In the provided fields, enter your business category and click “Save.”

3. Repeat this process for your other locations, if applicable.

Step # 6 Your “From the business” Description Should Be Thorough

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, you must write a detailed “from the business” description that can help inform potential customers and clients about the products/services you offer.

This means going into detail about what value you provide to customers or clients and including any important keywords that can help boost your SEO rankings.

Your description should be professional and accurate but also written clearly and concisely, which helps to engage readers.

Here is how to write a descriptive “from the business” description for your Google My Business profile: 

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the “Info” tab.

2. In the provided fields, write a detailed and accurate description of your business and its products/services.

3. Include any relevant keywords or phrases to help boost your SEO rankings, such as specific industry terms.

4. Click “Save” when you’re finished to save your changes and update your profile accordingly.

Step # 7 The Importance Of Weekly Google Posts

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, it’s important to post new updates and content to your profile regularly.

This helps keep your website and business top-of-mind for potential customers or clients and shows search engines that you are actively engaged in providing value to your audience.

One good option for posting regular updates on your Google My Business profile is to create weekly blog posts about recent news or trends in your industry. It would look something like this:

Another option is to regularly engage with customers or clients by answering questions or responding to reviews posted on the platform.

Here are some tips for creating weekly Google posts: 

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the “Posts” tab.

2. Write a new blog post or review of your products/services and include any relevant keywords or industry terms that can boost your SEO rankings.

3. Post regularly to keep your business top-of-mind for potential customers and clients and build trust and engagement with search engines like Google.

4. Repeat this process weekly to stay up-to-date on the latest news in your industry and improve your SEO rankings over time.​

Step # 8 New Photos Should Be Uploaded Regularly

In addition to posting regular updates on your Google My Business profile, it’s also important to regularly add new photos to your profile.

This can help boost engagement and trust with customers or clients and signal search engines that you are actively working to make your business more visible online.

Some good options for adding new photos regularly include putting a camera out in front of the store or taking selfies with your team after a big project is completed.

Here are some tips for uploading new photos to your Google My Business profile: 

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the “Photos” tab.

2. Select relevant images from your computer or phone that showcase your business or team.

3. Click “Add” to upload the photos and add them to your profile, making sure to follow any size requirements or other formatting guidelines Google provides.

4. Repeat this process regularly to keep your profile fresh and engaging for potential customers and clients.​

Step # 9 Stay Involved By Regularly Answering Questions

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, it’s essential to stay active and engaged within the platform.

One way to do this is by regularly answering customer or client questions posted on your profile.

This helps to build trust and engagement with potential customers and also shows search engines that you are actively working to serve your audience.

Some good ways to get involved in answering questions on your Google My Business profile include being responsive within customer support channels like email, social media, or chat tools like Intercom or Drift.

Here are some tips for staying involved in answering questions: 

1. Log into your Google My Business account and click on the “Messages” tab.

2. Scan through any questions that customers or clients have posted and respond as needed.

3. Make sure to be thorough, thoughtful, and professional in your responses, and consider using a customer support ticketing system like Zendesk to stay organized.

4. Repeat this process regularly so that you can keep up with all of the questions posted on your Google My Business profile and continue building trust and engagement with potential customers or clients over time.​

Step # 10 Stay On Top Of Your Reviews

In addition to posting regular updates and answering customer questions on your Google My Business profile, it’s also important to stay on top of any reviews that are posted there.

This can help improve customer trust and engagement with your business and signal search engines like Google that you are committed to providing a high-quality experience for customers or clients.

Some good ways to stay on top of reviews include regularly checking in on review platforms like Yelp, Facebook, or Trustpilot and quickly responding to any negative comments or complaints.

Here are some tips for staying on top of your reviews: 

1. Sign up for a free account with review platforms like Yelp, Facebook, or Trustpilot, and make sure to connect these accounts to your Google My Business profile.

2. Regularly check in on these review platforms, scanning for any new reviews that have been posted about your business or team.

3. When you see a negative review, quickly respond with a thoughtful and professional message, making sure to address the reviewer’s concerns directly and offer any support or assistance needed.

4. Repeat this process regularly so you can stay on top of all reviews posted about your business online and continue building trust and engagement with potential customers or clients over time.​

Step # 11 Make Sure To Add Your Products And Services

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, it’s also essential to make sure that you are regularly adding your products and services to the platform.

This can help improve visibility for your business and signal search engines like Google that you are committed to providing a high-quality experience for customers or clients.

Some good ways to add your products and services include: 

1. Sign into your Google My Business account and click on the “Products & Services” tab.

2. Scan through all of the products or services listed on this page, update any outdated information as needed, and add in any new products or services you offer over time.

3. Remember to include any relevant keywords or categories related to your products and services, as this can help with search engine visibility.

4. Repeat this process regularly so that you can stay up-to-date with all of the products and services listed on your Google My Business profile and continue improving your rankings over time.​

Step # 12 Don’t Forget To Setup Messaging

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, it’s also essential to make sure that you are regularly setting up messaging features on the platform.

This can help improve communication with customers or clients, drive more engagement and traffic to your business website or page, and signal search engines like Google that you are committed to providing a high-quality experience for customers or clients.

Some good ways to set up messaging include: 

1. Sign into your Google My Business account and click on the “Messaging” tab.

2. Select one of the available messaging settings, such as text message notifications or automatic responses, and customize this setting according to your needs.

3. Don’t forget to include any relevant keywords or categories related to your products and services, as this can help with search engine visibility.

4. Repeat this process regularly so that you can stay up-to-date with messaging features on your Google My Business profile and continue improving your rankings over time.​

Step # 13 Regular Profile Maintenance Is Important

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, it’s crucial to make sure that you are regularly maintaining and updating this platform over time.

This can help improve visibility for your business and signal search engines like Google that you are committed to providing a high-quality experience for customers or clients.

Some good ways to maintain your profile include: 

1. Sign into your Google My Business account and click on the “Info” tab.

2. Scan through all of the information listed on this page, update any outdated information as needed, and add in any new information that is relevant to your business over time.

3. Remember to include any relevant keywords or categories that are related to your business, as this can help with search engine visibility.

4. Repeat this process regularly so that you can stay up-to-date with all of the information on your Google My Business profile and continue improving your rankings over time.​

Step # 14 Optimize Your Videos

To rank higher on Google with your Google My Business profile, it’s also essential to optimize all of the images and videos included on this platform.

This can help improve visibility for your business, drive more traffic to your website or page, and signal search engines like Google that you are committed to providing a high-quality experience for customers or clients.

Some good ways to optimize your images and videos include: 

1. Sign into your Google My Business account and click on the “Photos” tab.

2. Scan through all of the photos and videos listed on this page, making sure to optimize each one according to best practices for image and video optimization (e.g., using descriptive filenames, appropriate file formats, correct sizes, etc.).

3. Don’t forget to include any relevant keywords or categories related to your products and services, as this can help with search engine visibility.

4. Repeat this process regularly so that you can stay up-to-date with all of the images and videos included on your Google My Business profile and continue improving your rankings over time.​

Frequently Asked Questions On Google My Business Profile:

What can I add as a business description for my profile?

Your Google My Business profile allows you to add a detailed description of your business, including information about the products and services you offer and any notable company history or achievements.

You can also include keywords and categories in your description to help improve your visibility on search engines like Google.

What is the difference between Google My Business and Google business profile?

Google My Business is simply one component of your overall business profile on Google.

This platform allows you to manage information about your business, including details like contact information and location, upload photos and videos, respond to customer reviews, and more.

In contrast, a Google business profile focuses more broadly on the different aspects of your business. It may include information like pricing and availability, as well as customer reviews and testimonials.

What is the Google My Business Help Phone Number?

The Google My Business Help Phone Number is 888-847-1262.

How can I promote my Google Business profile?

There are several ways to promote your Google Business profile, including engaging with your customers or clients through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, creating targeted email campaigns, utilizing paid advertising options like Google AdWords, and more.

Ultimately, the key is to find the marketing strategies that work best for your business and actively engage with potential customers or clients to increase awareness and drive traffic to your profile.

What can I do if my Google business profile is suspended?

If your Google business profile is suspended, the first step is to review the terms of service closely and ensure that you comply with all applicable guidelines.

You may also want to reach out to the Google customer support team for additional help and guidance as you work to resolve any issues or reinstate your profile.

Well, that’s it for now! If you have time, don’t forget to check our recent post on ranking your business locally.

It is full of tips and tricks you can put to use the minute you activate your Google My Business profile!

Lastly, please don’t forget to leave a comment below and share on your social media if you found this information useful!

Till next time!