15 Practical Google My Business Optimization Tips In 2024

If you want to improve your local business’s online visibility in 2024, then Google My Business optimization is the one for you. Optimizing your local business, no matter what it is–a bakery, pizza palace, Zumba classes, or a men’s grooming salon, Google My Business (GMB) profile can put you on the map—literally. 

In this blog, we’ve compiled 15 practical tips for GMB optimization that will make your business 

• Easier to find; 
• Drive more traffic; 
• Boost your local search ranking.

So, let’s hit the ground running, but with the basics first!

Why Google My Business Optimization Matters in 2024

The importance of optimizing My Google Business in local SEO has grown by exponentially. GMB optimization allows your target audience to find you easily in local search results. It increases your chances of appearing on Google Maps rankings and attracting more eyeballs.

Furthermore, it gives your customers a first impression of your business. They will get all your information—location, reviews, contact number, and timings. It will give them easy access to reach out to you via phone call or direct drop-by to inquire about your products and services.

Now that you know the WHY behind it, follow the 15 tips below to optimize your Google My Business profile. 

GMB Optimization Tip 1: Claim and Verify Your Google My Business Profile

Let’s face it—unverified profiles lose potential leads and display outdated or incorrect information. And it’s not good for your reputation and credibility. 

Claiming and verifying your Google My Business profile will help you take control of your online presence. This process gives you access to tools and insights that help boost your visibility in local searches. Once you verify your profile, you can upload photos, address, business hours, and contact information and respond to customer reviews—positive or not.

Example: You run a family-owned bakery. You haven’t done GMB optimization yet and neither has claimed your GMB profile. However, your local competitor has claimed it with the help of Google My Business Optimization, and now they are redirecting your potential customers to their bakery. You lost significant foot traffic there. 

Key Tip:

• Visit Google My Business; 
• Create a profile; 
• Follow the verification process, which includes options like receiving a verification code by mail or phone.

And you are done!

GMB Optimization Tip 2 : Ensure Your NAP Information is Consistent

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number. It is a crucial parameter for local SEO, as search engines like Google cross-check this information across different platforms. 

Inconsistent NAP details can confuse your customers and Google’s algorithm. They can also affect your visibility in local searches, which is not nice.

Example: Let’s say your online NAP states “123 Elm Street,” but your GMB profile lists “123 Elm St.”. This slight variation can cause a mismatch, which will hamper your rankings in local search results. Over time, these inconsistencies will only add up and decrease your trust in your business’s accuracy.

Key Tip:

• Regularly audit your GMB profile, website, and all online directories and make sure your NAP details are identical across all platforms. 
• Use a single format and keep it uniform, such as using “Street” instead of “St.” across all listings.

GMB Optimization Tip 3: Select the Right Categories

Categories are one of the most critical aspects of how to rank Google My Business. Your chosen categories allow Google to understand what your business does and help match you with relevant search queries. 

One thing to keep in mind when selecting categories is to avoid being too broad or too niche. Find the perfect balance. It will make your business more visible to people searching for services like yours.

Example: If you own a spa and select only “Beauty and Personal Care” as your category, you may be missing out on customers searching for specific services like “Massage Therapy” or “Facial Treatments.” Instead, choosing more focused categories like “Day Spa” or “Facial Spa” will have more footfall looking specifically for those services.

Key Tip:

• Select one primary category that closely matches your business; 
• Gradually add two to three secondary categories that reflect the services you offer. 

GMB Optimization Tip 4: Optimize Your Business Description

Your business description is your chance to make a strong first impression on potential customers. Be informative, engaging, and authentic with it. You have 750 characters to describe- 

• What your business offers; 
• Its unique selling points; 
• What sets it apart from competitors? 

Be sure to include key information in the first 250 characters with relevant keywords, but don’t overdo it. 

Example: A local bookstore can use its business description like, ‘For over 100 years, our family-owned bookstore has been collecting rare books you find nowhere else. Come and experience the rarity of literary artwork.’ to highlight its wide range of rare books. The keyword “rare books” makes sure it’s optimized for both SEO and user engagement.

Key Tip:

• Focus on your business’s value proposition, services, and any unique aspects (e.g., family-owned, 100 years) 
• Subtly include relevant local and industry-specific keywords (rare books).
• Don’t repeat any information 
• Avoid including links or HTML 

GMB Optimization Tip 5: Use High-Quality Images

Visual appeal impacts customer’s decision-making. Businesses with high-quality, relevant images or videos are more likely to attract potential customers. 

Add relevant and high-quality photos of your products, services, team, and premises. Try to add images of a welcoming atmosphere, as this will encourage potential customers to stop by.

Example: A local but small boutique coffee shop posts clear, inviting photos of its interior, menu items, and coffee varieties. This generates more interest than one that is much bigger in size but only shows its storefront. 

Key Tip:

• Upload at least 10 high-resolution photos to your GMB profile. 
• Include images of your storefront, interior, team members, products, and special events. 
• Update these images regularly to reflect changes and keep your profile fresh.

GMB Optimization Tip 6: Enable Messaging on GMB

Google My Business offers a messaging feature that lets customers contact you directly from your profile. Turn on this feature to allow potential clients to ask questions, request more information, or place orders without visiting your website. It’s an excellent way to increase engagement and encourage customer interaction.

Example: A local electrician could turn on messaging to allow customers to ask about service availability or pricing. Responding quickly to inquiries will give more confirmed bookings or service requests.

Key Tip:

• Enable messaging through the GMB dashboard 
• Respond to messages within a short time frame. If you can’t do it on your own, assign someone to do it on your behalf  
• A fast response increases the likelihood of converting inquiries into sales.

GMB Optimization Tip 7: Encourage Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are meat and potatoes for local SEO. They can significantly impact how your business is seen online and help you rank higher in local searches. Positive reviews signal to Google that your business is trustworthy and credible. But that doesn’t mean you should overlook the negative ones. Responding to negative reviews will demonstrate your good customer service.

Example: A local salon that consistently receives 5-star reviews for its services will appear higher in local search rankings and attract more customers. Responding to both positive and negative reviews shows that the business values customer feedback and is committed to improvement.

Key Tip:

• Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave a review by sending follow-up emails or simply asking in person. 
• Respond to every review within 24-48 hours to show that you care about your customers’ experiences.

GMB Optimization Tip 8: Utilize Google Posts for Engagement

Google Posts lets you share updates, promotions, and events directly on your GMB profile. This underutilized feature can effectively drive engagement and inform your audience about what’s happening in your business. Each post stays visible for seven days. It’s a great way to promote time-sensitive deals or events.

Example: A yoga center can use Google Posts to advertise new membership deals, upcoming classes, or limited-time promotions. Regular posting keeps the business top-of-mind for customers and helps draw in more engagement.

Key Tip:

• Post at least once a week to stay relevant. 
• Use posts to highlight special offers, upcoming events, or new products and services. 
• Include high-quality images or video to keep the content visually appealing.

GMB Optimization Tip 9: Optimize for Local Keywords

If you want to improve your local SEO performance, adding local keywords to your GMB profile can significantly help. Local keywords help search engines understand the geographical relevance of your business. You should focus on long-tail keywords that include your location and specific services.

Example: A law firm based in New York should include keywords like “New York legal services” and “New York family lawyer” in its business description and posts. It helps the business appear in search results when people in New York search for legal services.

Key Tip:

• Include location-specific keywords in your business description, posts, and customer reviews. 
• Make sure your keywords are naturally incorporated. 
• Avoid keyword stuffing.

GMB Optimization Tip 10: Add Products and Services to Your Profile

One great way to provide customers with detailed information before they even visit your website is to list your products and services on your GMB profile. Google allows you to list products, services, pricing, and descriptions. It will help potential customers understand your services and offerings. 

Example: A landscaping business can list services like lawn care, tree trimming, and garden design, along with detailed descriptions and pricing. It will help potential clients to know exactly what to expect when booking a service.

Key Tip:

• Regularly update your product and service listings to reflect any changes. 
• Include accurate pricing, clear descriptions, and relevant keywords to optimize for local search queries.

GMB Optimization Tip 11: Answer Customer Questions in the Q&A Section

Google My Business includes a Q&A feature where customers can ask questions, and you or other users can provide answers. It’s a nice way to provide important information, address concerns, and display your customer service. Make sure to monitor this section regularly and provide timely responses.

Example: A restaurant can use the Q&A section to address common questions about reservation policies, dietary options, and opening hours.

Key Tip:

• Proactively monitor your Q&A section 
• Answer common questions before they are even asked. 
• Include frequently asked questions in this section, preemptively helping customers find the necessary information.

GMB Optimization Tip 12: Optimize Your GMB for Mobile Users

More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. The simple reason for that is that users look for local businesses while on the go. When they are hungry, they look for a pizza place near them. When they crave a good hot coffee, they look for a coffee place near them. Everything is on the go. 

You are responsible for ensuring your Google My Business profile is optimized for mobile viewing. We don’t want you to lose customers to poor mobile viewing experience.

Example: A user searching for “pharmacies near me” is more likely to visit a pharmacy with a mobile-friendly GMB profile that clearly displays: 

• Its contact information; 
• Opening hours; 
• Location in an easy-to-read format. 

If your GMB profile is cluttered or outdated, they may turn somewhere else.

Key Tip:

• Test how your profile appears on mobile by using different devices. 
• Make sure that key details like hours, directions, and contact information are easily accessible 
• Make sure images load quickly without compromising quality.

GMB Optimization Tip 13: Use the Booking Feature for Service-Based Businesses

If you run a service-based business, the booking feature on Google My Business is made just for you. It simplifies the appointment scheduling process and how. It allows customers to book appointments or consultations directly through your GMB profile. Can you name a more convenient way for your customers to engage with your business!?

Example: A beauty salon that offers online booking through GMB might see an uptick in appointments. Just for the simple reason—customers can schedule services like getting a haircut, facials, and manicures with just a few clicks. It eliminates the need for them to call or visit the website and reduces friction in the booking process.

Key Tip:

• Sync your appointment scheduling software with your GMB profile to make booking seamless. 
• Google integrates with many booking platforms. Just make sure your system is compatible for a smooth user experience.

GMB Optimization Tip 14: Monitor GMB Insights Regularly

Google My Business provides insight into how your profile performs. It offers a 360-degree view of the number of searches, views, and actions taken by customers. 

Checking these insights will help you understand what’s working for you, what’s not, and where you can improve. 

Example: A local gym notices that most of its profile visits come from users searching for “yoga classes.” By focusing more on promoting yoga classes through posts and updating their services section, they can attract even more customers for that specific offering.

Key Tip:

• Review insights weekly or monthly to track trends and performance. 
• Use the data to adjust your keywords, posts, or services regularly.

GMB Optimization Tip 15: Leverage Special Attributes and Highlights

Google My Business allows certain businesses to showcase special attributes such as “women-owned” or “pet-friendly.” These highlights can make your business more attractive to specific customer groups. Furthermore, adding relevant attributes improves your chances of appearing in relevant search results.

Example: A pet-friendly café listing this attribute on GMB will likely attract more pet owners searching for a place to grab a coffee with their dogs or cats. Similarly, a women-owned business can attract customers looking to support female entrepreneurs.

Key Tip:

• Check the “Attributes” section on your GMB dashboard; 
• Select the features that match with your business. 

Now that we have covered all 15 practical Google My Business Optimization tips let’s answer some frequently asked questions. 

FAQs on Google My Business Optimization

FAQs questions and answers:

Q1: What is Google My Business optimization?

Google My Business optimization is the process of improving your GMB profile to improve local search visibility. Zylon provides expert GMB optimization services to make sure your business is fully optimized for customer engagement and higher search rankings.

Q2: How does Zylon help with Google My Business optimization?

Zylon enhances your GMB profile by optimizing photos, reviews, and keywords. We do everything we can to ensure your business stands out in local searches. Our Google My Business optimization services improve your overall local SEO performance.

Q3: How can I optimize Google My Business for local SEO?

To optimize Google My Business, follow the below steps: 

• Provide accurate NAP info; 
• Verify your listings;
• Add high-quality photos or videos;
• Optimize business categories;
• Engage with reviews

Zylon provides services that help businesses fully optimize Google My Business for better local search rankings.

Q4: How does Zylon help with how to do SEO for Google My Business?

A3: Zylon provides comprehensive strategies on how to do SEO for Google My Business. We focus on keyword integration, business optimization, and enhanced customer engagement. 

Q5: How to rank Google My Business higher in local searches?

A1: To rank Google My Business higher, optimize your profile with accurate information, customer reviews, and local SEO practices. Zylon’s experts know how to rank Google My Business using the latest optimization techniques.

Bottom Line

That brings us to the end of it. We hope the above 15 practical tips will help you with GMB optimization. At Zylon, we offer professional website development and SEO services to help businesses like yours optimize their online presence. Get in touch with us today and we will take matters in hand immediately.