Google My Business is the key to mastering your local SEO and cleaning up your community. However, there is a right and a wrong way to populate yours. With that in mind, we will highlight the biggest mistakes you can make on your Google My Business profile so you can avoid them!
1. Not claiming your Google My Business profile
The first and most obvious mistake you can make is simply not claiming your Google My Businessprofile.
You’d be amazed how many local businesses have yet to claim and complete their Google My Business profiles.
A lot of potential is going to waste, so make sure you claim your GMB today!
2. Choosing the wrong business category
You’d be surprised how many businesses accidentally choose the wrong category when filling out their Google My Business profile.
For example, a pizza delivery service should not be listed as a ‘restaurant’ because that implies that it offers a dine-in service. Similarly, a restaurant that does not offer delivery on its food should also be mindful of any categories with the words “takeout” in them, etc.
While there may be some grey areas depending on the nature of your niche, make sure you take the time to explore all your options and get this step right.
3. Using a PO box as your registered business address
Understandably, not all businesses will have a ‘physical’ location, such as a landscaper or a mobile detailing company. However, before going ahead and registering a PO box as your address (which Google considers to be ‘false address listings’), you should use your home address instead.
Don’t panic! Your home address will not be published for the world to see. Instead, prospective customers will be offered a business service ‘radius’ rather than an exact physical location.
Also, don’t try to fool Google into believing that you have a physical address in a different city (or country) because they will catch you out. For example, it can get messy if you offer SEO in Abu Dhabi and your physical address is there. Still, you are trying to register a GMB in London (even if you do service that area) without a physical address.
4. Neglecting customer reviews
The star rating your Google My Business profile receives is paramount! You should be dedicated to receiving 4 and 5-star reviews every single time a new customer interacts with your business.
Put it this way: when was the last time you spent money with a business with a star-rating lower than 3.5?
With that in mind, encourage your customers to leave feedback (but don’t incentivize them with freebies or discounts) and respond to everything when they do.
5. Inconsistent NAP details
Your NAP details (Name, Address, Phone Number) should be consistent across all media: your website, your business cards, your Facebook profile, and your GMB listing. Inconsistencies in your NAP details will confuse prospective customers, and Google may drop your GMB from the rankings.
Conclusion: Perfect your Google My Business
These are just a few blunders business owners make when filling out their Google My Business profile. If you want to ensure you are putting your best foot forward, we recommend outsourcing your local SEO requirements to professionals!
That way, you can avoid unnecessary mistakes while saving precious time, which can be used to focus on the things that matter most to you.
