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Tag: Google My Business

  • 8 Tips to Help You Optimize Your Google My Business Listing for Competitive Markets

    8 Tips to Help You Optimize Your Google My Business Listing for Competitive Markets

    Google My Business (GMB) is an effective way to gain traffic and customers for free. Unfortunately, this is no secret. As long as you’re not offering some very unique product or service, you’d mostly have at least some local competitors. Like you, they too might have already claimed their GMB listing.

    So, while claiming your business on GMB is an excellent first step to get some local exposure, you need to optimize your listing in order to stand out from the competition. How do you do that? Here are 8 tips that can help you optimize your Google My Business listing-

    1. Add Accurate, Complete, and Engaging Information

    Google suggests that your GMB profile should be accurate, complete, and engaging. Start optimizing your business profile by accessing the Info tab in your GMB profile. You can find several different attributes in this section.

    Update all the attributes, including service options, hours, etc., to ensure that the listing correctly reflects your operations. You can also add links and pictures to help the customers better understand your business.

    2. Update Contact Information Carefully

    Ensure that the business name you add to your GMB listing is the same as your store signage. Never use keywords or location names in the business name, as it could be considered spamming and might result in a penalty.

    Also, make sure that your contact number and address exactly match your business listings throughout the web. If there are inconsistencies, Google will most probably track them, and this can affect your local ranking negatively.

    3. Use Google Posts

    If you want to make your GMB listing more engaging, Google Posts can be a great choice. You can use the posts for keeping the business listing current and promoting your latest offerings. They can also be used for sharing updates with customers.

    As the content you add in the posts can impact search rankings, you can also consider adding relevant keywords wisely to improve your local ranking.

    4. Encourage Customer Reviews

    Review count and review score also impact local rankings. Higher review volume with a high score can help you rank better than your competitors. You can implement strategies to encourage your customers to leave a review for your business on Google.

    For instance, if you are just starting with GMB optimization, you can consider offering some discount to the customers who write a review for your business.

    5. Choose the Right Business Category

    The business category is also a crucial component of your GMB listing as it helps you get found in discovery searches and highlight category-specific features of your business. Google offers a list of 2,000+ business categories to choose from.

    Be very specific when choosing the business category. For instance, if you’re running a ‘nail salon,’ do not select just ‘salon.’

    6. Track QnAs

    There is also a QnA section for every business listing that cannot be turned off. Anyone can ask questions about your business, and anyone can answer them. As the answers can impact a customer’s decision of whether or not to deal with your business, it’d be wise to closely track the QnAs.

    In the Settings panel of your GMB account, you can turn on notifications for questions and answers posted on your business profile. You can also create your QnA section with frequently asked questions. Use keywords wisely when writing the questions and answers to improve your ranking for the keyword.

    7. Write Hyperlocal Website Content

    Your website’s SEO also impacts the ranking of your GMB listing. To improve your local search engine rankings and boost your GMB ranking in the process, consider writing hyperlocal website content.

    The posts can be dedicated to nearby places or things that can be done in the neighbourhood. Follow the best SEO practices while writing these content pieces for the best results.

    8. Work on the Core Web Vitals

    The recent algorithm update by Google has made the Core Web Vitals a crucial ranking factor. These are made up of three factors, largest contentful paint, cumulative layout shift, and first input delay, related to page speed and user interaction-.

    You can visit this Google page to generate your free Core Web Vitals report. View the report and work on factors that are negatively affecting the website vitals to improve your ranking.

    Succeed Locally with GMB Optimization

    Claiming your business on GMB is only the first step to improving your local business ranking. GMB optimization is the key to making your business rank higher, preferably above your top competitors, in local search results.

    Businesses can also consider hiring a reputed digital marketing company to help them optimize their business listing on Google and rank higher even in competitive markets. As experts better understand the SEO landscape, they can provide your business listing an edge over others.

  • How Can Attributes Help Improve Your Google My Business Listing?

    How Can Attributes Help Improve Your Google My Business Listing?

    Getting your business listed on Google My Business (GMB) is a must for optimizing your digital presence, especially if you are aiming to cater locally. One of the most critical aspects of your GMB listing is the attributes.

    In simple words, attributes enable you to advertise your features, services, and other offerings. Do you have a wheelchair accessible entrance? Is there a parking space? What are the payment options you offer? All of these and much more can be selected and shown to your potential customers and even Google in the bid to boost your listing.

    While Google takes several other aspects of your digital presence into consideration, attributes do take you a significant step closer to better rankings.

    Examples of Google My Business Attributes

    Here are some different attribute categories and their attribute options-

    • Accessibility- Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking, Passenger Loading Area, Beach Wheelchairs
    • Activities- Boats for Rent, Bicycles for Rent, Game Room, Scuba Diving, Horseback Riding
    • Amenities- Air Conditioning, Bar Onsite, Child Care, Free Breakfast, Fitting Room
    • Crowd- Adults-Only, Family-Friendly, LGBT-Friendly
    • Dining Options- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Delivery
    • Highlights- Live Music, Fireplace, Pool Table, Play Area for Kids, Rooftop Seating
    • Payments- Cash-Only, Credit Cards Accepted, Debit Cards Accepted, Meal Coupons, NFC Mobile Payments

    Types of Google My Business Attributes

    Currently, there are more than a hundred different attribute options to choose from. New attributes are also added regularly. But the attributes you see in your GMB account will depend on your business category. All the attributes available for various businesses can be divided into two broad categories- Subjective and Objective.

    • Subjective Attributes

    According to Google, the subjective attributes determine “What your business is known for.” The business or listing owners cannot directly influence the subjective attributes of their listing. Google gives them these attributes based on the responses it receives from the users.

    For instance, if you run a garage, someone who frequently visits your establishment will be asked about many different aspects of your business by Google. The subjective attributes will then be given by Google based on the responses.

    • Objective Attributes

    The listing owner has complete control over the objective attributes. You can select attributes that best describe your business from your GMB dashboard. Make sure that you only choose attributes that are true to your business, as Google also collects data from your customers.

    In case if any attributes are found to be untrue, Google will remove them from your listing. Moreover, by showing such attributes, you’ll be misleading your customers. This could very well convert into a negative review that could also impact your GMB listing.

    Steps to Add Google My Business Attributes

    If you want to add attributes to your GMB listing, here are the steps you can follow-

    • Log in to your GMB Account
    • Look for the “Info” option and select the location for which you’d like to add attributes
    • Click on the “Add Attributes” option and then select “Edit”
    • After making your selection, click on “Apply”

    Boosting your Google My Business Listing with Attributes

    The GMB attributes are one of the many things that could help improve the ranking of your business listing on Google. While listing owners can themselves add and manage the attributes, it is best to work with a reputed digital marketing company for the best results.

    Professional marketers better understand search engines and the ever-changing marketing trends to not only manage your GMB listing but also help improve other aspects of your online presence.

  • Weekend Digital Media Round-up: Google’s changed GMB listings, Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button Removal, YouTube’s Change in Data Collection and More…

    Weekend Digital Media Round-up: Google’s changed GMB listings, Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button Removal, YouTube’s Change in Data Collection and More…

    1. Google Makes Changes to GMB Listings With Distance-Based Service Areas

    Google is going to automatically apply changes to Google My Business listings with distance-based service areas. Managers of Google My Business listings affected by this change will have the opportunity to review these updates after logging into their account. [Source: Search Engine Journal]

    2. Facebook Might Follow Instagram By Removing Like Counts

    Facebook may take a page out of its own playbook by removing like counts, similar to what’s being tested on Instagram. The screenshots shared by Wong indicate that Facebook’s hidden likes will work the same way. [Source: Search Engine Journal]

    3. YouTube Announces Changes to Data Collection and Ad Targeting on Videos Aimed at Children

    YouTube has announced a range of new measures to better protect children using its platform, reducing data collection on content aimed at kids, and the capacity for advertisers to target young viewers through ads on such content. [Source: Social Media Today]

    4. Google Introduces New Structured Data for Movie Carousels

    Google is rolling out a new type of structured data to help movies appear in new dedicated movie carousels. In order for a movie to be eligible to display in a carousel, only the title of the movie and an accompanying image need to be defined using structured data. [Source: Search Engine Journal]

    5. LinkedIn Launches New Course on Building a LinkedIn Presence and Utilizing its Ad Tools

    LinkedIn has launched a new course designed to educate people on how to make best use of the platform for brand-building and marketing, covering all aspects of LinkedIn’s on-platform tools. [Source: Social Media Today]

    6. Google Search Console Makes it Easier to Verify Domain Properties

    Google is working with domain name registrars to automate the process of verifying domain properties in Search Console. Domain properties were introduced to Search Console this year as a way of providing site owners with a complete view of their data. [Source: Search Engine Journal]

    7. YouTube Outlines its Improving Efforts to Remove Inappropriate Content

    YouTube has provided a specific update on the first element listed – removing inappropriate content, and how it’s been working to improve its efforts on this front. [Source: Social Media Today]

    8. Google launches an open-source version of its differential privacy library

    Google has released an open-source version of the differential privacy library it uses to power some of its own core products. Developers will be able to take this library and build their own tools that can work with aggregate data without revealing personally identifiable information either inside or outside their companies. [Source: Tech Crunch]

    9. Facebook Begins Rolling Out Updated Desktop Layout

    Facebook has now started rolling out the new experience to users, with a prompt notifying them of the change. The new layout aims to make it easier to navigate to your favorite elements, with tabs along the top of the screen, and a more compressed view. [Source: Social Media Today]

    10. Facebook Updates Face Recognition Permissions to Provide More Control

    Facebook has announced that it is removing its current ‘tag suggestions’ setting, which relates to the prompts it generates based on people it can identify in an uploaded image and improving its face recognition permissions, enabling users to opt-out of the process with one click. [Source: Social Media Today]

  • Weekend Digital Media Round-up: Google Display Ad’s parallel tracking, Twitter’s new desktop experience, Snapchat’s Netflix-Like Homepage and More…

    Weekend Digital Media Round-up: Google Display Ad’s parallel tracking, Twitter’s new desktop experience, Snapchat’s Netflix-Like Homepage and More…

    Logicserve Digital brings to you a curated round-up of important digital marketing updates this week. For further queries, you can write to us at newsbulletin@logicserve.com

    1. Parallel tracking for Google display ads: Mandatory as of July 31

    Google extended parallel tracking to display campaigns. Parallel tracking will soon be the standard method for handling third-party click measurement. It will be coming to video ads later this year. [Source: Marketing Land]

    2. Twitter Announces Full Rollout of the Platform’s New Desktop Experience

    Twitter has announced that it’s now rolling out the updated experience to all users. The new Twitter for desktop includes a range of updated features including direct messages all in one place, make twitter yours, more of what’s happening and more. [Source: Social Media Today]

    3. Snapchat Testing Netflix-Like Homepage for Shows Featuring Stars, Influencers

    Snapchat is testing a new feature to let users binge-watch original content on its app. The short original clips are integrated into the ‘Discover’ section of Snapchat, but the company is now planning to let users swipe over from the Discover page into a dedicated ‘Shows’ section. [Source: Gadgets 360]

    4. Google closes Chrome Incognito Mode loophole to improve privacy

    Google is beefing up Chrome’s Incognito Mode. The company confirmed that it is closing an API-related loophole that made it possible to detect when people were privately browsing in Chrome. [Source: Marketing Land]

    5. Instagram will now warn users close to having their account banned

    Instagram is strengthening its moderation policies today and adding a new alert that will warn people who violate rules when their account is close to being deleted. The alert will show users a history of the posts, comments, and stories that Instagram has had to remove from their account, as well as why they were removed. [Source: THE VERGE]

    6. Heard from Google, the biggest trends impacting PPC are privacy and automation

    Google is working on ways that they can continue to deliver relevant ads while using the least amount of user data. As privacy concerns mount, and search engines take it more seriously, advertisers will find it more challenging to bring their data about what drives their business into the engines. [Source: Search Engine Land]

    7. Twitter launches the ‘Hide Replies’ feature, in hopes of civilizing conversations

    Twitter is beginning its test of a change to its service with the launch of a new “Hide Replies” feature. The feature provides transparency because hidden replies are still available for viewing to anyone who wish to see them. Twitter’s goal with the feature is to encourage more civil conversation on its platform. [Source: Tech Crunch]

    8. 5% of Google My Business Listing Views Result in a Customer Action

    A new study of 45,000 local businesses reveals how customers are finding and interacting with Google My Business listings. The study states that an average business is found over 1000 times per month and conversion rate is 5% for Google My Business listing. [Source: Search Engine Journal]

    9. Twitter Announces New ‘LiveCut’ Video Editing and Publishing Tool, Which Will Replace SnappyTV

    Twitter has announced the end of its SnappyTV live video editing tool, and the addition of LiveCut, it’s replacement option, which is fully integrated into Twitter’s Media Studio. [Source: Social Media Today]

    10. Google may be testing shareable search results snippets

    Google is testing the search results snippets with new search buttons, including the ability to share a search result snippet with everyone. If you’re in this Google test, the three icons will be noticeable, one to share, one to open the cache page and one to open the result in a new window. [Source: Search Engine Land]

  • Google My Business Gets Subjective Attributes Update

    Google My Business Gets Subjective Attributes Update

    If users are analysing Google My Business, they would’ve noticed an exciting update to the analytics package. Some businesses are now showing ‘subjective attributes’ in My Business insights dashboard. They give qualitative information to users about what the business is known for. This addition is primarily seen for cafes and restaurant businesses currently.

    What are subjective attributes?

    Any verbatim information that helps give more information about the product, service, servicing quality, facilities, or overall user experience can count as subjective attributes. These characteristics or experiences assigned to the business enable other users to know more about the business. Common attributes worth noting are ‘cozy’ or ‘nice beverages’ or ‘signature dishes’.

    It works in a simple way – Google analyses the various subjective comments put by users. It then sees which attributes are commonly / more frequently occurring. It then displays these attributes for others to see. On the business owners’ end, they can see the different attributes posted about their business or brand. This way, they come to know what the customers are thinking about them and their product/services.

    Releasing this update on Twitter, Google mentioned that the subjective attributes update provides more information on the insights tab. Customers can choose from a list of attributes – good for groups, good for kids, popular for lunch, casual, popular for dinner, and serves healthy options.

    What are objective attributes?

    Subjective attributes can be added by the users as they are highly opinion-based. However, there is another set of attributes – objective attributes – which can be added by the businesses themselves. These consist of factors about a product or service and show users what they have/ serve. So if a restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol, it can put it down as an objective attribute, as it is a fact and helps inform the users. Some examples include ‘has Wi-Fi’ or ‘Good for Sports’.

    How will it pan out for businesses?

    Customers’ opinions are based on the experience they receive at a café or a restaurant. These opinions are hence classified as subjective. Some examples of subjective attributes can be ‘good for groups’, ‘popular with locals’.

    Google says that these subjective attributes will remain on a business listing unless proven false. Needless to say, this characteristic is going to have a tremendous impact on the reputation of a business. Businesses will have to be wary and push up the service delivery quality. This way they can hope to earn more positive subjective attributes to be associated with their businesses.

    Who is the eventual winner?

    It is obviously the end user who is going to use the service of a business establishment or has used it in the recent past. Subjective attributes will expose the user to 3 sets of advantages as below

    1. He can see what parameters are in favour of a business establishment

    2. He has the power to influence decisions with his opinions (post his experiencing the service)

    3. He can make informed buying decisions based on the subjective attributes displayed

    What are your views about this exciting new update? Will you be using this facility to know more about the hotel or café you intend to visit in the upcoming days? Do write to us and let us know.

  • Google My Business Now Allows You to Post Videos

    Google My Business Now Allows You to Post Videos

    Google announced My Business by Google so that business owners can customise their businesses and how people view them on Google. My Business allows business owners with listing on Google to personally customise how people will see their listings. It also provides them with tools to build a website and interact with their audience when they leave a review, and Google will provide all this for free.

    What is the benefit of this feature to business owners?

    Google has been testing a video upload feature to be added to My Business to enhance it and allow business owners to showcase their products better. Google My Business team finally made that feature available to business owners, and it can be accessed through their My Business dashboard.

    This feature can be used by customers and business owners alike. Business owners with My Business can view all the videos uploaded by customers about their business, and also upload a video about their business for the customers to see. Developers at Google say that the video can be maximum half a minute long and it can take up to a day for it to be visible in your business listing.

    The feature will also give the business owners the ability to flag and report inappropriate videos by the customers and have them reviewed by Google and taken down. Currently, the video upload option is only available for the desktop version, but Google is planning on adding mobile support very soon, which can make My Business more efficient.

    Google has kept the video upload option as accessible as possible so that the merchants and business owners don’t get confused. The option is placed under the ‘photos’ section, at top right corner labelled ‘videos’. To upload a video, just click on ‘upload video’ and choose a video to be uploaded. The video will appear after it has finished uploading. It may, however, take some time for the video to be processed before it can be successfully uploaded.  After it has uploaded, it may take up to a day for the video to appear along with your listing on the site, or on Google Maps.

    How well has the new addition been received?

    The feature has already created a lot of hype because of the utility and ease of access it offers. The option can be found easily in the overview tab within the My Business dashboard, which makes it easily visible even to people with little knowledge about computers.

    The videos uploaded by the merchants and business owners are visible along with their business info, in the ‘by owner’ tab, and the customers’ videos can be found in the ‘Customers’ tab. Customers can shoot videos of the place and upload their reviews to the business listings for other people to gain insight before visiting.

    However, a business owner can report inappropriate videos by customers and have them removed after being reviewed by the Google team. The videos uploaded by the owner as well as the customer can be found under the ‘videos’ tab.

    Hence, to sum this up, business owners can now add videos of their products, along with local pictures, to boost their businesses more effectively.

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