5 Reasons Why you Should Claim your Google My Business Listing Today

Are you a local business that wants more leads?

Of course you are, you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t.

 

It still surprises us that many local businesses have not yet claimed their Google My Business Listing(s). For a free tool to add to your local search visibility rankings, this is simply a no-brainer.

 

 

Claiming and verifying your business’ Google My Business (GMB) listing is an important [possibly the *most* important step] in any local SEO strategy.

 

So, what are the benefits of having a GMB listing?

Well if the above hasn’t already convinced you, then here are just 5 out the eleventy billion reasons why you should claim your listing, like NOW!

 

1. It’s Free!

This handy tool allows you to attract new customers through Google, for FREE. Your listing appears right when people are searching for your business or other businesses/services like yours on Google Search or Maps generating more high quality leads for your business.

 

2. Get seen online by the right people & generate more leads!

Verifying your information with Google My Business Listing will increase your visibility and trust factor with consumers. Managing your GMB listing is your first step toward growing your local business in Google as well as offline and landing you more leads. Potential customers are more likely to consider your business trustworthy and therefore worth spending their hard earned cash on. 

As we already mentioned above, your listing will appear right when people are searching for your business or products/services like yours. This makes it easier for your business to be found online, therefore generating you more high-quality leads.

3. Control your piece of Google real estate.

Your GMB listing is also customisable, with a lot of features that can be optimised to improve your rankings. So, get control of your listing if it already exists, or create it if it doesn’t.

Much like social media platforms, you can keep your GMB fresh with Google Posts and entice people to keep coming back to your business by sharing your latest special offers, deals etc.

 

Reading and responding to reviews from your customers is just as important, and you cannot reply to your reviews in Google unless you have control of your GMB listing.

 

Responding to good/bad reviews is a sign that your business takes your customer service seriously, and that you are genuinely engaged with your community. Businesses that respond to their reviews get more reviews and ultimately more business.

 

The number one mistake we see many businesses do is claim their listing and then forget about it. What most businesses don’t realise is that not only are there a variety of other features that Google give you to optimise your listing, but your listing relies on community feedback. That means anyone with access to the internet can ‘suggest’ changes to your listing. For example, your operating hours, phone number, list of services, menu products etc. Even leaving negative reviews unresolved can have an impact on potential customers.

 

These ‘suggested’ edits, are actually user-generated edits that can be made live on your listing without you even being notified. This is just one of the many reasons why you should be logging in to your GMB regularly.

4. Get better search rankings

Claiming, verifying and optimising your GMB listing has a significant impact on your overall search rankings. The more you regularly update your listing and include accurate information in the form of reviews, opening hours, photos etc the more you increase your chances of appearing higher in Google’s local pack, Google Maps, Local Finder, Knowledge Panel etc. The key is to ensure that your business details are accurate and consistent across other digital listings, directories etc..

 

 

5. Get bookings via GMB

This is an exciting feature that Google has rolled out across GMB listings. Link up your preferred scheduling tool and make it easier than ever for customers to schedule appointments just through your GMB listing.

 

 

Want more information? Read our article for simple tips to claiming or creating your Google My Business Listing.

 

Need help? Find out how we can help with your Local SEO.