Imagine that you have a favorite coffee shop that offers the best brew available in town. Now you want to recommend this shop to a stranger looking for the best coffee. It is almost impossible to tell directions to a person new to town making Google your best choice. You search the shop on the web but it doesn’t show up in your search. Why? Because the owner didn’t know or care about Google Business Profile Optimization.

Nearly 80% of consumers use search engines to find local information. Yet only 44% of the businesses claim to actively manage their GBP listings. Here are some other common Google Business Profile Optimization Mistakes that you should avoid.

Common GBP Optimization Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inaccurate or incomplete business information

There is nothing more frustrating for the customers to find inaccurate information in your GBP listing. Make sure to regularly update information like business hours, phone numbers, and addresses, especially if a change is made. Incorrect information not only confuses customers but also can hurt your SEO rankings.

Also, make sure that you don’t leave information unfilled. Try to include information for every category asked. The information in the listing should match what’s on your website and other directories.

2. Irrelevant business categories

Business categories can hugely affect your rankings and also decide the features that show on your listing. In the primary category, showcase the primary focus of your business.

For example, you might have a restaurant that also has a play area for children. Your primary category should be about the food you offer rather than highlighting the play area. You can add the play area in the secondary category but be careful not to mislead the customers. Never include categories of products or services that your business doesn’t offer.

3. Having multiple listings

Having multiple GBP listings for the same business can confuse Google. This can lead to the search engines questioning your credibility and your business being pushed down in the ranking. Regularly check whether any duplicate listing shows up and make sure that you verify your original listing.

4. Ignoring or tampering with customer reviews

91% of customers aged between 18 to 34 prefer to trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. That’s a huge number and one great enough reason for you to not ignore customer reviews.

Respond to positive reviews with a simple thank you or if you have the time take it a bit further through personalized gratitude replies.

As for negative reviews, never delete or try to hide them. It would be best to address the issue and try to solve it.

5. Lack of visual content

Optimising your GBP listing does not stop with updating basic information. You have to put in effort to make the listing look more appealing. Visual content performs wonders in this aspect.

Businesses with photos are found to get 40% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks when compared to businesses without visual content. Create a video of your place or add photos of your customers visiting and enjoying your product or service. Make sure to click good-quality photos with a high-resolution camera. Hire a professional if necessary.

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Also Read: A Complete Guide on Google Business Profile (GBP)

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6. Not utilizing Google posts

When you have properly updated all your basic information, photos, and videos and have nothing much to do for optimization, Google Posts offers you the perfect chance. Through this feature, you can share updates, events, or promotions for your business. This can keep your customers interested and engaged while also offering consistent dates for your listing.

7. Forgetting to track performance using Google insights

The primary aim of your GBP listing is to attract customers but there are also other advantages that you can gain from observing the activities in your profile. For example, using Google Insights you can track information like how users interact with your profile, what attracts them, what actions they take, and where the traffic is coming from.

When you rightly utilize this data, you can learn more about your customers and also convert missing opportunities into winning strategies.

LocalBizNetwork

Optimising GBP listings is just one part of a larger strategy to dominate local search. To further boost your business’s visibility, list your business with local business directories like LocalBizNetwork. We offer killer features that can directly contribute to strengthening your online presence and improving your search engine rankings. Visit our website here to know more.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it important to keep my Google Business Profile information accurate? 

Accurate information helps customers find your business and improves your local SEO rankings. 

2. How do business categories affect my Google Business Profile? 

Choosing the right categories ensures your business shows up for relevant searches and features. 

3. Should I respond to customer reviews on my Google Business Profile? 

Yes, responding to reviews, both positive and negative, builds trust and shows you value customer feedback. 

4. How do photos improve my Google Business Profile? 

Businesses with photos receive more clicks and requests for directions, making your profile more engaging. 

5. What is Google Posts, and why should I use it? 

Google Posts allows you to share updates, promotions, and events, keeping your profile active and customers engaged.