BrightLocal Update: Top 5 Tips We Learned About Google My Business and Rankings

As a digital inbound marketing firm, we’re always looking for ways to help clients rank higher in Google searches. Recently, we attended the Bright Local Fundraiser Webinar for Ukraine and gained lots of insight on Google My Business and how it impacts your Google rankings. We heard some familiar tidbits but also some helpful new insights. Read on for the top five tips on Google My Business.
1. Photos Are Worth More Than a Thousand Words
We knew photos were an important part of introducing businesses to their potential customers but we didn’t realize how much Google loves them. Google ranks your Google My Business (GMB) images and swaps them out to evaluate and test which images work better: You never know what image will be shown first so it’s important you choose all good images. This also means you should steer clear of stock photos. If your business offers services rather than products, choose photos of real staff and staff with clients.
2. Word of Mouth Is Still a Great Marketing Tool
There is so much more to Google reviews than just receiving them. It’s important to respond to reviews in a timely manner. A new tidbit is capturing your Google reviews and posting them on socials, in marketing emails and even displaying them on your website.
3. Services vs. Products: What’s the Story?
One of the most significant things we learned from the Bright Local GMB Webinar was that services listed on your GMB profile do not affect your SEO rank. Products however do affect your SEO rank. Spend more time filling out products and add everything you can. Don’t sell products? No problem. List your services as products. You can include a photo and a link back to your website when filling out product descriptions.
4. It Never Hurts to Ask
Answering questions on your GMB profile is a lot like responding to reviews. It’s a great way to interact with customers. You should also consider submitting and answering your own questions to your GMB profile as it can act as a FAQ page.
5. The Bigger Picture
By now you probably know that Google is a powerhouse when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO). Because of this, you should be treating your Google My Business page as your homepage. Keep it organized, up to date and user-friendly so your potential customers can find the answers to their questions. Regularly upload posts and photos. Adding in content like this on a consistent basis will absolutely help your SEO rank.
More Tips on Google My Business
We believe GMB is so important that we devoted a webinar to helping you make the most of the service. Check out the replay here. And if you’d like more help with any facet of digital marketing, we’d be happy to discuss your options. Reach out today for a free consultation.
Share the knowledge
Master Your 2025 Marketing Strategy With the OGSM Framework: Webinar Recap
Planning for an effective marketing strategy for 2025 can seem daunting, but the right framework makes it much more manageable. In our recent webinar, we…
Explore this TopicThe Big 7: Top MSP Marketing Agencies
If you’re like many MSP owners or company leaders, you may find that marketing tasks often fall to the bottom of your to-do list. If…
Explore this TopicNew Launch: StoryBrand Website for Consultants
When TechSolve, a Cincinnati-based manufacturing consulting firm, considered a website refresh, they wanted it to provide visitors with a clear vision of how they help…
Explore this Topic7 Takeaways From Our Webinar: Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Beyond
Our CEO, Margee Moore, recently hosted a webinar with Intrust IT’s CEO, Tim Rettig. Tim is an experienced leader in mergers and acquisitions and employee…
Explore this Topic8 MSP Marketing Materials You Didn’t Know You Needed
As a managed service provider (MSP), you’ve likely spent countless hours perfecting your service offerings and building strong relationships with clients. But have you ever…
Explore this Topic12 Tips for Getting the Most From Your Content Marketing Service
Marketing for your business shouldn’t feel like dragging rocks uphill. If you’re investing in a content marketing service, you want to ensure every effort counts…
Explore this TopicNew StoryBrand Site Launched for Hospitality Technology Consulting Company
When our long-term client, ATC, decided to expand their hospitality sector with a new brand — ATC Hospitality — they needed a website tailored to…
Explore this TopicLandscaper Marketing: Green Industry Statistics Tell the Story
In the U.S., the green industry includes much more than just “landscaping.” This thriving sector is built on passion, creativity and a lot of hard…
Explore this Topic