Google My Business and SEO Gets You Found Locally

Written by Adi Young @ Eight Zero

When you type something into Google, you will generally receive results based on where you are. This happens if you have allowed your browser to access your location, otherwise you will just receive the most popular results. If you run a business, these local search results are crucial in allowing customers to find you. Google My Business allows customers to find information about you, including when you’re open, where you’re based and how to contact you. 

If you want your business to be successful in a world where people rely on Google to find out information, then you must be listed in Google My Business. Claiming a Google My Business (GMB) a listing can increase the success of your business both in online and offline operations. 

To be optimised for the best results, you need to ensure that your Google Page is complete and 100% accurate. Making sure that your page works correctly will increase traffic to your site. Not just that, but it will help visitors actually engage your services as they will view you as trustworthy and reliable (and Google varified).

When people are looking for a business, the local results are the ones that will do best. Google will help people find you by showing your address, contact details and a map to help them find you.

Google My Business (GMB) Page Setup

So how do you go about setting up a Google My Business page? Luckily for you, it’s relatively straightforward to do so won’t take up too much time but will result in more success for your business. 

The first thing that you need to do is claim your page, if you haven’t done so already!

Below is what you see when searching for the term eight zero, or something related to web design in the Nottingham region. 

Eight Zero on Google Maps showing as web designer in the Nottingham area.

An easy way to find out whether this has been done is to search your business on Google Maps. Here you will be able to find out whether there is already a page for your business based on whether anything comes up. 

As you can see below, the Eight Zero GMB has already been claimed (by us of course!) – which indicates Web Designer in Nottingham (you get to choose your category on setup) as the local business category, along with our web address, postal address, opening hours and our customer reviews.

Google Local Result for Eight Zero

If you don’t have a GMB page then all you need to do is sign in with your business Google account and follow the instructions that they set out for you. It’s so easy to do, as long as you follow the steps that they lay out.

Try and get your profile as completed as possible and then you can verify it. This is usually done via a simple phone call or postcard code. Once you are verified, visitors will be able to view 100% of your profile; including, your opening times and services you provide.

Being Google Business Varified allows your customers to leave reviews on your page once they've purchased your products or services. Reviews helps your next customer(s) decide whether to use you business, based on your review rating.

SEO Your Google My Business Page

Setting up is the easy part. Next comes optimising your page so it will appear on local search results. Google try to be as efficient as possible by setting parameters for where your business can be found. So if a searcher is outside of these parameters they won’t find you as easily. The closer the searcher is to your business (by distance), the higher up you will appear on their search results. So you should try and optimise your page to help people outside the search parameters find you. 

The way the Google does this is using highly complex algorithms, but there are ways around it if you’re not familiar with this. One thing you should do is try and get your business featured on other third party sites. This can be things like Yelp, TripAdvisor and Citysearch, as well as other smaller sites. 

Make sure that your business NAP (name, address and phone) details are consistent across every site that you’re on. This will help you improve in the search engine rankings. 

NAP Consistency for Local Exposure. Example

The Eight Zero name, address and phone number are consistent throughout the internet. Google recognises Eight Zero as a local web design company in Beeston, Nottingham.

Our NAP is included on our contact page (below) and in the footer of the bottom of every page of the website.

Local Business NAP: Eight Zero, 72b Wollaton Road, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 5NZ

It can be quite complex if you don’t know what you’re doing, but hopefully this has provided you with a base to start from. 

Google are incredibly helpful when it comes to setting up your page and optimising it is just a matter of making sure you appear on as many third-party sites as possible. It's all part of your local SEO strategy!

Contact Eight Zero today if your business would like to generate more business using local SEO. 

Or give us a call on 01158 967 855 to discuss your custom web design or local SEO services.

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