Getting Found on Google

How to Get Found On Google - text

Google Rules the World of Search 

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last decade, I’m sure you have discovered that Google is the current winner of the search engine battle. I mean, when was the last time you’ve asked Jeeves anything? (For those unaware, ‘Ask Jeeves’ was a search engine years ago, it’s now Ask.com… either way, I digress).  Below is the 2019 top 10 search engine performance ranking as of Jan ’19 brought to you by the independent agency, Net Market Share.

How to Get Found on Google - Search Engine usage

If you want to be a major player in any industry, it’s in your best interest to work with the program that everyone is currently using and all of their competitors are trying to emulate. Through this article we’ll broach the topic of how you get found on Google.  Remember, Google is a tool that your customers are using to find what they need. The better you understand that tool and work within its rules, the easier your target audience will find you. Google boasts that every month they manage over 5 billion restaurant searches, 3 billion hotel searches, 1 billion clothing store searches, 600 million searches for beauty salons and 5 million searches for coffee shops, just to name a few.  This, along with more statistics can be found on their Google Business overview page.

How to get the Ball Rolling with Google My Business

The first thing you will want to do is ensure you are listed. To do this, you’ll have to go to the Google My Business or GMB search page. There will be a page for you to search for your business, type in your name and then claim what is rightfully yours. 

How to Get Found on Google - Google My Business

Now you’ll want to be sure that you have all your information entered correctly and accurately.  Remember, like all our other Local SEO topics, consistency is key here. You will want to be sure you are keeping everything the same.  As a reminder, when offered to write a description of your business, include your city and the ‘Key Words’ you’ve decided will best attract your key customer group. This business profile is free for you to create, no strings attached! Claiming and properly managing your GMB listing will make you two times more likely to be found in Google Search and Google Maps.  Also, it’s important to mention that without doing this, there is no hope for you to be a top hit in your customer’s search.

 

Communicating with Your Customers Online

Now that your business profile is up and running, turn your attention to the customers that have left your business a review. Have you responded to them? Below is a great example of a local eye care company connecting with their customer’s review.

How to Get Found on Google - Business Review

Both positive and negative reviews are an opportunity to show Google that you are engaged. The more engaged you are with Google, the more relevant you become. Keep in mind that you’re playing their game. The more you play, the greater your chance to win!  Google considers these businesses to be more trustworthy and will rank them higher in their algorithm. They even say these types of business are 1.7% more trustworthy for their search results. The Q&A section is another area that is frequently neglected. The age of your customer calling you with questions or emailing you at info@example.com are quickly fading away. Your customers are asking their questions right on your Google business post. It’s important for you to control the conversation. More so because any reviewer that you’ve had will also have an opportunity to answer these questions, you don’t know how they will respond. A prompt response from the business owner/ manager will give you an opportunity to, again, be more trustworthy according to Google AND provide a unique opportunity to speak directly to a future customer.

Both positive and negative reviews are an opportunity to show Google that you are engaged. The more engaged you are with Google, the more relevant you become. Keep in mind that you’re playing their game. The more you play, the greater your chance to win! Google considers these businesses to be more trustworthy and will rank them higher in their algorithm. They even say these types of business are 1.7% more trustworthy for their search results. The Q&A section is another area that is frequently neglected. The age of your customer calling you with questions or emailing you at info@example.com are quickly fading away. Your customers are asking their questions right on your Google business post. It’s important for you to control the conversation. More so because any reviewer that you’ve had will also have an opportunity to answer these questions, you don’t know how they will respond.  A prompt response from the business owner/ manager will give you an opportunity to, again, be more trustworthy according to Google AND provide a unique opportunity to speak directly to a future customer.

 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Search Hits

Excuse the use of the old phrase ‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’ but it does have some relevance within a user’s search results on Google. As mentioned earlier, the more active you are on Google, the more Google feels that you are playing their game and they LOVE IT when you play their game THEIR way!  You need to post pictures of your business, products, services, customers, etc. Utilize all the resources provided to you by Google and you will be rewarded by Google. If you can post your appointment schedule within the Google framework, even better! Video is quickly becoming a major factor at play as well. Provide interview videos of you promoting your business, better yet, your customers promoting your business! Create video content of your business at work or your business out in the community. Photos and video will make your business more relevant and ensure that you are getting found!

 

Stay on Top of Your Listing

Now that you are all set up, it’s very important that you stay on top of it. Any Google user can suggest an edit to your page, change your hours, or as mentioned before, answer your customer’s questions. 

How to Get Found on Google - Google Map Edits

You will want to continually look back and verify your info is still complete and your questions have answers from you. Google keeps these areas open to anyone in order for them to create an open community of users. It also lets them test various elements of their search algorithm and the search community as a whole. As a business owner, all you can do is to stay active and play the game.

 When it’s all said and done, Google needs to trust you. This trust is built by your Google activity and the accuracy of the information you provide online. Google’s reach is vast and it has it’s hands in everything. Ensuring an accurate and consistent message throughout all avenues will gain Google’s trust and boost the ranking of your business and allow you to be more easily found. For more information and hands-on assistance from a Local SEO expert, click here!

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