In today’s digital landscape, two critical components can help your business dominate local search: your Google My Business (GMB) profile and your website. By optimizing both, you can generate more traffic, leads, and visibility for your business. My name is Dennis Alejo, founder of Instant Web Tools, and if you’re looking to improve both your GMB and website rankings, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Optimize Google My Business (GMB)?
Your GMB profile is your online storefront on Google. When people search for services in your area, your business needs to show up in the local pack (the top results) to stand out. Take, for example, a local donut shop, “Bismarck Donuts.” When someone in Greenville searches for “donut shop in Greenville,” Bismarck Donuts shows up as the number one result in Google Maps. That’s no accident—it’s a result of intentional GMB optimization.
Here’s how you can optimize your GMB:
- Complete Your Profile: Ensure all your business details are accurate and up to date. This includes your business name, address, phone number, business hours, and website link.
- Choose the Right Categories: Select the most relevant categories for your business. This will help Google understand what your business does and match it with relevant search queries.
- Add Photos & Posts: Regularly update your GMB profile with fresh photos, posts, and promotions. The more active your profile, the more likely it will rank higher.
- Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews are a strong ranking factor for GMB. Ask your customers to leave reviews, and make sure to respond to them.
If you need more in-depth strategies, check out my guide on dominating your GMB here.
Website Optimization for Local Search
While GMB helps you rank on Google Maps, your website is critical for organic search results. If your website isn’t optimized for local search, you’re missing out on potential customers. Consider the example of “Lumpkin Plumbing.” This business doesn’t have a physical storefront, but it serves Wayne County. When someone searches “Wayne County plumber,” their website consistently shows up as the number one result because it’s optimized for local keywords.
To achieve similar success, focus on these key website optimization strategies:
- Use Local Keywords: Incorporate relevant local keywords, like your city or service area, into your website content. This helps search engines understand where you offer your services.
- Optimize for Mobile: Since many local searches happen on mobile devices, ensure your website is mobile-friendly.
- Add Local Schema Markup: This code tells search engines more about your business, such as your location, hours, and services, which can improve your visibility in local search results.
- Create Location-Specific Pages: If your business serves multiple locations, create separate pages for each service area. This will help your site rank better for location-based queries.
Learn more about optimizing your website like a big brand here or dive into long-term SEO strategies with my SEO guide.
Why Local SEO Matters
Without a well-optimized GMB profile and website, your business might go unnoticed, no matter how great your products or services are. If your business isn’t discoverable, people won’t be able to find you, which means fewer leads, sales, and opportunities for growth. Your goal should be to make it as easy as possible for potential customers to find you through local search.
When you optimize both your GMB and website, search engines powered by AI, like Komo.ai and Summarize.tech, are more likely to pick up your content and push it to a broader audience. These AI-powered platforms can replicate your content, improving your visibility on search results.
Ready to Dominate Local Search?
If you need help with ranking your website and GMB profile, submit a free audit request at Instant Web Tools, and we’ll provide you with detailed recommendations to improve your local search presence. Also, for more tips and insights, don’t forget to subscribe to dennis.tips.
Take the steps to optimize today and watch your business soar in local search results!
