Google My Business (GMB) is the most pivotal platform right now for managing your online presence.
But merely having a GMB listing won’t cut it—you must optimize it to ensure potential customers can easily discover your business when they search online.
One vital component of GMB optimization revolves around incorporating pertinent keywords.
In this extensive guide, we will lead you through the steps of seamlessly integrating keywords into your Google My Business listing (now called Business Profile), unlocking enhanced visibility and expanding your reach.
How to Add Keywords to Google My Business
1. Selecting Relevant Business Categories
When creating or editing your Google My Business listing, one of the first steps is selecting your business category. This category is a primary way that Google understands and categorizes your business.
It’s important to choose the most relevant category that accurately represents your business. Selecting the right business categories is your initial step toward optimizing your GMB listing for keywords. Ensure that you choose categories that closely align with your business type and services.
How to Do It
When you’re in your Google My Business dashboard:
- Go to the “Info” tab or section, where you can edit your business details.
- Look for the “Category” field.
- Start typing and select the category that best describes your business.
Why It Matters
The significance of selecting the right categories cannot be overstated. It directly impacts how well your listing matches user queries. For instance, if you run a coffee shop, categorizing it as a “Coffee Shop” rather than using a vague term like “Food Service” makes it far more likely to appear in relevant search results.
In essence, choosing the correct business categories is your initial and critical step toward enhancing your online visibility and reach.
2. Adding Keywords to Your Business Description
Your business description is a valuable area where you can add keywords. This section allows you to provide a brief overview of your business, its products or services, and what sets it apart.
Your business description is not just an opportunity to describe your business but also a chance to strategically include relevant keywords.
How to Do It
Include keywords that potential customers might use when searching for businesses like yours. For example, if you run a flower shop, you can mention “fresh flowers,” “floral arrangements,” and “flower delivery” within your description.
Why It Matters
The inclusion of keywords in your business description holds paramount importance. It significantly enhances the likelihood of your GMB listing appearing in search results when users input related search queries.
This strategic integration of keywords not only helps your listing get noticed but also increases its relevance in the eyes of both Google’s algorithms and potential customers, thereby bolstering your online presence and attracting a more targeted audience.
3. Leveraging the Products/Services Feature with Keywords
Google My Business allows you to showcase your products or services directly on your listing. This feature can be an effective way to add keywords and provide more information to potential customers.
This section is not just about showcasing what you offer but also about strategically incorporating keywords.
How to Do It
For each product or service you list, use keywords that accurately describe them. If you offer plumbing services, include keywords like “emergency plumbing,” “pipe repair,” and “drain cleaning.”
Why It Matters
Strategically utilizing relevant keywords in this section has a significant impact on the visibility of your products or services in search results.
When potential customers search for specific services or products in your industry, having these keywords in your listing enhances the chances of your business appearing in their search results. It’s a powerful way to connect with your target audience and attract potential customers.
4. Creating a Free GMB Website with Keywords
GMB offers the option to create a simple, free website for your business. This website can be an additional source of information and an opportunity to include keywords. The GMB website is not just a digital placeholder but a platform to strategically incorporate keywords.
How to Do It
When creating content for your GMB website, use keywords that reflect your business and offerings. Ensure that the website content aligns with your GMB listing information.
- Access your Google My Business dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Website” section.
- Follow the prompts to create your GMB website.
- When crafting content for your GMB website, prioritize the use of keywords that accurately represent your business and its offerings.
- Ensure that the content on your GMB website closely aligns with the information provided in your GMB listing.
Why It Matters
Creating a GMB website with content rich in relevant keywords has a significant impact on your online visibility and reach. Such a website can potentially rank in search results, giving you an additional digital asset that showcases your business.
It provides potential customers with valuable information, making it more likely for them to choose your business when seeking products or services in your industry or niche.
In essence, a keyword-optimized GMB website is a powerful tool for boosting your online presence and attracting new customers.
5. Publishing Posts with Relevant Keywords
Google Posts allow you to share updates, events, and offers directly on your GMB listing. These posts provide another opportunity to add keywords and engage with your audience. Google Posts are not just announcements but also a way to strategically include keywords.
“You can connect with existing and potential customers through your Business Profile on Google Search and Maps through posts.” And, “Posts can include text, photos, or videos to promote Business Profiles.”
There are three main types of posts you can create:
- Offers
- What’s New
- Events
How to Do It
When creating Google Posts, incorporate keywords that relate to the content of your post. For instance, if you’re promoting a special discount, use keywords like “discount,” “offer,” and “savings.”
Why It Matters
Posts enriched with keywords can significantly enhance your visibility among users actively searching for specific products, services, or deals. By strategically integrating keywords into your Google Posts, you can capture the attention of potential customers more effectively.
Also, keep in mind that Google’s content policy requires you to only publish content that creates a positive experience for your customers.
6. Including Keywords in Business Attributes
Google My Business provides various attributes to describe your business further. These attributes can help you add keywords that highlight specific features of your business. Attributes offer an additional way to strategically incorporate keywords into your GMB listing.
How to Do It
Select business attributes that align with the unique features and offerings of your business. Within these attributes, include relevant keywords to emphasize specific aspects. For instance, if your business offers vegetarian options, be sure to mention “vegetarian-friendly” as one of your attributes.
Why It Matters?
Keywords within your business attributes can set your business apart in search results, particularly when users are seeking specific criteria or unique features. By incorporating relevant keywords in these attributes, you increase the chances of attracting the attention of users with specific preferences or requirements.
Google’s My Business guidelines clearly states:
“Including unnecessary information in your business name is not permitted, and could result in your listing being suspended.”
You can check out this related guide on how to verify Google Business Without Postcard as well as this Google My Business Optimization Checklist for tips on increasing the rankings of your listing for relevant keywords in Google Search and Maps.
Summary
In this complete guide, we’ve explored various ways to add keywords to your Google My Business listing. By selecting the right business categories, incorporating keywords into your business description, leveraging the products/services feature, creating a GMB website, publishing keyword-rich posts, and including keywords in business attributes, you can enhance your GMB listing’s visibility and reach.
Incorporating keywords strategically is essential for optimizing your GMB listing and improving its chances of appearing in relevant search results. Remember to keep your keywords relevant to your business and services, and avoid keyword stuffing, as search engines penalize this practice.
By following these guidelines and optimizing your GMB listing with keywords, you’ll increase your business’s online visibility, attract more potential customers, and ultimately, drive growth for your business.
So, take the time to refine your GMB listing with relevant keywords, and watch your online presence flourish.