Why Google My Business?

An online directory listing similar to Yelp (not Facebook) but more valuable

Can expand your online visibility (a second website)

Displays valuable information to your prospects (directions, hours, etc)

Can display rich media in central location (photos, videos, social profiles)

Can display customer reviews

Carries strong weight in local ranking algorithm

Strong Weighting for GMB Factors

http://moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors

GMB Dashboard

Google My Business Setup

https://www.google.com/business/

Scenarios

1. Your business is listed correctly and you need to verify it

2. Your business is listed and it’s already verified

3. Your business is not listed and you need to create a new one

Setup Checklist

Check that you don’t already have a listing before creating a new one

Ensure that your contact information is exactly as it appears on your website, Facebook page and other online directories

Use your legal business name

Choose the best categories

Add rich media (photos and videos)

Create a compelling introduction

Ensure that listing is 100% complete

Verify listing

My Business Troubleshooting

NAP Consistency

Consistent name, address and phone number (especially on GMB listing and website)

Strong trust symbol and important ranking factor

Update your listing everywhere online if your address, business name or phone number changes

NAP+W (website URL) should be consistent

NAP Consistency

Should only be 1 local listing associated with your physical location (exception: realtors, physicians and other practitioners)

Duplicate/Additional listings can compete with each other and confuse people searching for contact info

Seek and destroy these listings. May require assistance from GMB support

Dupes/Additional Incorrect Listings

Dupes/Additional Incorrect Listings

Identifying Page Types

Can be quite tricky to identify what page type you are using (especially for unverified pages)

If verified, should have a “Verified Local Business” badge

If not verified, check to see if there is a large map for cover artwork

If there is a tagline on the About tab, it’s not a local page

Non-verified local pages should have a map on the about tab

Reviews are no longer a good indicator of page type

Advanced Optimization Tips

Business View

Business View

An Amazing Introduction

Respond to Negative Reviews

Share Updates

Optimize Photos & Videos

Questions?