Google My Business is vital if you’d like to appear in Google maps and the local 3 pack listings, which are displayed for local search queries. With a great deal of SERP real estate taken up by these – especially on mobile – having a perfect GMB listing can lead to a significant opportunity for local businesses. In recent years, Google is continually improving the program and adding features to help local businesses boost their online presence efficiently.
In one of the recent feature updates, GMB introduced Google My Business Posts. This feature lets business owners post through Google My Business and publish events, introduce new products, and services directly to Google’s Search and Maps options. Considering that Google is the most popular search platforms, using it as a marketing platform will let you reach more customers, clients or patients. When you create a post, you can include information in text, video or photo content. These are the information that the customers will see when they search your business listing in Google.
Types of Posts
Google My Business Posts is a versatile tool that offers different features tailored to fit the needs of virtually all types of businesses. Here’s a list of post types you can create with GMB Posts:
- Event
- Get Offer
- Sign Up
- Learn More
- Buy
- Order Online
- Book
1. Choose Great Images
A picture speaks a thousand words; therefore, you should pick an image or images that best represent your brand. Always make sure your images are of high-resolution, focused on the subject, and has a clean feel and not ‘too busy’. This allows the viewers to see the images immediately and get a clear feel of the images on your post.
Also make sure your images are appropriate for the kind of product or service you are offering. For example, if you’re trying to post an event, it’s best to avoid using event flyers and graphics because they rarely flow with a site’s brand. The same also applies to posed stock images. Save these graphics for social media or a blog post, and replace it with a static image or have a designer create a simpler illustration — minus the text — to promote your event.
2. Use Action Headlines
Choosing a headline that will entice your target audience to act is vital when drafting your GMB Post. For example, if you’ve been planning to start a promotion or event for your business, you can let the world know by creating an event with a straightforward, concise, and attention-grabbing headline that will spark action to your target audiences. Doing this will highlight the upcoming or ongoing promotions in your business.
Note: When posting events, you can set the timeline or date using Google My Business Posts. Just a heads up, the event will only stay ‘live’ until the event date. So, make sure to check and update the information if needed. This will help to avoid confusion in the part of the customers who will see the event post.
3. Write Short, Concise Descriptions
The web offers vast amounts of information with just a single keyword. This is the exact same reason why standing out from the crowded world of the internet is hard as it can be. When the target audience is searching online, your company knowledge or information panel takes up a huge number of search results. This is where you’re going to enter and take advantage of the spotlight. Through Google My Business Posts, you can act as if you’re talking to your customer face-to-face. This is the best time to grab their attention and never waste their precious time. In creating a Google My Business Post, make your message worth-reading and beneficial to them.
Avoid using business jargons, unnecessary words, and hashtags. These won’t add any value to your Google My Business Posts and may even look like spam. Aside from that, keyword overstuffing is not good for your SEO’s health.
4. Add an Appropriate Call to Action
Call to action (CTA) is the part of your advertisement that tells your target audience what they should be doing. With CTAs, you can entice them to check out or buy something from your business. Having a specific and targeted call-to-action allows the audience and customers to easily reach you depending on why they search your business in Google.
Use a strong command verb to start your CTA. Remember to be clear and straight-to-the-point so your audience will know exactly what to do. For example, if you’re running a health and wellness supply store, your CTA can start with hook words like “buy,” “shop,” or “order”.
5. Post Consistently
Having a structured calendar or schedule for your business is a good practice. Make sure your posts follow a specific schedule to keep your audience engaged and let them see more of your business consistently. You might be doing it for social media contents, blogs, and print advertising and so on. This practice can also be applied when utilizing other features of Google My Business Posts.
Bonus Tip: Add a WOW factor in your Google My Business Posts
Google My Business Posts’ interface is pretty straight forward. But it doesn’t mean that you have to stay on the classic design and feels it provides. Get your creative team involved in publishing Google My Business Posts and get your target audience’s attention with that perfect graphic that represents your business. While the post doesn’t need to be all glitz and glamor, it’s crucial to make it presentable and easily remembered by the audience.
If you haven’t tried using Google My Business Posts, it’s high time to dive in and discover its features to reach more audience and create a solid online presence. Google may be rolling out simple to drastic changes in their products and programs, but, due to Google My Business Posts popularity and effectiveness, the chance for this feature to improve is as big as your business’ potential. Check out Google My Business Posts’ straightforward yet effective features and see how it can help you take your business to the next level.
