Category: Search Engine Optimization

How To Use Google My Business To Drive Your Local Business in 2018

Posted on April 30, 2018 by - Search Engine Optimization

In the digital era, the value of search engines in our decision-making process has become undeniable. In fact, a 2016 survey showed that search engines have become our most trusted online source for finding information. Compared to the other marketing channels, local searches have a higher chance of generating in-store visits and offline sales. However, the value of having a strong business profile listed on a search engine results page (SERP) is more underestimated than many realize.

local searches status

Maintaining a strong business profile on Google, a.k.a a Google My Business (GMB) page can add value to your local marketing efforts by generating foot traffic and driving online traffic to your website, and it costs you nothing but your time.

Nexera Law-GMB

One question you might be wondering is: how do I optimize my listing locally? Here are some tips to help you make the most of your GMB page:

Stay Fresh

Whether you are new to Google My Business or not, treat it as your digital real estate on Google. Keep it as fresh and welcoming as your home by updating your business information on a regular basis. This should include:

  • Business name, address, phone number (NAP)
  • Website URL
  • Appointment URL
  • Business hours
  • Categories
  • Business logo
  • Profile photo
  • Property photos
  • Virtual Tour (if applicable)

(Google My Business Community)

If your business has over ten locations, no worries! Through bulk verification, you can manage all of your listings quickly, although it does require managing a spreadsheet.

While you are setting things up, make sure all the content has as much detail as possible, now is not the time for shortcuts. This is important because in order to serve your business, Google needs to understand your business.

Be Social

This newly released feature allows businesses to get social with the public directly on Google’s search result page and it is no doubt a huge benefit for startups and small brands to get wider exposure online.

business listing on Google

(posts can be seen in Google search result page and Maps, both on desktop and mobile)

Mimicking how you would execute your social media posts on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, you can decide what and when to post on this platform. Although posts will only be “live” for 7 days and used for sharing purposes only (no commenting or likes), here are some highlights:

  • Posts will show on the Google search results page and Google Maps, but also on desktop and mobile device.   
  • You are not limited to plain messages, you can also post events, creative images, new promotions, announcements, etc,.
  • You can choose to include a call-to-action button in your post, like “order online”, “learn more” “sign up”, or “get offer”. Treat this opportunity as an extension of your digital ads.

This is a breakthrough for online business listings – brands and businesses are finally able to start the conversation with users on Google rather than passively waiting for someone to show up at the door or send them a message.

Nurture Customer Relationships

Aside from business listings, using GMB for customer service can elevate your local search ranking and drive your customer retention to the next level.

– Customer Reviews

People leave reviews on Google to share their positive/negative experiences not only with the business but with future customers too! In fact, 90% of today’s consumers rely on these reviews to make final decisions. So, having a communication strategy for your Google reviews helps you to capitalize on positive customer experiences, and provides an opportunity for outreach in case a customer had a less than ideal experience. Over time, your efforts spent on GMB help to increase your brand visibility and boost local traffic from Google.

If you need more reviews, here is a BONUS TIP: you can send people a link connected directly to your Google business review page. We recommend issuing a follow-up email to guests and clients, asking them to kindly leave a business review via their Google account after their experience with your business.

GMB-ask-for-review

To take this to the next level, you can generate a shortened URL or QR code through Google URL Shortener. Feel free to display it on your social media profiles, in your newsletter, on your receipt or your printed menu card wherever customers are likely to see and leave a review. The best part of doing this is that you can track how many people end up clicking your link!

shorten GMB links– Q&A

Other than leaving a review, people can also leave a question directly on your GMB page. If questions are being answered, users can upvote answers that are helpful to them.

Again, like customer reviews, if you have a bustling Q&A section, there is a higher chance of ranking for your key search terms on Google, and that is a big deal!

– Direct Messaging

Direct messaging is another field for you to exceed your customer expectations: you can set up a phone number on your GMB page for customers to text you. You can manage these messages from the device of your choosing. You can also create a welcome message (exactly how you would for your Facebook page). Once you download Google’s messaging app Allo, you can chat with your customers anytime, anywhere.

GMB_Direct message feature– Monthly Analytics

Whether you are doing the GMB page on your own, or someone is managing it on your behalf, all effort will be measured and a visually presented in a monthly report delivered straight to your inbox.

In the report, ‘insights’ will show you how customers interact with your listing across all devices, including:

  • How customers find your listing
  • Where customers find you on Google
  • Customer actions
  • Direction requests
  • Phone calls
  • Photos

We highly recommend our partners utilize this report, as it is helpful for understanding your customer journey and behaviour like:

  • What are the top search terms leading customers to your business listing?
  • Where do they find your business listing? On Google Map or on Google search result page?
  • Which location are they looking for your services? For how many times?
  • How many customers have called you during a certain period?
  • Which photo gets the most attention?

Infusing these insights into your digital marketing strategy can mean the difference between a less than impressive website performance and clicks that consistently convert.

Afterall…

If you’re currently looking for a way to get more support from your local market, as most businesses are, Google My Business is a great place to start. Just remember – consistency is key. If you’re going to do it, do it regularly, strategically, and always referencing your analytics and insights.

In the digital age, there’s more to running a long lasting business than having an incredible location or product. If you stuck with your marketing strategy, we are here for you.

Contact Web Toaster for your free online presence audit today!

 

Dynamic Content: Making Big Data Work For Your Website

Posted on February 22, 2017 by - Search Engine Optimization, Tips & Tricks

website_data_tips

Have you heard of dynamic website content? This evolving technology is about revolutionizing the online experience for users, leading to higher conversions for businesses! Dynamic content generation means that website content changes for each user, resulting in a personalized website experience. This is in contrast to static content that is consistent for every user, which is how websites have historically functioned.

An effective use of dynamic content is the targeted ads we see daily on Google, Facebook, and many websites. Targeted ads focus on specific traits of the consumer to ensure that what gets advertised is in some way relevant to the individual viewing it. The use of targeted ads leads to better utilization of ad budgets since ad space isn’t being wasted displaying products to consumers who have no interest in them in the first place.

Website visitors quickly bounce if they don’t see what they are looking for within a matter of seconds. For larger sites or companies with large and very diversified product categories, this can be a difficult challenge due to the sheer amount of content they have to manage. Tailoring content to a user’s specific needs by directing them immediately to the information they are searching for will translate to a larger customer base with increased sales opportunities and lower bounce rates.

There are 3 ways websites achieve dynamic content:

  1. On-Site Triggers: You are able to define key triggers which launch website pop-ups, change header graphics, or even change your site navigation based on the time or user’s on-site behaviour, such as what pages they click or forms they fill out.
  2. Explicitly Available Data: Your website experience can begin with an optional form which asks users key information in order to tailor the site experience towards them. You may want to ask them what industry they work in, what product or service they desire, or questions related to their personal taste. Upon completing the form your site navigation may change, they may receive unique offers, or you can direct them to a specific page.
  3. Anonymous Available Data: Newer dynamic content providers are offering personalization based on anonymous data collected from the user’s I.P. address, mobile device, or collected from website cookies. Though the idea of providing personalized content to users on their first visit sounds tempting, this technology is still in it infancy stage, with information often being inaccurate.

Personalization is achieved through collecting and reviewing the data users generate while accessing the internet. Users’ digital trails grow as they access websites and over time provides enough information to fill in the blanks needed to deliver personalized content. Examples of this information being collected include the following:

  • Location (IP address geo-location, or GPS tracking from mobile devices)
  • Device type, model, and brand.
  • Web browser
  • Search terms which directed users to a website
  • Pages visited, when, and for how long
  • On-site purchase history
  • Public social network profile

There are many great ways to utilize dynamic content to improve conversion. Some examples include the following:

  • Showing a user the inventory stock of a product by using their location to determine the closest retail store
  • Changing the language based on the user’s location.
  • Changing the default displayed currency based on the user’s location.
  • Using search words to filter out products being listed.
  • Show products related to what users are currently viewing.
  • Targeted promotions, and call-to-actions.
  • Email newsletters with content customized to user interests.

It is important to keep in mind that there are challenges with implementing dynamic content on a website. For starters, dynamic content cannot be cached by a web browser. This can have a negative impact on site speed since data must be generated and retrieved from a web server each time a page is viewed. Another challenge is dealing with privacy concerns. Dynamic content can trigger fears about how personal information is being used by a business. Users will want to know what data is being collected, how it is being used by the business and who the business is sharing this data with. These concerns can be addressed with a privacy policy page explaining the business’ intentions in simple terms.

Dynamically generated personalized content is a great way to increase website conversion, and gain a competitive edge in your industry. However, you must be wary of the limitations and risks involved with this technology. Let’s talk about how dynamic personalization can help your business achieve its goals, and if it is the right solution for you.