[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” background_position=”left center” automatic_spacing_suppress_fill=”on” delay=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1647202851651{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}” effect=”fadeIn”][vc_column effect=”none”][ut_custom_shortcode][aioseo_breadcrumbs][/ut_custom_shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” background_position=”left center” automatic_spacing_suppress_fill=”on” delay=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1647203169652{background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}” effect=”fadeIn”][vc_column effect=”none”][ut_custom_heading tag=”h3″ align_tablet=”left” align_mobile=”center” font_source=”google” google_fonts=”font_family:Barlow%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” font_size=”font-size-unit=px&desktop_large=16&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”line-height-unit=%25&desktop_large=100&desktop_small=inherit&tablet=inherit&mobile=inherit” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=0.05&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” css=”.vc_custom_1646173008835{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]— The #1 ranking factor for local searches.[/ut_custom_heading][ut_page_title style=”global” align=”global” title_source=”custom” title_linebreak_mobile=”on” lead_linebreak_mobile=”on” font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” title_letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” title=”How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile”]The digital doorway to your business. How are you showing up?[/ut_page_title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Overview[/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]Your Google business profile is how you’re showing up to thousands of your customers online. The better you get using all the features of your business profile, the more business you will generate. It literally pays to optimize.

Thanks to the team at Moz and their extensive research, we are able to know what the most important local search ranking factors for local businesses. The following is a list of focal points to address generally based on highest priority first.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_animated_image image=”8626″ size=”custom” custom_width=”520″ custom_height=”294″ custom_crop=”off” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_radius=”5″ align=”center” align_tablet=”inherit” align_mobile=”center” link_type=”none” lightbox_size=”hd” link=”” lightbox_iframe=”” hide_image_title=”yes” hover=”no” caption_style=”” caption_content=”caption” custom_caption=”” custom_caption_small=”” caption_transform=”” caption_font_weight=”” caption_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_font_size=”” caption_line_height=”” caption_color=”” caption_background=”” caption_below=”no” caption_below_transform=”” caption_below_font_weight=”bold” caption_below_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_below_font_size=”” caption_below_line_height=”” caption_below_color=”” image_offset=”no” image_zoom=”yes” shadow=”no” shadow_canvas_color=”” shadow_color=”” revealfx=”off” revealfx_color=”” revealfx_direction=”lr” revealfx_delay=”0″ revealfx_duration=”750″ glitch_transparent=”off” glitch_effect=”none” glitch_effect_transparent=”none” permanent_glitch=”on” accent_1=”” accent_2=”” accent_3=”” rotation=”0″ rotation_tablet_change=”off” rotation_tablet=”0″ rotation_mobile_change=”off” rotation_mobile=”0″ effect=”” animation_duration=”” animate_once=”yes” animate_tablet=”false” animate_mobile=”false” delay=”false” delay_timer=”” class=”” cursor_skin=”inherit” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Choose the Right Primary and Secondary Category[/ut_custom_heading][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]In most cases this is a pretty straight forward process. Just select what you are. But There are a number of cases where it can get a bit confusing. In some cases Google allows a separate business listing businesses that have individual practitioners working in practice. Ie: law firm vs. lawyer vs divorce attorney.[/vc_column_text][ut_custom_heading tag=”h3″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]3 Tips To Help You Select The Right Categories[/ut_custom_heading][ut_fancy_list list_style_type=”circle” list_icon_text_space=”medium” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Be%20as%20specific%20as%20possible.%22%2C%22title_is_bold%22%3A%22false%22%2C%22title_extend%22%3A%22The%20further%20you%20drill%20down%2C%20the%20fewer%20competitors%20you%E2%80%99ll%20have.%22%2C%22title_extend_is_bold%22%3A%22false%22%2C%22is_link%22%3A%22false%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Select%20fewer%20categories%20if%20possible.%22%2C%22title_is_bold%22%3A%22false%22%2C%22title_extend%22%3A%22The%20more%20categories%20you%20select%2C%20the%20weaker%20the%20signal%20gets%20for%20each%20category.%20Think%20about%20your%20core%20business.%20Does%20adding%20pizza%20delivery%20make%20sense%20if%20it%E2%80%99ll%20soften%20your%20signal%20for%20pizza%20restaurant%3F%22%2C%22title_extend_is_bold%22%3A%22false%22%2C%22is_link%22%3A%22false%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Describe%20your%20business.%22%2C%22title_is_bold%22%3A%22false%22%2C%22title_extend%22%3A%22Not%20your%20services%20or%20amenities.%20A%20restaurant%20with%20a%20bar%20may%20not%20%20necessarily%20be%20categorized%20as%20a%20bar.%22%2C%22title_extend_is_bold%22%3A%22false%22%2C%22is_link%22%3A%22false%22%7D%5D”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][ut_animated_image image=”8628″ size=”full” custom_width=”500″ custom_height=”300″ custom_crop=”on” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_radius=”0″ align=”center” align_tablet=”inherit” align_mobile=”center” link_type=”none” lightbox_size=”hd” link=”” lightbox_iframe=”” hide_image_title=”yes” hover=”no” caption_style=”” caption_content=”caption” custom_caption=”” custom_caption_small=”” caption_transform=”” caption_font_weight=”” caption_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_font_size=”” caption_line_height=”” caption_color=”” caption_background=”” caption_below=”no” caption_below_transform=”” caption_below_font_weight=”bold” caption_below_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_below_font_size=”” caption_below_line_height=”” caption_below_color=”” image_offset=”no” image_zoom=”yes” shadow=”no” shadow_canvas_color=”” shadow_color=”” revealfx=”off” revealfx_color=”” revealfx_direction=”lr” revealfx_delay=”0″ revealfx_duration=”750″ glitch_transparent=”off” glitch_effect=”none” glitch_effect_transparent=”none” permanent_glitch=”on” accent_1=”” accent_2=”” accent_3=”” rotation=”0″ rotation_tablet_change=”off” rotation_tablet=”0″ rotation_mobile_change=”off” rotation_mobile=”0″ effect=”” animation_duration=”” animate_once=”yes” animate_tablet=”false” animate_mobile=”false” delay=”false” delay_timer=”” class=”” cursor_skin=”inherit” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]If however you still can’t decide on a category, check out this article on How to Choose the Best Google My Business Categories for Any Local Business.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Have Keywords In Business Name [/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]The more search words and phrases that your business profile name includes, the more relevant it will show to Google.

When a user searches for ‘thin crust pizza in phoenix’, a restaurant potentially named ‘Angelo’s Thin Crust Pizza in Phoenix’ would rank higher since the entire search phrase is in the title and Google interprets that as a strong signal for relevance. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_animated_image image=”8629″ size=”custom” custom_width=”520″ custom_height=”303″ custom_crop=”off” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_radius=”5″ align=”center” align_tablet=”inherit” align_mobile=”center” link_type=”none” lightbox_size=”hd” link=”” lightbox_iframe=”” hide_image_title=”yes” hover=”no” caption_style=”” caption_content=”caption” custom_caption=”” custom_caption_small=”” caption_transform=”” caption_font_weight=”” caption_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_font_size=”” caption_line_height=”” caption_color=”” caption_background=”” caption_below=”no” caption_below_transform=”” caption_below_font_weight=”bold” caption_below_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_below_font_size=”” caption_below_line_height=”” caption_below_color=”” image_offset=”no” image_zoom=”yes” shadow=”no” shadow_canvas_color=”” shadow_color=”” revealfx=”off” revealfx_color=”” revealfx_direction=”lr” revealfx_delay=”0″ revealfx_duration=”750″ glitch_transparent=”off” glitch_effect=”none” glitch_effect_transparent=”none” permanent_glitch=”on” accent_1=”” accent_2=”” accent_3=”” rotation=”0″ rotation_tablet_change=”off” rotation_tablet=”0″ rotation_mobile_change=”off” rotation_mobile=”0″ effect=”” animation_duration=”” animate_once=”yes” animate_tablet=”false” animate_mobile=”false” delay=”false” delay_timer=”” class=”” cursor_skin=”inherit” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Manage and Engage With Reviews[/ut_custom_heading][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The overall number of Google reviews and overall review score are big factors in local search rankings.  More reviews and positive ratings can improve your business’ local ranking. Incentivize customers to scan a QR code which activates a chatbot that will ask them about their experience.  This is a way to get in front of negative reviews before they are posted online somewhere. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]You can pay someone a couple hundred dollars to make a chatbot for you. These are pretty commonly done on sites like Many Chat. There are also out of the box solutions like Ovation which costs about $100/mo  that can do this for you. Ovation comes with a more robust set of features.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Upload Informative Photos & Videos[/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]Google has come out and reported that business listings with photos and videos receive 42% more requests for driving directions to their  restaurants and 35% more clicks to their websites compared to businesses with poor or no media present.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Utilize Posts To Share Current Information[/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]A great way to connect with customers to announce offers, events, new products and services. Business profiles who are utilizing posts get more clicks for a number of reasons. It’s a way to provide fresh content which customers find useful and in turn demonstrates both prominence and relevance to Google.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Enter Your Menu and Service Items[/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]Not just a link to your menu on your website.  Google allows you to enter your menu items into your Google business profile natively. When you do this, it helps Google understand what you offer and match you with relevant searches.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Provide Detailed Business Information[/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]The core bits of information people look for are your name, address, phone, website, hours, menu and directions. Don’t forget any additional information that can be important like your Covid protocols.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_custom_heading tag=”h2″ font_size=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” line_height=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global” letter_spacing=”desktop_large=global&desktop_small=global&tablet=global&mobile=global”]Build Out Your Google Business Website[/ut_custom_heading][vc_column_text]Another feature from Google that gives you the ability to communicate with your searchers. Google prefers that it’s searchers stay on Google versus click over to your website. So the more features you utilize that cause searchers to find what they want without clicking off page, the better signal you send to Google[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][ut_animated_image image=”8630″ size=”custom” custom_width=”520″ custom_height=”275″ custom_crop=”off” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_radius=”5″ align=”center” align_tablet=”inherit” align_mobile=”center” link_type=”none” lightbox_size=”hd” link=”” lightbox_iframe=”” hide_image_title=”yes” hover=”no” caption_style=”” caption_content=”caption” custom_caption=”” custom_caption_small=”” caption_transform=”” caption_font_weight=”” caption_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_font_size=”” caption_line_height=”” caption_color=”” caption_background=”” caption_below=”no” caption_below_transform=”” caption_below_font_weight=”bold” caption_below_letter_spacing=”0″ caption_below_font_size=”” caption_below_line_height=”” caption_below_color=”” image_offset=”no” image_zoom=”yes” shadow=”no” shadow_canvas_color=”” shadow_color=”” revealfx=”off” revealfx_color=”” revealfx_direction=”lr” revealfx_delay=”0″ revealfx_duration=”750″ glitch_transparent=”off” glitch_effect=”none” glitch_effect_transparent=”none” permanent_glitch=”on” accent_1=”” accent_2=”” accent_3=”” rotation=”0″ rotation_tablet_change=”off” rotation_tablet=”0″ rotation_mobile_change=”off” rotation_mobile=”0″ effect=”” animation_duration=”” animate_once=”yes” animate_tablet=”false” animate_mobile=”false” delay=”false” delay_timer=”” class=”” cursor_skin=”inherit” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]