Google My Business (GMB) offers your business a unique way to connect with local customers through updates, promotions, and announcements. As a tool within Google My Business, GMB Posts allow business owners like you to share content directly on their profile, which appears in search results and Google Maps. If you’re looking to increase the local engagement of your business and attract more customers, here’s a guide to using GMB Posts as part of your local SEO strategy.
1. What are Google My Business Posts?
You may keep your target customers informed of news, promotions, events, and other pertinent content about your business by having Google My Business Posts on your GMB profile.
Types of GMB Posts:
- What’s New: You may share general updates or announcements with your target audience.
- Event: It allows you to promote upcoming events of your business with details like date, time, and description.
- Offer: Highlight special deals or discounts with expiration dates.
- Product: Showcase specific products or services, including photos and descriptions.
Why It Matters: GMB Posts is the answer if you want to improve your business’ visibility and attract more local customers as it enables you to showcase your business, share exciting news, and build a loyal following. And the best part? They’re an effective way to improve your local search engine ranking.
2. Why Use Google My Business Posts for Local SEO?
GMB Posts support your local SEO efforts in addition to giving you the opportunity to share relevant content with your target audience. Consistently publishing content tells Google that your business is relevant, active, and customer-focused, which can raise your position in local search results.
Benefits of GMB Posts for Local SEO:
- Increased Visibility: Posts appear on your GMB profile in Google Search and Maps, ensuring that local customers see your updates when searching for businesses in your area.
- Enhanced Engagement: Posts provide a way for users to engage with your business by clicking through to learn more, visit your website, or redeem offers.
- Timely Information: Sharing promotions, events, or product updates keeps your audience informed and encourages them to take action.
Why It Matters: GMB Posts can supercharge your local SEO efforts by enabling you to boost your online visibility and attract more local customers when you use it to share regular updates.
3. Creating Effective Google My Business Posts
You must ensure that your GMB posts are clear, relevant, and interesting if you achieve maximum outcomes. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
A. Use Clear, Compelling Language
You need to craft a post that can attract attention and deliver your message quickly – and you can do this by using concise language that encourages customers to take action, such as “Shop Now,” “Join Us,” or “Save Today.”
Tips for Writing Compelling Copy:
- Be Direct: Include key information right away to capture interest.
- Add a Call-to-Action (CTA): Guide customers on what to do next, whether it’s visiting your website, redeeming an offer, or attending an event.
- Keep It Brief: GMB Posts have a 1,500-character limit, but shorter posts (100-300 characters) are often more effective.
Why It Matters: You need to maintain clear and engaging language to make your posts more captivating so more customers will be interested in your products or services and eventually push them to take action.
B. Include High-Quality Images or Videos
You can attract the attention of your target audience and make your post stand out when you use visual content like product photos, event flyers, or promotional graphics to better convey your message and attract more views.
Image and Video Tips:
- Use High-Resolution Images: Make sure images are clear and professional-looking.
- Stay On-Brand: Choose visuals that represent your brand and align with your message.
- Avoid Excessive Text in Images: Google advises against using too much text on images, as it can reduce visibility.
Why It Matters: You can attract more potential customers and drive more traffic to your website when you use images or videos relevant to your content because such visuals help your post stand out in search results.
C. Select the Right Post Type for Your Message
You should pick the GMB Post type that best fits your message because each one has a unique function. Simply put, you need to choose the Event post type if you’re having an event to include all pertinent information, whereas an Offer post is ideal for exclusive offers or savings.
Examples of Post Types:
- What’s New: Share updates about your business, such as new hours or a recent award.
- Offer: Promote limited-time discounts to attract customers.
- Event: Announce an upcoming event, like a sale or in-store event, with date and location.
Why It Matters: Think of the post type as a signpost that guides your content to the right audience. You’re essentially making sure that your message reaches people who are most interested by choosing the right type.
4. Using Google My Business Posts to Build Engagement
GMB Posts also allows you to build stronger relationships with local customers in addition to provifing information. Here’s how to use posts to foster engagement and loyalty among your customers:
A. Share Exclusive Offers and Promotions
You may use promotions to gain your customers’ attention and encourage immediate action. GMB Post is your best buddy for this purpose, as it enables you to promote exclusive offers, seasonal discounts, or loyalty rewards, which creates a sense of urgency.
Offer Ideas:
- Seasonal Discounts: Promote holiday or end-of-season sales.
- First-Time Customer Deals: Attract new customers with a special offer.
- Loyalty Rewards: Encourage repeat visits with exclusive discounts for loyal customers.
Why It Matters: You’re encouraging your customers to choose business over your competitors when you offer them special deals and discounts. In effect, you’ll see higher engagement, foot traffic and online sales.
B. Highlight Events and Announcements
You can keep your target audience updated while also stimulating excitement around your business by promoting events on GMB like a grand opening, a sale, or a community event.
Event Ideas:
- Workshops and Classes: If you offer classes or training sessions, promote them with Event posts.
- Community Events: Highlight events you’re hosting or sponsoring in the community.
- Product Launches: Announce the arrival of new products or services.
Why It Matters: You can improve the visibility of your business within the community by sharing local events. You can also attract new customers to connect with your business, build brand loyalty, and strengthen your connection with local customers.
C. Feature New Products or Services
Use GMB Posts to expose your audience to any new products or services you’ve lately added. You need to emphasize the advantages and distinctive qualities of your offerings to spark curiosity and increase business traffic.
Product Promotion Tips:
- Describe the Product or Service: Provide a brief overview of what makes it special.
- Include Pricing or Special Offers: Highlight any introductory pricing or discounts.
- Use High-Quality Product Images: Showcase your new product with attractive visuals.
Why It Matters: You can keep your audience interested and informed about what your business has to offer by showcasing new products or services, which in turn, will increase number of visits and sales.
5. Monitor and Analyze Your GMB Post Performance
You may access key information like how your posts are performing in Google My Business. You can better understand what content resonates best with your audience and optimize future posts accordingly when you are able to monitor key metrics like post views, clicks, and engagement.
What to Track:
- Views: See how many times your post appeared in search results.
- Clicks: Track how often users clicked on your post to learn more or visit your website.
- Engagement Trends: Identify which types of posts generate the most interest and engagement.
Why It Matters: You can fine-tune your content to really resonate with your audience when you keep a close eye on how your posts perform. In effect, you’ll gain the attention of more local customers and boost your online visibility.
6. Best Practices for Maintaining a Consistent Posting Schedule
You must be consistent if you want your GMB Posts to deliver the results that you desire. Your local SEO may benefit from frequent updates, which demonstrate to Google and your audience that your business is engaged and active.
Tips for Consistent Posting:
- Post Weekly or Biweekly: You should have at least one new post each week if you want to keep your profile updated, which can attract the attention of customers that are actively searching on the internet.
- Plan Posts Around Events and Promotions: You should also consider scheduling posts in advance to align with special events, holidays, or seasonal promotions.
- Recycle Popular Content: If a promotion or announcement performs well, consider updating and reposting it periodically.
Why It Matters: You can keep your customers connected and informed with a consistent posting schedule. They’re more inclined to choose you over your competitors when you’re always there and easy to reach. As a bonus, you’ll benefit from a higher position in local search rankings and more potential customers.
Why Partnering with Local SEO Experts for GMB Management is Beneficial
GMB Posts can help you better engage with local customers in your area, but it can take time and experience to fully optimize and maintain your GMB profile. Don’t wory because you can always seek local SEO experts’ help and leverage their skills, resources, and knowledge for your local SEO. They can help you create engaging posts, track performance, and refine your strategy regularly to boost your business’ local visibility.
Final Thoughts
You, as a business owner, may leverage Google My Business Posts to connect with local customers near you and enhance your business’ visibility in search results. You can connect with nearby customers and encourage them to visit your business, regardless of whether through your website or physical store, by sharing updates, promotions, and product announcements.
Visit BillboardOnline.live if you want to explore more options and learn about our SEO and Digital Marketing services that can help your business grow. You can also check out our blogs on SEO and digital marketing strategies to gain more insights and guidance. Let us help you leverage Google My Business to reach new customers and grow your local presence!