Leveraging Google Business Profiles for Local SEO Success

Are you looking for an easy and effective way to boost your local search engine results? If so, creating and optimizing Google Business Profiles can make a huge difference. With an estimated 95 percent of online searches being performed on Google, having an up-to-date presence is key for practice owners and admins wanting to expand their visibility.

From providing useful contact information, such as address and business hours, to helping customers leave reviews, there are many benefits to setting up this profile. Read on as we explore how you can leverage the power of Google Business Profiles to boost local search results and generate more qualified leads!

What is a Google Business Profile? 

A Google business profile essentially functions as an online directory listing for your practice. When someone searches for your practice on Google, they will see not only your website but also information about your practice, such as its location, hours, contact info, reviews, and more. This allows potential patients to find all the information they need about your practice without leaving the search results page. It also gives them the confidence that they are looking at accurate and reliable information since it comes directly from Google. 

Why Local SEO is Important

Having an up-to-date Google Business Profile has several benefits, which include:

• It helps your practice stand out from competitors: Local SEO ensures that potential patients in the local area can find your business more easily and quickly.
• It increases visibility when people search for services you offer: When people search for certain services, such as “dentist near me” or “orthodontist in my city,” they will see your Google Business Profile before any other website.
• It boosts trust and credibility: Seeing an up-to-date Google profile with positive reviews gives potential patients a confidence boost to know they are looking at an established practice.
• It drives traffic to your website: Links on the profile page direct visitors to your website, social media profiles, and more.
• It boosts your local rankings: Having an optimized Google Business Profile helps you rank higher in local search engine results pages (SERPs).

How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile

Setting up a Google Business profile is relatively straightforward and can be done in just a few steps. Here’s what you need to do:

• Go to google.com/business and sign into your Gmail account
• Enter your business name and address, then click “Next”
• Verify that the information listed is correct, then confirm it by clicking “Verify now”
• Follow the instructions for verifying your business – this usually involves a postcard with a code sent to your practice address
• Once verified, you can add more information about your business, including descriptions, photos, and contact details

How can GBP Be Optimized for SEO?

Google Business Profiles can be optimized for SEO to ensure that potential patients see your profile when searching for services you offer in the local area. There are a few simple steps you can take:

• Include relevant keywords in your description: For example, if you’re an orthodontist, include words like “orthodontics” and “braces.” This will help more people find your listing when they search for related terms.
• Use images and videos: Visual content helps draw more attention to your profile and makes it more engaging to visitors.
• Encourage customers to leave reviews: Positive customer reviews directly impact local SEO rankings, so be sure to encourage customers to leave reviews on your profile page.
• Share content: Sharing content related to your practice on the profile page will help keep it up-to-date and boost your local SEO rankings.

Tips for Local SEO on Google Business Profiles

In addition to setting up the profile and optimizing it for SEO, there are a few other tips you can use to get the most out of your Google Business Profile:

• Respond quickly to customer queries: This shows potential patients that you’re attentive and responsive when they leave reviews or make inquiries on your page.
• Keep information accurate and up-to-date: Double-check all the information listed in your profile to ensure that it’s correct. This will help build trust with potential patients and make them more likely to choose you over a competitor.
• Create offers and promotions: Offers such as discounts or special deals can encourage more people to visit your practice.
• Take advantage of free tools: Tools such as Google Ads and Google My Business Insights can help you track your profile’s performance and adjust accordingly.

 

Boost Your Practice’s Visibility!

Having a Google Business Profile is an invaluable tool for your business to ensure customers can find you in local search results. It helps potential customers find your business quickly and easily, provides access to important business information, and increases user engagement with all the additional features of Google Business Profiles. By fully utilizing everything included in this profile and continually updating relevant content, you can boost local search rankings and give your business maximum visibility in the digital marketplace. 

With our help at Valet Health,  we can guide you through this process to ensure you’re presented with the best possible opportunities for maximizing visibility on local search engines. Contact us today with questions about boosting local search rankings with Google Business Profiles!