Local SEO Workshop: Setup & Optimize your Google My Business Listing

Presented by:

John Van Bockern

FrankScharnell

Presenters:

Needed to Start:● Business Name● Address● Phone Number(local only)● Email Address

o (preferably @yourdomain.com)

Optional (but highly suggested):● Hours of Operation● Company Logo/Picture of Company

This is our NAP

Questions to ask First

● Have You used any other phone numbers? ● Business names? ● Addresses?● Have you checked for duplicate listings?

o (search mapmaker and G+ with all previously used names, addresses and phone numbers)

Sign Up for Google My Business

Go to: http://www.google.com/business/

To make sure there are no duplicates search for your business using name and address, if you find your business claim it. If your business is not found, add it!

Considerations When Signing Up

1. Your business name must be accurate to your business. DO NOT KEYWORD STUFF!

2. Your street address will be very important to document and ensure is the most accurate address of your business. Changes can cause problems with rankings.

3. Use a local number, preferably the one you have at that location. (Using 800 or 888 numbers can affect verification and ranking)

4. Picking appropriate categories for your business is important but can be later amended.

5. THIS IS IMPORTANT: make sure your business is marked correctly as either a “service” business or a brick and mortar location.

Steps Following Sign Up

● Google will send you a pin # in a postcard to your business address to verify your location.

● Sometimes you can verify over the phone, but doing pin verification tells them your address is real.

● Upon inputting this pin # you will be active in the search results immediately. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL RANK IMMEDIATELY.

My Business Dashboard● From this dashboard you can

change and update your listing as an owner. You will see this after signing up.

● Fill out all details as completely as possible: categories, hours of operation, pictures and your most relevant local landing page.

My Business Dashboard Includes:● Analytic data ● Impressions ● AdWords Express ● G+ Sharing

What Can I Edit After Creation?Disclaimer: If you are editing business data this may require re-verification(pin #) depending on the information you are changing and how often it is being changed.

Can Change:● Website URL● Fax or alternate phone numbers● Hours of operation● Photos(these are not G+ yet)● Company Description

Shouldn’t Change(NAP):● Business Name● Address● Phone Number

Optimizing my Google+ PageAccessing your Google+ Page:

PhotosUse only high resolution, quality logos, pictures and cover photos. Preferably the right size.

Recommended Sizes-Logo: Must be a square(500px by 500px).Cover Photo: Google Recommended

- 1080px by 608pxMaximum Size

-2120px by 1192pxMinimum Size

-480px by 270px

Custom + URL -You can retrieve a unique and easy to remember URL for your Google+ pageEx: https://plus.google.com/+EthicalSEOConsultingGreenwoodVillage/

Business DescriptionMake sure to be descriptive and use links to refer landers to your website. Sales copy is also recommended because users will be interested in your services if landing.

ReviewsGET THEM! Reviews are important trust signals for other users and will help your listing have star rating appear. You might also notice review are show from around the web.Google Review Template

After Being Verified, What Next?

Local SEO resources & citations:● Moz Local● Niche Citation Sources

o Think where will potential customers be looking for your services?

● Building Citations Like an Agency● Local Search Ranking Factors● Yext Power Listings

Any Questions?