GMB audit Tools provide extra functions compared to the basic Google Business Profile dashboard. Each feature is made to give you more control over your local SEO tasks. In this blog, you will explore how the GMB audit tool can help you to grow your business.

Understand Google My Business Tool

Google My Business management tools are basically third-party tools that help your business with its local SEO efforts. The main job of GMB audit Tools is to assist you in optimizing your Google Business Profile listing properly.

Before, it was called Google My Business, or GMB. Now, it’s known as Google Business Profile (GBP), which allows you to handle the information your customers see on Google Search and Google Maps.

The Impact of GMB Audit Tools on Local Visibility and Traffic

Want more customers to find your business online? Google Business Profile management tools can help. These tools make it easier to improve your search ranking for local searches, which means more people will see your business listing on Google Maps and Search.

Not only that, but these tools can also save you time.  Imagine being able to schedule photos and updates for your Google Business Profile in advance, instead of having to do it every day. This consistency can help your business stand out and attract more customers.

Local Optimization Audit

When it comes to “How To Perform a Google Business Profile Audit,” a few things matter most: relevance, distance, and prominence. Google’s fancy algorithms decide which businesses are most relevant to your search, even if they’re not the closest ones. This can sometimes be frustrating for businesses.

Improving the Google Business Profile (GBP) listing can help them appear higher in search results and encourage more people to take action.

Here’s how you can audit your Business’s local listings to make sure they are in top shape:

1. Relevance:

Make sure all the details about your business are complete and accurate. This helps Google match the profile with relevant searches.

2. Distance:

If someone doesn’t mention a specific location in their search, Google figures out the distance based on what it knows. While you can’t control this much, it’s smart to keep your address and location keywords updated in all local listings.

3. Prominence:

This is all about how well-known your business is. It’s based on stuff like links, articles, and directories all over the web. Google also looks at the number and rating of reviews. The more positive reviews your client gets, the higher they’ll rank in local searches. Make sure to keep an eye on their online reputation with detailed review reports.

Remember, where you show up in web search results also matters, so it’s a good idea to follow SEO best practices and maybe even do a technical audit of your site.

Make Sure Your Business Info is Consistent Online

Imagine you’re looking for a Digital Marketing Agency, but the phone number is different on every website you find. Confusing, right? That’s what can happen if your business information is different everywhere online. Here’s how to fix it:

Match the Info:  Make sure your Business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are the same on every website and listing, like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, and Apple Maps. This helps Google trust the information and show your client’s business in the right searches.

Find Duplicates: Sometimes, there might be duplicate listings for your business on Google Maps. This can confuse Google and hide the best listing with the most reviews. Search for your business on Maps and see if there are extras.

Bonus Tip: Even mentions of your business without a link (like articles or news mentions) can help them rank higher.

Boost Your Client’s Local Business with Powerful Insights

Want to give your business a winning edge in local searches? W3era can help.

See Everything in One Place:

Get clear reports and dashboards that show how customers find your business online. See things like:

• Who finds you directly vs. browsing search results
• How many people see you on Maps vs. regular search
• How your performance changes over time

Track What Matters:

Automatically monitor key factors impacting your Business’s success, including:

• Customer reviews and ratings on Google
• How many calls you get from potential customers
• The ranking for important keywords on Google Maps and local search results

The Coolest Part? Tracking Keyword Ranking Daily.

See exactly how your Business ranking changes every day, helping you stay ahead of the competition and boost your organic traffic. With w3era, you can give your businesses insights from Local SEO audit and thrive in local search.

Conclusion

Adding keywords to your Google My Business (GMB) listing isn’t something you do just once and forget about. People’s interests change over time, and so does your business. That means your profile needs to keep up with those changes with the help of GMB audit Tools. With over 153 million users, it’s a massive platform. Plus, it gives you insights into what your customers are into and lets you know when people are searching for you. It’s a powerful marketing tool for any smart business owner, and the best part is, it’s totally free. At w3era, we make sure your profile stays relevant, our idea is to include profile optimization in your overall digital marketing strategy.

The key to getting noticed is having a great Google Business Profile, which used to be called Google My Business. This is like the foundation for being found online, even if you already have a website. But just like your website, it needs some work and attention every now and then. This Google My Business Checklist will help you keep your Google Business Profile shining bright for the next year.

Make your Google My Business Profile shine

To get the most out of your Google Business Profile, fill it up with all the essential information about your business. This includes things like your address, phone number, website (if you have one), and your opening hours.

But that’s not all! Tell people what you do by clearly describing your business and the products or services you offer. Add some high-quality photos that showcase your business to make your profile stand out. Remember, the more details you add, the better.

Check out our Google My Business Profile 2024 Checklist

It’s designed to keep your profile looking sharp and updated. Plus, it’ll show you how to make the most of all the great features available and boost your business visibility.

First up, optimizing your business info! This is like the front door of your business online. When people find your profile, they should get a good idea of what you’re all about. So, our  Google Business Profile Management Services help you ensure all the important details are spot on. That way, your business shines bright and is easy for people to find.

• NAP Consistency

Making sure your business info is consistent is super important. That means keeping the same Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) everywhere online. Take a quick look now to make sure everything matches up. This helps your local SEO and makes it easier for customers to find you without confusion.

• Business Category

Next up, let’s talk about your business category. It’s key to pick the right main and extra categories for your business. People usually search for what they need, not always by business name. So, having the right categories helps them find you. Try to keep it simple, though. Focus on what your business is really about. You can even use a handy tool like GMBspy to see what categories your competitors use.

• Description

It’s super important to ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are the same everywhere online, like on your website, social media, and other listings. This helps search engines, and customers find you easily. Take time now to double-check that everything matches so you can get all the customers and distinguish them with the correct information.

• Accessibility Information

Choosing the correct categories for your business while using Google my business listing is also crucial. People often search for businesses by what they do, not their name, so pick the categories that best describe your products or services. There are tons of categories to choose from, but try to pick a few that fit your business and avoid listing too many. You can even check what categories your competitors use with a handy tool called GMBSpy Chrome extension.

Setting up your Google My Business profile: A step-by-step guide

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Sign in to Google My Business: Go to the Google My Business website and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you can make a free account.

2. Add your business name and category: Once you’re signed in, type in your business name and pick a category that fits your business best. This helps Google understand what you do and helps customers find you.

3. Enter your location on the map: Put in your business address and adjust the map to show exactly where you are. This helps customers find you on Google Maps.

4. Choose your service area: If you go to your customers, let them know where you’ll go. This helps customers know if you can help them where they are.

5. Fill in your contact info: Give your phone number, email, and website so customers can get in touch. Make sure it’s all correct.

6. Verify your business: Google will check to ensure you’re where you say you are. They’ll send a code to your address or phone. Put in the code when you get it.

7. Customize your profile: Once Google knows you’re legit, make your profile awesome! Add photos, videos, info about what you sell or do, and even customer reviews. The more you share, the better chance customers will find you.

You’ll have a great Business profile by following these Google My Business Checklist. Keep your info updated and respond to reviews to build a good reputation.

Conclusion

Keeping your Google Business Profile up-to-date is a smart way to stay ahead of the competition, and it’s totally free. Just make sure all your business info is filled out, and remember to reply to reviews and share news and events. Our Digital Marketing Agency uses these tips to help to boost your visibility in local searches and bring in more potential customers. These tips can transform your profile from plain to eye-catching. It’ll attract clients, spark more engagement, and help your business grow locally. Remember, it’s not a one-time thing. Keep interacting and tweaking your profile regularly.

Need help with Google My Business Optimization? Reach out to our experts at w3era for a free consultation.

Understanding Google Business Profile (Previously known as Google My Business)

Google Business Profile (GBP) is a tool that gives you the power to shape how your business is presented on Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. By leveraging this tool, you can easily connect with your customers, publish real-time business updates, showcase your products or services, and much more.

Why Google My Business is Vital for Your Business Growth?

Maintaining a Google Business Profile has three key benefits that can help you grow your business.

Boosting your visibility on Google

To increase your visibility on Google, you may have noticed the “local pack” or “map pack” at the top of search engine results when searching for a business. It displays a map and a list of businesses related to your search. The local pack is triggered by location-specific queries, such as “restaurants near me” or search terms that indicate a specific location. It displays Google Maps results and relevant business information.

Businesses with well-optimized Google Business Profiles are likelier to appear in these local pack results. Mobile searches containing phrases like “where to buy” and “near me” have grown tremendously recently. These are known as “discovery searches,” where users search for a particular category rather than a specific brand.

For example, if a user searches for your business with a term like “SEO Company in Jaipur,” your business is more likely to show up as a location-based result if your Business Profile is well-optimized.

Building trust with customer reviews

Customer reviews are crucial to building credibility for your business online. Around 98% of users read online reviews before purchasing or visiting a local business.

When you add a business to Google Maps, the star rating next to your business name (ranging from 1 to 5) reflects your overall customer reviews. The more positive reviews you will receive, the higher your star rating will be, which can attract more potential customers to your business.

Google Business Profile Reviews offer valuable feedback about your business and can provide insights into areas where you can improve. When you respond to reviews, it can help foster a sense of trust with your customers. According to Google, having a mix of positive and negative reviews can be considered more credible and trustworthy. By responding to all types of reviews, you can develop a sense of feeling among your customers that you care for them and are committed to delivering high-quality service. This can help build credibility with both your current and future customers.

For instance, if the customers like SEO services from a reputable company, they will write positive feedback about the company. This will help in building trust with the customers.

Sharing critical business information with your target audience

Your Google Business Profile allows you to share important information with your customers, such as your business hours, contact information, and list of services.

In addition to this, you can also update your customers about any temporary changes to your business. For example, you can list holiday hours or indicate if your business is temporarily closed or fully reopened. This can help keep your customers informed and avoid any confusion or frustration.

Now that you have understood the benefits or importance of a Google Business Profile, a question arises: how to create a Google page for business free?

How to Create a Google Business Profile from the Beginning

Want to see your Google My Business Listings? We can help you create or promote Google local listing for your business.

Suppose you are new to your business and want to set up your business profile on Google. In that case, W3Era is your perfect choice as we create your Google Business Profile and optimize it for better business visibility. Here is the step-by-step guide to creating a Google Business Profile from scratch.

Step 1: Add Your Business to Google Maps

The first step to creating your Google Business Profile is to add your business to Google Maps. To do this, you can navigate to Google Maps and open the menu by clicking the toggle button on the top left corner of the page. An option “Add your business” will be visible on the Menu list.

Step 2: Set up your Business Account

The next step is to create your Google business account. If your business account has already been created, you can sign in to Google My Business. However, on the contrary, if your account has not been created, then a new account needs to be created by following some steps.

Clicking on the “Create account” button and selecting “To manage my business” from the drop-down menu allows you to create a new account specifically for your business.

The next step is to fill out your personal information, such as your name and preferred username, and click the “Next” button. Google will then ask you to verify your identity with a phone number. After completing this step, you will be asked for more details before being directed to the terms and conditions page. After reading the terms and conditions, click the “Agree” button to set up your Google business account.

Step 3: Fill Out the Name

You must fill out your business name to set up your Google Business Profile. Then Google will display a list of existing businesses in its database. When you see your business on the list, you must learn how to claim it. However, if your business does not appear on the list, you need to write your business name as it is. If you add unnecessary keywords to your business name, this may result in the suspension of your account. As a result, your account will not be visible on Google’s search engine.

Step 4: Choose your Business Type

In this section, you will see three options that apply to your business. All three options are described in detail below.

• If you have an “Online Retail” business

You can select on “Online Retail” option if your customers can purchase your products through your website. After selecting your business type, select the “Next” button.

• If you have a “Local Store” business

You can click on the “Local Store” option enabling customers to visit your business physically, and then click on the “Next” button.

• If you have a “Service Business.”

You can choose “Service Business” if you visit customers and then serve your services to them. Then, click the “Next” option to proceed to the next step.

Step 5: If you select an “Online Retail” business

If you have selected this option, then you will be directed to the next sections that are listed below:

• You need to enter your website address. This section is optional. You can skip this section, enter your website address, and click the “Next” button.
• After clicking the “Next” button, enter your business category and select the “Next” button.
• If your business has a physical address, you can add it to your Business Profile and provide your accurate address for the convenience of your customers who want to reach your business. Your address will be visible to searchers if you get a listing on Google Maps.
• After clicking the “Next” button, Google will ask, “Is this your business?”. You need to select your business from the list, and if your business is not listed on the list, then you need to select the” None of these” option and click on the “Next” button.

Step 6: If you click on the “Local Store” business

If you selected this option, you need to fill out some information as mentioned below.

• After clicking the “Next” button, enter your business category and select the “Next” button.
• If your business has a physical address, you can add it to your Business Profile and provide your accurate address for the convenience of your customers who want to reach your business. Your address will be visible to searchers if you get a listing on Google Maps.
• After clicking the “Next” button, Google will ask, “Is this your business?”. You need to select your business from the list, and if your business is not listed on the list, then you need to select the” None of these” option and click on the “Next” button.

Step 7: If you click on “Service Business”

If you selected this option, you need to fill out some information as described below.

• You will be directed to the next section, where you need to enter your business category.
• After entering your business category and clicking the “Next” button, Google asks, “Where do you serve your customers?”. This section is optional, where you can add areas informing customers about the locations where your business is providing deliveries or office and home visits and then click the “Next” button. If you have skipped this section, you must enter the region where your business is located.

Before moving on to the next section, if you still have doubts regarding the business type, you can check out our video for a more comprehensive guide.

Step 8: Where are you located?

In this step, you can drag and zoom the map and spot the exact location where your business is situated. Then, click on the “Next” button.

Step 9: Add Your Contact Information

After choosing your business location, you can add your phone number to be visible on your business profile. Your contact information is crucial, as searchers will use it to get in touch with you. Due to this, you need to ensure that the information or data you provide is accurate and up-to-date. However, this section is optional.

Step 10: Receive Updates and Recommendations

After creating your Google listing for free, Google will ask if you want to receive updates and recommendations. If you opt-in for the latest updates, you will remain informed about the latest practices from Google.

Step 11: Verify Your Free Business Listing on Google

This step is imperative as verifying your free business listing on Google makes your Business Profile searchable. You can verify your business listing by phone, which Google will call or text you with a verification code. After verifying your contact number, you will be directed to the next section, “Customize Profile”.

Step 12: Customize Profile

In this section, you could add additional information about your business to create a customized profile for your business.

• Business Hours
• Accept Messages on Google
• Business Description
• Add photos of your business
• Get a customized domain name for your website

After verifying your contact information on the phone, your business details will be visible to your esteemed customers.

By following the steps mentioned above, our expert professionals will create an appealing and accurate Google Business Profile for your business to be listed on Google. This helps in the growth of your business through improved online presence.

 Avoid 5 Mistakes That Will Suspend Your Google Business Profile

Google’s business profile is an effective marketing channel that will help enhance the local search visibility of online businesses on Google’s local business listing. When you run a local business, you need to leverage the power of your business profile with the help of Google My Business Optimization services. If you plan to create a Google business profile, then W3Era is the leading provider in creating your business profile on Google.

If your business relies on your Google Business Page or Profile to attract customers, then careful consideration must be taken to set up a free business page on Google. There are 5 costly mistakes that every digital marketing agency needs to avoid to protect Google’s business profile.

Your Google Business Profile Might be in Danger

Identifying the common mistake you have made while setting up your Google business profile, you can find the answer to the question, “Why was my Google business profile suspended?”

• Address Violations

Google has mentioned which addresses are being used by businesses to create business profiles on Google. If you violate these rules, this can lead to the suspension of your Google business profile. All the addresses like P.O. boxes, UPS boxes, and virtual office or co-working space addresses come under the address violations rule and are generally not allowed unless a co-working space meets certain criteria. It is imperative to abide by these guidelines to prevent your business profile from being suspended.

One common address violation rule is using a home address that does not have permanent signage or a physical location for customers to visit. Service-based businesses that operate from home but visit customers for work are not allowed to list their addresses on their Google business profiles. This is a common mistake many business owners make, and violating this rule can lead to suspension.

• Editing your business profile

Editing critical information on your Google Business Profile, such as your business name, address, phone number, or categories, can result in suspension. Google categorizes such changes in Google’s business profile to suspend any suspicious activity and may flag them for review. Google has kept a close eye on profiles for suspicious activity and may impose penalties for violating their guidelines, including suspension. To avoid any issues, you must ensure that any changes you make to your profile comply with Google’s guidelines. Regularly reviewing and updating your profile with accurate and relevant information can boost your business’s visibility and credibility on Google.

• Adding unnecessary keywords to your profile

Adding extra keywords to your Google Business Profile’s name, known as keyword stuffing, can lead to its suspension on Google. This occurs when businesses attempt to manipulate their search ranking by adding irrelevant keywords to their business name. Google strictly prohibits this tactic and considers it a violation of its guidelines. To avoid suspension, businesses should use their name in their Google business profile. While keyword stuffing may provide short-term gains, it can damage a business’s reputation in the long run and make it challenging to recover from a suspension.

• The same phone number or address used by two businesses

Sharing the same phone number or address between two businesses can suspend your Google Business Profile. However, this rule excludes office buildings, malls, or car dealerships with separate service and car repair businesses. The guideline primarily aims to prevent home-based businesses from creating multiple profiles at the same address or a single business from creating more than one profile at the exact location. Ensuring each business has a distinct phone number and address is crucial to avoid suspension.

• Violations reported by the public to Google

Your Google Business Profile can be suspended if someone reports a violation to Google. The “Suggest an Edit” link on Google Business Profiles allows anyone to suggest changes to fix any violations; if these are true, it can lead to the suspension of your profile. Due to this, you need to ensure that your profile follows all guidelines to avoid getting reported and potentially suspended.

Conclusion

W3Era offers our esteemed customers the best Google business profile management services and helps them reach the maximum customer base in the market. Our expert professionals can set up a Google business profile keeping in mind all the guidelines of Google, and boost the online presence of your business. This marks Google’s business profile to online firms active and visible to potential customers, ensuring local businesses’ growth and success.

When your Google Business Profile has been created, it does not rank on top of the SERPs. To become visible in the top position, you will require affordable SEO services from the leading digital marketing company, W3Era. In addition to this, you will also need web development and PPC services to optimize your website for better visibility.

Google My Business Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google My Business free?

Yes, Google My Business is an entirely free tool offered by Google that allows you to manage your online presence across Google’s platforms, including Google Search and Google Maps.

How do I access my Google Business Profile?

To access Google Business Profile, you must create an account. You can do this by visiting the Google My Business website and following the prompts to create a new account or sign in with your existing Google account.

Why is Google My Business going away?

Currently, there are no plans for Google Business to go away. The platform has become increasingly important for small businesses to manage their online presence and drive more traffic and sales.

Is Google My Business worth it?

Absolutely! It is a powerful tool that can help you increase your online visibility, connect with potential customers, and drive more traffic and sales to your website or physical location.

How do I get my business on Google?

You must create a Google Business account and verify your business information to get your business on Google. This involves submitting your business name, address, phone number, and other relevant details and verifying your business ownership through a verification process. Once your business is verified, it will appear in Google Search and Maps.