What is Google My Business_ And How to Use It

Looking at the desktop screenshot above for “gas station near me”, Google’s typical search results look different than normal, don’t they? This is called the map pack , snack pack, local 3 pack, or what I like to call, Google’s gift to the small business owner: The ultimate local SEO hack. Okay, it’s not really a “hack” but it provides more leverage on Google’s search results than you’ve ever had before! Each of these results “ A, B, C ” for gas stations is a unique business listing . Since all of these are Shell gas stations, the example here is that your business might have multiple locations, but you can create a unique business listing for each one. Your business listing on GMB is your business’s digital footprint on Google for local SEO. If you have a small business that serves healthy fruit juice drinks, you have a chance to compete with Jamba Juice. Jamba Juice? The well-known, over-popularized “healthy” drink chain that’s known globally? Yes, the same one! If you own a local smoothie shop in a location where Jamba Juice is located, you can actual- ly compete thanks to GMB! What are the Benefits of a Google My Business Listing? I’m placing this here because I want everything in one place for the benefits of a GMB listing. Yes, I know I’ve already been talking about the amazing benefits of having a GMB listing, but here’s a bul- leted list for why you should have your own: 1. You can compete with large, well-known businesses. 2. You can appear in the map pack, which appears on page one on Google’s search results at the TOP of the page. 3. It’s free! Yes, Google My Business is completely F R E E . You don’t have to pay for a Google My Busi- ness listing. 4. GMB automatically connects to the Google Maps app to provide users with a route to your business. 5. You can add your products and services for additional information to help the person searching. 6. You can add your business description, hours of operation (even on holidays), offers, specials, pro- motions, and images of your business. 7. GMB listings gather reviews from customers (reviews are important indicators for ranking on Goo- gle). 8. Google search users (your customers) can add images of your location, products or services. This offers you free content! 9. You can appear on page #1 of Google’s SERPs… I’ve listed this twice here because it’s the best bene- fit of using Google My Business.

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