Google My Business Listing Issues that Negatively Impact SEO

When it comes to search engine optimization for local businesses, few things, if any, are more important than a properly set up Google My Business (GMB) listing. While many tactics can boost SEO, the fact that Google dominates web search should be incentive enough to take advantage of this free and crucial Internet business listing. However, setting up a GMB listing isn’t as straightforward as you may think. Let’s look at five common GMB mistakes that can damage local SEO.
Using the Wrong Business Name
When it comes to your GMB page, it is important the business name matches the name on your website and other Internet directory listings, such as Yelp, Yellowpages and Facebook. This means to make sure you use your “doing business as (DBA)” name, opposed to a legal business name. Also stray away from trying to add keywords to the business name on your GMB page, as this harms your ranking due to Google listing violations.
Unclear Business Description
The business description section on a GMB listing only displays the first 250 characters in search. It is imperative to use this space to set your business apart from competitors. Focus this text on what your customers love and address common questions your business receives.
No Reviews or Fake Reviews
Google reviews are critical to local SEO. If your business does not have any reviews on Google, you will want to create a program that influences your customers to write them. However, it is against Google’s guidelines to pay for reviews or reward customers for reviews, this doesn’t mean you can’t politely ask them to review you following their purchase of goods or services.
Duplicate Listings
If you add a GMB listing that already exists, it will prevent your business from showing up in search results and will instead show up as a “duplicate listing” within your GMB account. Remove the duplicate listing as soon as possible. If one listing is verified, be sure to remove the unverified account. Speaking of verified...
Not Verifying the Business on GMB
Verifying your GMB page can instantly boost the amount of times your business shows up in search results, as Google will place more trust in a verified business than an unverified one. Verifying your GMB listing will also allow you to modify it by adding branding and images, crafting your business description and correcting any discrepancies in the generated listing.
Properly managing your Google My Business page will help boost your SEO, which drives traffic online and off. If you’d like GMB assistance, be sure to connect with the web presence experts at MORBiZ. Our team has decades of combined experience in helping local businesses show up in search results using a variety of proven tactics. To find out how our local Internet marketing team can help your business, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-855-2MORBiZ or by using this contact form . We look forward to helping you improve your local search engine ranking.









