How to Get More Traffic From Google
As a business owner, getting more traffic from Google can feel like a bit of a mystery at times.
Do you spend the money paying an agency to work on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Or, do you take the time to do it yourself, trading off on other valuable revenue-generating activities?
While we offer Search Engine Optimization services, we're all about adding value to our small business owners out there, so here's a simple 4-step process on how to get more traffic from Google.
1. Optimize your Google Business Profile
What is a Google Business Profile?
Formally known as "Google My Business" this is a free listing offered to businesses from Google.
This listing allows you to take control over how your business shows up on Google's products.
Just about any business can get one, but it's especially beneficial to businesses with specific locations or service areas.
What does a Google Business Profile do?
A Google Business Profile stores your contact information, location, hours, photos, products, services, offers, posts, reviews, and more!
It's an incredibly powerful tool when utilized properly.
How To Optimize Your Google Business Profile
To start, you'll need to confirm the correct category of your listing, as this has a drastic impact on your visibility in search!
We recently helped a local handyman go from ZERO traffic on Google, to over 6 inquiries for service per week, and we saw an immediate lift from a simple change to the correct category!
After optimizing your category, move on to your services. Ensure that the services shown in your listing are accurate, as suggestions may have been made to your listing for services you don't offer, or you may have added services throughout the years as a business.
While looking at your services, confirm that you have the correct service area in your listing, as this will help you show up in the Google Map Pack.
All the traffic in the world won't be useful if you have the incorrect contact information, while you're optimizing, don't skip the basic step of making sure people can actually reach you.
2. Get Reviews on Google
Are Google Reviews Important?
Absolutely! Reviews are one of the most important components of your Search Engine Optimization strategy.
Not only does it increase your credibility in the eyes of potential customers, it is a large trust signal being sent to Google.
When in doubt, get more reviews. There has never been a business owner that has complained about getting good reviews.
3. Post on Your Google Business Profile
Should you post on your Google Business Profile?
Posting on your Google Business is a great strategy for boosting the traffic to your website and listing!
We've seen clients that employ a strategy of posting daily to their Google Business Profile get nearly 200,000 impressions in a month as a local restaurant.
Posting to your Google Business Profile is a great way to share offers, promotions, updates on your business, and even showcase events you're hosting.
These posts go a long way in updating your customers on what is happening in your business, without them ever making it to social media.
We like to think of Google Business Profile posts as a social media feed right on your listing. Not everyone will make it to your social media timeline, but you can share the same information with them on Search Engines, and that's powerful.
Are photos automatically added to my Google Business Profile?
No, they aren't!
As much as we'd love it if the images from posts were automatically uploaded to a Google Business Profile, they, unfortunately, aren't.
Instead, find the time 1-2 times per month to upload a batch of photos to your listing for more content on your listing.
4. Update Your Website
What website updates should you make to get more traffic from Google?
We suggest making simple changes to your website in order to get more traffic from Google.
Our favorite changes to make are:
Page Titles: Page Titles are the name you give the pages of your website. Ideally, these titles should include a keyword you're trying to rank for.
Meta Descriptions: These are descriptions shorter than 160 characters that tell readers and search engines what the page is about. When you're on Google, the Meta Description is the text that populates below the link to a website, making it extremely important to be both persuasive and effective.
Written Content: How often are you including key search phrases or keywords in your website content? While you shouldn't make it grossly oversaturated with keywords, you should still squeeze these keywords and search phrases into your content wherever appropriate.
Warning: Don't "keyword-stuff" and hope it works. Google frowns upon websites that featured abnormally-high densities of keywords stuffed on a page. Plus, it feels awkward as a reader and your site will suffer.
Not Sure Where to Start With Your SEO?
As we mentioned earlier, we offer Google Business Profile Management and Search Engine Optimization services, and we're happy to assist you with your marketing efforts.
If you're steadfast on taking this on on your own, visit our other website CheckMyGoogleRank.Org which will give you an in-depth report on your current SEO performance.
That tool will give you a look into your ranking for key terms in your industry and area, a look at your citation issues, reviews, competitor analysis, and more!
If you decide you need to call in a professional, visit our Contact page to get in touch!