If you have been trying to rank better in Google and get more local customers, your Google Business Profile is not optional. In this video, we walk through why a Google Business Profile is critical for local SEO and how to get yours set up the right way so you can actually show up when people search in your area.

You will learn:

• Why Google gives priority to businesses using Google Business Profile

• How to find and fill out the profile form with your business info

• What to include in your name, hours, services, logo and photos

• How Google’s video verification works and why it matters

• What to do if you serve customers at their location instead of a storefront

We also cover some easy to miss details, like Google’s rules about using LLC or Inc in your business name, why you should not try to outsmart Google with keyword stuffing, and how to write your business description as if you are talking to your ideal customer. You will see why having a complete, accurate profile is almost indispensable if you want to rank in the local map results.

Near the end, we talk about what to do once your profile is live, including getting reviews, responding professionally to negative feedback and using those responses to build trust with future customers.

This video is part of the Local SEO Miniseries, based on the book “Small Business, Big Visibility: Local SEO Made Easy,” available on Amazon. Watch the full series to learn how to outrank your competitors without paying high SEO agency fees.