Building a search marketing strategy is more important than ever for California businesses. Have you ever Googled something like “coffee shops near me”? Local search marketing is all about putting your business on the map in online searches when it matters most: the moment customers are searching for a business like yours.
Here are a few quick and easy ways to boost your business on Google.
Claim, Personalize & Manage Your Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free business listing from Google. It allows you to provide details and photos of your business, including your location, services, and products.
Add essential info
Include your address, hours of operation, and contact information. Don’t forget to share photos and your logo to stand out.
Show who you are
Google offers special business designations such as Black-owned, Woman-owned, or Veteran-owned to support historically underrepresented business communities. Share your pride!
Connect with customers
Add posts to your Business Profile to promote special offers, events, and updates. You can also post answers to frequently asked questions and send and receive direct messages.
Know how customers find your business
Discover what keywords people search to find you, and get insights on calls, reviews, bookings, and more to understand how your business connects with customers.
Build Trust with Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviews allow customers to share their experiences and opinions. Google Business Profile empowers you to respond to reviews publicly to build trust with new and returning customers.
💡 Share a direct link to your review page in your next newsletter to encourage those 5-star reviews!
Invest in Google Ads
Google Ads allows you to advertise and promote your products and services when users search relevant keywords. When done right, it has the potential to turbo-charge leads and sales. The Google Ads platform runs on pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, i.e. you have to pay every time a visitor clicks your ad. If you’re unfamiliar with PPC advertising, consider hiring a professional to create an effective ad campaign.
Michelle Mattingly is Google Ads Certified.
Bonus Tip: Optimize Your Website
Optimizing your website for search engines can help improve your Google ranking. Use accurate, descriptive titles for your pages. Mention everything you have to offer – think of keywords customers search for and include them in your copywriting. Update your content to account for seasons, trends, or new offerings.
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