The search engine giant has announced that its ranking criteria now includes the helpful content system – a machine learning model designed to present useful, reliable information primarily created for people and NOT search engines.

In addition, Google has introduced several new spam policies, which will be enforced through automated algorithms and manual actions.

The March 2024 core update may take up to a month to roll out due to multiple system updates being released.

What do these updates mean for website owners and digital marketers? Let’s find out by discussing:

• Google’s March 2024 Core Update – A Boost for High-Quality Content
• Google’s ‘Helpful Content’ Criteria
• March 2024 Spam Updates
• Should You Be Worried?
• How to Create Helpful, High-Quality Content

Google’s March 2024 Core Update – A Boost for High-Quality, Original Content

Last March 5, Google started to roll out its first algorithm update of the year – the March 2024 Core Update aimed at refining Google’s core ranking systems to ensure that webpages are helpful, provide an excellent user experience and are not created for search engines but for people.

Additionally, the Google Helpful Content update now classifies ‘helpful content’ as a website ranking factor.

Based on Google’s predictions, these updates will collectively reduce low-quality, unoriginal content in Google searches by as much as 40%.

In light of these changes, some sites may see fluctuations in organic search rankings depending on how they align with the new criteria. However, a clear trend suggests that this update will favor high-quality, original content.

This is great news for businesses already prioritizing creating valuable content for their audience, as it can significantly enhance their website’s search ranking and establish them as a trustworthy source of information in their industry.

This is not the first time that Google has emphasized the importance of quality content. But with this latest update, Google is taking it to the next level by cracking down on sites that try to manipulate rankings through poor content quality.

That said, what does Google consider ‘high-quality, helpful’ content?

Google’s ‘Helpful Content’ Criteria

The helpful content system is an automated Google algorithm update that evaluates web pages based on their helpfulness to users. When a user searches for information, this system ranks websites based on their ability to provide ‘reliable, people-first content,’ as Google puts it.

Google’s ranking systems use various signals to assess the helpfulness of specific pages on a page level. While Google stays mum about the specific signals that go into this determination, it offers general guidelines for creating helpful content.

Some of these guidelines include:

• Providing accurate and factual information
• Creating unique, original content
• Having a clear and easy-to-navigate website design
• Making sure the page is easily accessible for all users, including those with disabilities
• Ensuring that the content is well-written and free of spelling or grammatical errors
• Including relevant images and multimedia to enhance the user experience.

You can check out Google’s self-assessment for web content and other general guidelines to learn how to comply with the new Google helpful content update.

March 2024 Spam Updates

To complement the Google helpful content update, the search engine giant has announced new spam updates penalizing websites using manipulative tactics instead of SEO best practices. Here are three updates that website owners should be aware of:

Scaled Content Abuse

Google has long maintained a policy against using automation to churn out low-quality or unoriginal content in a bid to manipulate search rankings. Originally, this policy targeted instances of mass content generation where automation was obvious.

Nowadays, methods for creating scaled content have become more advanced, making it less apparent whether the content is solely automated.

To combat the abusive behavior of mass content production for search ranking manipulation, Google is reinforcing its policy. This policy applies to all forms of content creation, whether done by automation, humans or both.

With this approach, Google aims to eliminate the production of large-scale content that offers little to no value to users. This includes pages falsely claiming to provide answers to popular searches but lacking relevant content.

Site Reputation Abuse

In some cases, websites may feature subpar content from third parties to leverage the hosting site’s reputation. For example, a third party might publish articles promoting questionable dietary supplements on a reputable health and wellness blog to improve its visibility in search results.

This causes confusion among visitors, as their expectations for the website’s content may not align with what they find in search results.

With the new Google algorithm update, Google will now identify low-value, spammy content generated by third parties for ranking purposes without proper oversight from the website owner.

This policy is being announced two months prior to the May 5, 2024 rollout, allowing website owners enough time to make necessary adjustments.

Expired Domain Abuse

Finally, Google will zero in on websites that exploit expired domains to manipulate organic search rankings. These include websites that purchase domains with high authoritativeness or established backlinks and use them to publish subpar content solely for ranking purposes.

With the latest update, websites will now be penalized for spam content regardless of their level of authoritativeness.

Should You Be Worried?

If you’re already focused on creating quality, relevant content that meets user intent, there’s no need to worry. In fact, this update presents a great opportunity for you to stand out from the competition.

However, if you’ve been cutting corners on content creation or neglecting SEO best practices to boost website ranking, it’s time to reevaluate your strategy.

Thrive Demand Generation SEO Strategist Ken Romero advises website owners and marketers to remain vigilant but not panic in the wake of ranking changes caused by algorithm updates.

According to Romero, focusing on providing a good user experience and quality content on your website is crucial.

“Keep monitoring your site’s performance, and if needed, seek advice from SEO experts to navigate through any ranking changes. Building a strong foundation for your website will help it withstand fluctuations caused by algorithm updates in the long run,” Romero added.

These updates serve as a reminder that content quality is crucial in maintaining a strong online presence and gaining authoritativeness with both users and search engines. Ultimately, creating quality, relevant content will always pay off in the long run.

How To Create Helpful, High-Quality Content

The key to staying on top of the rankings is creating content that genuinely helps your target audience. Here are a few content optimization tips to get you started:

1. Conduct thorough research: Before creating any content, do in-depth research to provide accurate, up-to-date information aligned with user intent.

2. Write for humans: While content optimization for search engines is essential, remember that your content should ultimately serve your audience. Make sure it is well-written and caters to user intent.

3. Use multimedia: Incorporate relevant images, videos and other media to enhance the user experience and make your content more engaging.

4. Keep it original: Avoid plagiarism at all costs by creating unique content that sets you apart from the competition.

5. Avoid spammers’ tactics: Avoid manipulative tactics, such as keyword stuffing or creating low content quality in bulk, to avoid getting penalized by search engines.

6. Stay updated: Keep up with the latest algorithm updates and guidelines from search engines to ensure your content remains compliant.

7. Consistency is key: Regularly publishing high-quality content shows search engines and users that you are a reliable source of information.

Develop User-Centric Content With Thrive

The March 2024 Core Update is a significant step towards Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. That said, content creators must prioritize generating genuinely helpful content that addresses audience queries and pain points.

If you’re struggling to keep up with Google algorithm updates, let Thrive handle your content optimization.

Our skilled writers can help you create original, informative and user-centric content to improve authoritativeness and boost your website rankings. We implement SEO best practices, monitor your organic search rankings and adjust content strategies to ensure your site stays competitive.

Additionally, AZ IN SEO Team optimizes website page speed performance to enhance user experience and meet Google’s standards.

“We also explore other strategies such as schema markup implementation, enhancing mobile responsiveness and leveraging social signals to further improve client website rankings and ensure long-term success in search results,” Romero said.

Don’t let spam updates derail your online success. Contact Thrive today and start creating helpful, high-quality content to set you apart from the competition!

Establishing trust within your Amazon niche is paramount in brand building. By enrolling in Amazon Brand Registry, you can cultivate a reputable brand identity that fosters customer loyalty and superb revenue growth.

In this blog, we discuss the following topics:

• How To Set Up an Amazon Seller Account
• What Is Amazon Brand Registry?
• How To Craft a Successful Amazon Branding Strategy

Read on and learn how to position your Amazon brand for unparalleled success.

How To Set Up an Amazon Seller Account

Before establishing your Amazon brand identity, you must first create your seller account. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Decide on a Plan

To start the Amazon seller account setup process, you’ll need to choose an Amazon selling plan that suits your business goals, budget and where you are in your selling journey.

• Individual Seller Plan: Perfect for sellers with less than 40 monthly sales. This plan doesn’t charge a monthly fee, but you’ll have to pay $0.99 for each sale. If you’re still finalizing your inventory, this option helps you save money as you prepare to launch your store.

• Professional Seller Plan: Ideal for sellers with a more extensive product catalog. You pay a fixed monthly subscription fee of $39.99, regardless of the number of items you sell. Additionally, the Professional plan offers access to various tools promoting visibility and brand protection on Amazon. You can enroll in Amazon Brand Registry and benefit from Amazon’s pay-per-click (PPC) advertising capabilities to rank higher on search results.

Step 2: Sign Up or Create an Account

Visit the Seller Central Amazon login and sign-up page. You can either log in using your existing Amazon customer credentials or create an entirely new seller account.

Once you’ve created an account, you’ll need to enter a verification code sent to your email. Then, Amazon will usually require the following documents and information:

• A valid government-issued ID or passport
• Tax information
• A mobile number
• Bank account details for receiving your sales proceeds
• An internationally chargeable credit card

Besides the list of items above, you’ll need to be a resident of one of the approved countries to be eligible for seller registration.

Step 3: Enter Your Business Information

Amazon will request the following details:

• Your business location
• Your business type:
○ Privately owned business
○ State-owned business
○ Publicly owned business
○ Charity
○ None, I am an individual

If you haven’t established a business yet, choose “None, I am an individual.” In this case, Amazon will ask for your full name in the next step.

Step 4: Enter Seller Information

Next, you’ll need to provide details about your chosen point of contact for your business. Besides name and location, you’ll also have to indicate whether the contact person is a beneficial owner or legal representative of the business.

Step 5: Provide Billing Information

Amazon will require your card number, card expiration date, cardholder name and billing address. If you used the same credentials for both your seller and customer account, your information might already be saved.

Step 6: Enter Store Information

To proceed to the next phase of the Amazon seller account setup, you’ll need to verify the following:

• Your Amazon store name (You can change this later).
• Whether or not you have Universal Product Code (UPC) for your items. UPC is the barcode used to identify a specific product. If you’re unsure, click “Yes.”
• If you have any diversity certifications.
• If you’re the manufacturer and/or brand owner of the product(s) you’re selling.

Step 7: Verification

You’ll need to confirm your identity by uploading pictures of your ID (driver’s license or passport) and a bank statement.

Once you’ve submitted those, you’ll be asked to undergo an Identity Verification process through a video call with an Amazon representative.

What Is Amazon Brand Registry?

Amazon Brand Registry is an exclusive program that authenticates your Amazon brand identity and provides tools that let you enhance, promote and monitor your product listings.

It focuses on brand protection on Amazon by safeguarding your trademarks, including proprietary text and image search and predictive automation. This helps prevent unauthorized sellers and bad actors from profiting off your hard work.

Additionally, the program offers a separate internal team to help sellers resolve and escalate marketplace violations, such as:

• Incorrect listing contributions and variations
• Product review manipulations
• Intellectual Property (IP) infringement claims

To be eligible, you must have an active registered trademark in each country where you wish to enroll or a pending trademark application filed through Amazon IP Accelerator.

How Long Does Approval Take?

If you have an existing trademark or a pending request through the IP Accelerator program, approval usually takes about two weeks. Carefully review all requirements before submission to avoid delays and ensure a smooth experience.

How To Craft a Successful Amazon Branding Strategy

Amazon Brand Registry offers you specialized tools to create a more memorable and lucrative online brand presence.

Let’s explore how you can leverage these features to improve your Amazon branding strategy.

1. Leverage A+ Content and Amazon SEO

The A+ Content tool streamlines Amazon product listing optimization beyond standard plain-text descriptions. It lets you:

• Add Multimedia Elements

Integrate photos, videos and comparison charts to your listings to vividly showcase your products. If you opt for premium A+ content, you can add larger images, interactive hotspot modules and image carousels.

• Create a Brand Story Section

Share your brand mission and values, maximize cross-sell opportunities and link customers to your Amazon storefront.

• Highlight Product Features

Minimize returns and negative feedback by highlighting precise product features and proactively engaging customers using a Q&A format.

Although Amazon’s internal search engine doesn’t index keywords within A+ content, Google does. Employing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques can make your A+ content more discoverable on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Attract external traffic to your product listings by following these Amazon SEO practices:

• Use descriptive alt text for your product images.
• Incorporate high-traffic, relevant keywords into your product titles and descriptions.

Through Amazon product listing optimization, you can improve search rankings and, ultimately, increase sales.

2. Customize Your Amazon Storefront

Create your own multi-page storefront and achieve your Amazon marketing and sales goals much faster. Amazon Store lets you personalize your page using drag-and-drop tiles and pre-designed templates.

If you have multiple product categories and subcategories, you can create subpages to host them. Moreover, you won’t contend with competitor ads, ensuring a focused platform for Amazon product promotion.

3. Launch Sponsored Brands Ads

Sponsored Brands Ads are banners featuring your brand logo, products and unique tagline. Positioned prominently at the top of Amazon search results, they aim to captivate shoppers actively seeking your products or services.

A key benefit of Sponsored Brands Ads is their ability to channel traffic directly from the ad to your Amazon Storefront or landing page. Here, users can view only your products, without any competitor listings in sight.

You’ll have complete control over your bids for keywords and daily campaign budget. By employing keyword research and Amazon SEO basic principles, you can refine your ad copy and ensure your ads translate into profits.

4. Share Livestream Content

Interact with potential customers through Amazon Live. This unique Amazon product promotion tool lets you perform product demos, chat with your followers and promote live-only special deals.

By introducing livestream video into your Amazon branding strategy, you can influence purchase decisions and widen your reach. You can even link your streams to various marketing channels.

5. Use Amazon Analytics Tools To Track Key Metrics

These Amazon analytics tools can help you evaluate and fine-tune your branding and marketing efforts:

• Amazon Brand Analytics: Offers insights into popular search terms, market basket analysis, consumer demographics and item comparisons.

• Amazon Advertising Console: Measures the success of your Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) campaigns by looking at click-through rates, conversion rates and ad spend.

• Amazon Attribution: Gauge the impact of various marketing channels, such as display ads, search engines, social media and email campaigns, on driving Amazon sales.

6. Maintain a Cohesive Online Brand Presence Across Channels

Apply these Amazon marketing techniques to promote your products and reinforce your brand story across various platforms:

• Use Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Amazon Posts and Pinterest to display your offerings and drive traffic to your product listings.
• Send targeted email campaigns featuring curated products, exclusive offers and promotions.
• Collaborate with influencers or bloggers in your Amazon niche to widen your reach.
• Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your website and social media, reinforcing your brand’s credibility.

Use consistent Amazon branding elements (images, messaging and tone of voice) across all platforms to boost customer recognition and trust.

Create a Growth-Driven Amazon Branding Strategy With Thrive

Develop an unforgettable brand and dominate your Amazon niche with Thrive. With our expertise in Amazon product listing optimization and ad management, you can drive measurable business growth.

Combining Amazon analytics tools, industry experience and the latest market trends, we assist sellers in driving referrals and repeat sales. From Amazon seller account setup to customer support and brand monitoring, we’ve got you covered.

Our services are tailored to deliver higher returns and maximize brand protection on Amazon. Book a consultation now and let our team amplify your Amazon marketing efforts.

But can someone who doesn’t have any command in coding or programming figure out how to make a website for a business they’re running?

Absolutely.

But how exactly would a non-technical entrepreneur come up with a website that not only hits the mark visually but also delivers in user experience?

Let this beginner-friendly guide on how to build a website help you make that happen.

How To Build a Website (Step-by-Step)

About 67% of shoppers visit a new brand’s website or app before completing a purchase. What’s more, 80% of them take the time to stack up the prices against those of similar brands or products.

Having a website can position you at an advantage so that when potential customers weigh your brand against others, yours comes out on top.

So, let’s guide you through each step of building a website.

1. Define Your Objectives

First things first, when you’re thinking about launching a website, you’ve got to start with the end in mind. You need to have a clear goal or purpose for your website — it will shape everything from the design to the content of your website.

Now, your website can serve a multitude of purposes depending on what you’re aiming to achieve.

Common purposes of having a website are:

• Drive sales with an online store selling goods directly to customers.
• Generate leads with a contact form on a website.
• Share information through a blog or portfolio website.
• Build an online presence and market a business through a website.

For example, suppose you run a small cafe in town looking to get more both online orders and foot traffic to your store. Your website should highlight what makes your place special – think tempting photos of your coffee and pastries, along with practical business information like your location and hours. This illustration shows how your goal influences your website’s design and content.

You can pursue multiple purposes at the same time, but you should have one main goal. An online store’s primary purpose is to drive sales, whereas a news site is to share information, but both can have other goals.

2. Assemble Your Team

Building a website isn’t a one-person show, especially if you’re aiming for something that truly resonates with your audience and meets your business objectives. Having a team, whether big or small, brings together diverse skills and perspectives that are crucial for tackling the various aspects of website creation.

And if you’re flying solo or running a small operation, identifying these roles can help you seek the right kind of help when needed.

Key players you might want on your team:

• Project managers to organize deadlines and keep everyone aligned
• Content writers with experience in search engine optimization (SEO) so your content appeals to users and search engines
• Web designers with specialization in user interface and user experience (UI/UX) to engage visitors
• Web developer to build your custom site, especially if you’re building from scratch
• SEO specialists working with your content writers to oversee your SEO efforts
• Digital marketing strategist to provide a clear roadmap for promoting your new site

Having a team with clear roles – or knowing which roles you need support in – can dramatically streamline the website creation process.

3. Analyze Your Brand

Your website is essentially the virtual face of your business. It’s crucial that it accurately represents your brand’s identity, values and what sets you apart from the competition. Conducting a brand audit allows you to align your website’s messaging, design and overall experience with your brand’s essence.

Insights you want to bring to light:

• Brand voice and personality: You want to ensure your website communicates a tone that reflects your brand’s personality, whether that’s professional or laid-back.
• Unique selling points (USPs): USPs are what set your business apart. They help you write compelling website copy to tell visitors why they should choose you over others.
• Target audience: Understanding who your ideal customers are dictates how you design your website and craft your content, prioritizing resonance over trends.

During this process, you also want to take stock of any existing content or materials that could be repurposed or refreshed for your website.

4. Set Your Budget

Without a budget, expenses can balloon, leading to potential financial strain and a speed bump in your web project. On the other hand, a well-planned budget helps prioritize your needs and ensures you’re making smart investments in your website.

So, what sort of costs might you be looking at?

Here are website creation expenses to be prepared for:

• Domain name (your website’s address)
• Web hosting (storage for your website’s files)
• Security certificates (indicate that your website is for safe browsing)
• Design and development (building your website’s look and function)
• Content creation (text, images and videos for your website)
• Maintenance (fixing bugs, updating software or adding features)
• Marketing (promoting your website to attract visitors)

Costs for domain names are relatively lower than other aspects mentioned, but they can elevate if the domain you’re interested in is already owned. When it comes to hosting, you can look into shared hosting plans, which are more affordable.

For those with tighter budgets, focus on what’s truly essential for your website at launch. You can always add bells and whistles later when your budget allows.

Overall, you want to treat your web creation expenses as an investment. By setting a sensible budget, you’re ensuring your web project not only stays manageable but also primed to return real value.

5. Research Your Market

Market research isn’t just about knowing your potential customers (though that’s a huge part of it); it’s also about getting a good look at your competitors. This is where you roll up your sleeves, grab your digital binoculars and start observing what others in your field are doing online.

Why bother peeking at the competition? For starters, it’s a goldmine of inspiration.

Seeing how others present their brand, engage with their audience and structure their websites can spark ideas for your own. It’s not about copying; far from it. It’s about understanding what’s out there and thinking about how you can do it differently or better.

Questions you can ask:

• What website builders are my competitors using?
• Do my competitors have a blog?
• What are the key messages being communicated by my competitors?

But there’s more to it than just picking up design and content ideas. Your deep dive into the market can reveal gaps – areas that your competitors are overlooking or needs that aren’t being fully met. These insights are invaluable because they can further guide you to position your website in a way that fills those gaps.

6. Review Your Branding

You’re likely brimming with ideas after digging into market research. But hold on a second before you start bringing those ideas to life and revisit your brand. It’s crucial to make sure your ideas mesh well with your brand’s identity.

If you’ve got a brand book, now’s the time to crack it open. If not, consider putting one together. Such a guide is your brand’s DNA on paper; it ensures that every piece of content you create, especially your website, feels authentic to your brand.

Here’s a quick rundown of what should be included in your brand book:

• Logo guidelines: Usage rules, size and placement.
• Color palette: Specific brand colors with codes.
• Typography: Approved fonts and usage styles.
• Imagery guidelines: Style of photos and illustrations.
• Tone of voice: Communication style and examples.
• Core values: Key messages and brand ethos.

By using your brand book as a filter, you can quickly see which new ideas fit your brand and which don’t. It’s not about curbing creativity but about directing it so that everything you do reinforces, rather than dilutes, your brand identity.

For example, maybe a competitor’s casual tone catches your eye, but if your brand is all about professionalism, mimicking that tone could confuse your audience.

So, take a moment to align your exciting new ideas with your brand’s core. With this, you ensure your website not only captures attention but does so in a way that’s true to who you are as a business.

7. Claim Your Domain Name

Now that you’ve revisited your branding with fresh eyes and are feeling more aligned with your brand identity, it’s the perfect moment to take a big step forward and secure your domain name. Essentially, your domain name is your online address — it’s how customers will find you online.

Your domain name can influence how visible you are in search results and shape user perception.

So, to guide you, here are tips for brainstorming your domain name:

• Keep it easy to spell; the last thing you want is for potential visitors to get lost trying to find you.
• Be brand-consistent in a way that your domain name should echo your brand’s name or core service to reinforce your identity.
• Avoid hyphens and numbers unless they’re a crucial part of your brand. They can complicate things and are best left out.

If you’re already running a business, sticking to your actual business name for your domain is usually the best route. It maintains consistency across your online and offline presence. Again, you want to make it easier for existing customers to find you and reinforce your brand identity for new ones.

8. Select Your Website Hosting Provider

Think of website hosting as renting a space on the internet where your website lives. It’s where all your website’s files, data and other content are stored, making them accessible to anyone who types in your domain name. So, without a fitting hosting provider, your site could end up inaccessible.

Promos and discounts are also something you want to keep an eye on. While not essential, having extra savings is always a good idea in business.

Most website builders or those who use a content management system (CMS) typically have built-in web hosting services in their plans.

But for those who will code their own websites, you need to put in the work to look into web hosting providers and carefully weigh your options. Ultimately, you want to align with your website needs and business goals.

9. Decide Your Web Dev Path

You have a few paths you can take: building from the ground up, using a website builder or leveraging a content management system (CMS). Every choice comes with its own set of advantages and demands different resources from you, such as levels of expertise.

Let’s break your options down:

Apart from your website goals and resources, you should factor in the level of control you want over your site’s design and functionalities as you decide.

In this guide, we’ll only focus on the first two options (A and B) — either using a website builder or CMS.

10. Pick Your Website Builder or CMS

Let’s recap the two options before naming a few examples.

Using website builders means you can design, build and launch your site all from one platform without needing to write a single line of code. Again, many website builders come equipped with intuitive drag-and-drop editors, making web design accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. They also often include hosting services.

Using CMS, on the other hand, is embracing the freedom to tailor every corner of your website exactly how you envision it, from intricate design customizations to adding complex functionalities. While it’s true that this path puts the responsibility of updates, security and backups on your shoulders, the payoff is immense, especially for larger websites or those with ambitions to scale.

As such, each platform has its strengths, from eCommerce capabilities to stunning design templates, so choose one that aligns with your needs, skill level and long-term goals for your website.

11. Plan Your Website Features

The functionalities you incorporate can significantly enhance your visitors’ experience and help you achieve your business goals. If you’re aiming to launch a website as an online shop, selecting the right features makes it easy for your customers to navigate, find what they need and make purchases or inquiries.

Keep in mind that each website feature should serve a purpose, whether it’s to capture attention, inform, engage, convert or provide support to your visitors.

12. Prepare Your Web Content

Your web content steers the wheel on how you engage, inform and convert your audience. Here’s how to strategically tackle your content plan:

Whether you’re in need of images, videos or graphics, ensure each piece of content is high-quality and reflects your brand’s voice and values. If you lack the expertise or resources in-house, consider hiring or outsourcing professionals.

13. Identify Your Main Web Pages

Every website has its core pages, those you absolutely must have from the get-go, and then there are those you can add later as your site grows.

The lists can change depending on your businesses.

14. Wireframe Your Site per Page

Picture a wireframe as the skeleton of your website: a bare-bones visual guide that represents the layout of your website’s pages. It’s akin to an architect’s blueprint for a building, outlining where each element, like text, images or buttons, will live on your pages.

Wireframing allows you and your team to align on the site’s structure before diving into design and development. It’s a crucial step for visualizing the user experience (UX) and making strategic decisions about your site’s navigation and content placement.

Wireframing tools you can explore:

• Sketch: Perfect for high-fidelity wireframes, offering a plethora of features and plugins to streamline your design process.
• Balsamiq: Great for beginners, Balsamiq mimics sketching on a notepad or whiteboard but with the convenience of digital tools, making it easier to share and iterate on ideas.
• Adobe XD: A versatile tool that supports wireframing, prototyping and collaboration, allowing you and your team to work seamlessly together.
• Figma: Known for its collaborative features, Figma lets multiple users work on the same wireframe simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects.

A word for those who want to skip this process:

Diving straight into design or development might feel like a shortcut, but bypassing wireframing can result in missed usability problems or layout mistakes. Fixing such issues down the line can be costly and slow you down. Wireframing is your chance to experiment, iterate and refine your ideas, identifying potential problems early and getting your team aligned.

For smaller sites or tight timelines, a basic wireframe or even a sketch can do the job. Remember to prioritize your main pages.

15. Design Your Main Web Pages

Focus first on the homepage, products or services page, contact us page and about us page. These pages are foundational because they directly communicate your value proposition, showcase what you offer and provide a clear path for engagement.

Example of a homepage – MasterClass

AZIN SEO homepage

Example of a products page – Peet’s Coffee

Thrive’s video production service page

Example of a Contact Us page – Survicate

Thrive’s Contact Us page

Example of an About Us page – Glen Keane Productions

Thrive’s About Us page

Designing your main web pages with care and strategic thought sets the tone for the entire user experience on your site.

So, for those using a website builder, there’s no need to shy away from using professionally designed templates; only make sure they are responsive and customizable. Reinventing the wheel is not always the wisest move.

16. Add Content to Your Pages

Your website content is your first “hello” to potential customers. Your content is also a key player in getting your site discovered online through SEO. Here’s when you strategically add all the content you prepared and produced earlier.

Examples of content to add:

Text or copy: Start with compelling, clear and concise text. Every word on your site should have a purpose, whether it’s to inform, engage or convert visitors. Make sure your text reflects your brand’s voice, whether that’s professional, casual or somewhere in between. And always, always proofread.

Multimedia: Images, videos, infographics and audio can all play a role in telling your brand story and engaging visitors. Use high-quality visuals that reflect your brand and appeal to your target audience.

CTAs: Every page should have a goal, and your content should guide visitors towards that goal. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase or getting in touch, your CTAs should be clear, compelling and easy to find.

Social proof: Testimonials, reviews and case studies add credibility and trust to your brand. Don’t be shy about showcasing what others have said about your products or services.

Blogs or articles: If you have a blog or resources section, make sure it’s updated regularly with relevant, valuable content. This not only helps with SEO but positions you as an authority in your field.

Ultimately, each piece of content should catch the eye, communicate your value and invite users to engage and convert.

17. Optimize Your Website for Search

SEO is all about making sure that when someone is looking for services or products you offer, your site pops up on the search results page.

SEO can be broken down into three main categories:

On-page SEO is all about the content on your site. It means optimizing your text, images and videos so search engines can understand what your site is about. Crafting keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions (snippets that show up in search results) for each page makes a big difference.

Content hierarchy in on-page SEO also helps search engines understand the priority of your content. In practice, this involves using headings (Heading 1 or H1 for your main title, followed by H2, H3 and so on for subheadings) to structure your content in a way that’s easy for both humans and search engines to digest.

Off-page SEO focuses on building your site’s reputation through links from other sites. It’s like getting a vote of confidence from the internet. The more reputable sites link back to you, the more search engines trust your site.

Technical SEO is where we ensure your site’s structure is search engine friendly. This means having a fast-loading site, a logical architecture and making sure it’s mobile-responsive. Remember, search engines prefer sites that provide a great user experience.

The good news is that many website builders, like Squarespace, come with built-in SEO tools. These platforms can guide you through the basics of on-page SEO, like inserting keywords in key places and setting up your meta titles and descriptions.

Looking into the SEO capabilities of your website builder is a great starting point for making sure your site is search engine-ready from the get-go.

18. Add the Right Plugins

Think of your website as a smartphone. Out of the box, it does a lot, but to truly make it yours, you add apps. Plugins are like those apps for your website, bringing in extra functionality that your site doesn’t have straight out of the gate.

Plugins extend your site’s capabilities without the need for custom coding. Whether you’re looking to enhance SEO, speed up your site, add contact forms or create an online store, there’s likely a plugin that can help.

Here are a few examples of plugins that can supercharge your website:

• SEO plugins, like Yoast SEO, help optimize your content to rank higher in search engine results.
• Security plugins, such as Wordfence Security, protect your site from hacking and malware.
• eCommerce plugins, like WooCommerce, turn your site into a fully functional online store.
• Page builder plugins, including Elementor, allow you to create custom page layouts with a drag-and-drop interface.

Most website builders and CMS platforms, including WordPress, have a library of plugins, both free and paid. You can easily add new features as your business grows and your needs change without needing to overhaul your website.

While it’s tempting to load up on plugins, quality over quantity is key. Too many plugins can slow down your site, so choose wisely and only install those that truly add value to your website and your visitor’s experience.

19. Make Your Website Responsive

Imagine a website that magically adjusts its layout, images and content to look amazing on any device, be it a laptop, tablet or smartphone. That’s what a responsive website does. It responds to the screen size of the device it’s viewed on, providing an optimal browsing experience for everyone.

If your site looks great on a desktop but turns into a jumbled mess on a phone, you’re going to lose out on a lot of potential business. Plus, search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly sites in their rankings.

Using a template: Most modern website builders and themes are designed to be responsive out of the box. Be sure to choose a template that’s mobile-friendly, and you’ll be most of the way there. Then, always test the template on multiple devices to ensure it looks and functions as expected.

Coding manually: If you’re customizing beyond a template, you’ll need to look into media queries in CSS. These allow your website to detect the viewer’s screen size and adjust the layout accordingly. Key areas to focus on include flexible grid layouts, scalable images and adjustable text sizes.

To this, some implement a mobile-first approach, designing for the smallest screen first and then adding more complex features and content for larger screens.

20. Look Into Your Site Speed

Visitors have little patience for slow-loading pages, and search engines like Google prioritize speedy sites in their rankings. Essentially, a quick-loading site can keep visitors happy and reduce bounce rates.

How do you keep tabs on your website’s speed? Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix are your best friends here. They not only measure your site’s loading times but also provide valuable insights and recommendations on how to make your site faster.

Here are tips for optimizing your site speed:

• Optimize your images: High-resolution images can slow your site down. Tools like TinyPNG can reduce file sizes without compromising quality.
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs distribute your site’s files across global servers, reducing the distance data needs to travel to reach your visitors.
• Streamline your web fonts: While custom fonts are great for branding, they can slow things down. Stick to the essentials and limit the number of font styles and weights.
• Minimize HTTP requests: Each piece of your site (images, stylesheets, scripts) requires a separate HTTP request to load. Combine files where possible, and use CSS instead of images whenever feasible.
• Enable browser caching: This allows visitors’ browsers to store copies of your site’s files, speeding up load times for repeat visitors.

If you’re piecing together your website from the ground up or using CMS platforms, these optimization strategies are definitely for you. But if you’re using a website builder, a lot of the heavy lifting might already be done for you.

Take Shopify, for instance – it automatically optimizes and delivers all files in the theme’s assets directory and images uploaded via the admin panel from its own CDN. So, a good chunk of your site’s content will be served efficiently from cdn.shopify.com. For other files or elements, you can manually add assets.

Remember, in the race for visitors’ attention, speed is your ally. So, regularly checking and optimizing your site’s speed ensures a smoother ride for your users.

21. Check for Consistency

Just like you want your store or office to present a cohesive brand image, your website should do the same. Consistency here is key; it not only makes your site more professional and trustworthy but also reinforces your brand identity with every click.

Here are some practical tips to keep everything in harmony:

• Stick to your brand colors: Choose a palette that reflects your brand and use it throughout your site. This doesn’t mean every page should look the same, but there should be a cohesive theme that ties them all together.
• Consistent fonts: Select a set of fonts that match your brand’s style and stick to them across all web pages. Consistency in fonts contributes significantly to the overall feel of your site.
• Uniform logo placement: Your logo is the cornerstone of your brand identity. Place it consistently, preferably at the top left of each page, since that’s where eyes tend to look first. This helps with brand recognition and gives your site a polished look.
• Maintain a steady voice: The tone and style of your written content should be uniform across your website. Whether it’s professional, friendly or quirky, keeping a consistent voice helps in establishing a connection with your audience.

A consistent look and feel across your website elevates the user experience.

22. Review and Launch Your Website

There are more crucial checks to ensure your website is primed and ready for the world to see.

Now, your website is live! Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back, but know the work doesn’t stop there. There will be continuous housekeeping to make sure your website performs well over time.

Let’s Help You Build a Website From Scratch

“Websites can give you leads and sales around the clock,” said Amit Rana, Thrive’s senior development manager.

“With Thrive, you can have a professionally designed website and explore cost-effective marketing like SEO.”

Take a look at our services:

• Web design
• Custom web design
• WordPress web design
• Web hosting

Talk to our team – build a website from scratch.

How To Create Your Own Website Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions on how to build a website to further guide you through the process.

For more questions on how to create your own website, ask our web development team.

In fact, according to Google’s Consumer Insights report, the number of searches containing “near me” has risen by over 200%.

With this in mind, businesses must double down on their local search engine optimization (SEO) efforts – beginning with their Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

Considered the modern-day Yellow Pages, Google Business Profile (GBP) offers users a quick way to find, learn about and engage with businesses nearby. Unfortunately, only a handful of business owners bother to claim their listings, let alone optimize them.

This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about Google Business Profile, from how to set up Google Business Profile to optimizing for maximum local search visibility.

A Brief Introduction to Google Business Profile
What Is Google Business Profile?
Google’s Local Pack and Knowledge Panel
Why Is Google Business Profile Important for Local SEO?
How Google Collects and Uses Information in Business Profiles
What Does an Optimized Google Business Profile Look Like?
8 Common Issues for Business Owners Using Google Business Profiles
How To Set Up Google Business Profile
How To Create a Google Business Profile
How To Claim an Existing, Unverified GBP Listing
How To Request Access to a GBP Managed by Another User
How To Report a Suspicious GBP Account
Google Business Profile Ranking Factors (as per Google Guidelines)
13 Google Business Profile Optimization Steps to Boost Your Local SEO
Step 1: Keep Your Business Information Complete and Accurate
Step 2: Use a Local Number
Step 3: Choose a Specific Business Category
Step 4: Write a Comprehensive “From the business” Description
Step 5: Add Special Attributes
Step 6: Feature Products and Services
Step 7: Follow Google Business Profile Guidelines for Uploading Photos and Videos
Step 8: Post Relevant Content on Your GMB Posts
Step 9: Setup Messaging
Step 10: Add Links to Socials
Step 11: Monitor Your Business Profile’s Q&A Section
Step 12: Manage, Generate and Respond to Google Business Profile Reviews
Step 13: Monitor Your GBP Performance
7 Best Practices for Optimizing Your Google Business Profile
Harness the Power of Google Business Profile for Improved Local SEO
How Thrive’s GBP Professionals Cracked the Code
Google Business Profile SEO FAQs

A Brief Introduction to Google Business Profile

In June 2014, Google merged its local search platform Google Places into Google+ Local and introduced the concept of Business Pages. The platform was rebranded as “Google My Business” in 2015 before finally settling in 2021 into what we now know as “Google Business Profile.”

Here’s a timeline of Google’s evolution from Google Local to Google Business Profile:

March 2004: Google launches Google Local as a competitor to Yellow Pages and Yelp.
June 2011: Google introduces Google+ to compete with Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
May 2012: Google launches Google+ Local and The Knowledge Graph, incorporating big data and a knowledge-based algorithm.
June 2014: Google My Business debuts as a business management and engagement platform.
April 2019: Google+ shuts down after suffering a data leak.
November 2021: Google My Business was rebranded as Google Business Profile

What Is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a free, easy-to-use tool for businesses to manage their presence across Google Search, Maps and other Google properties. It displays essential information about a company, including contact details, location, customer reviews and photos, to help potential customers make informed decisions about your business.

What Are the Benefits of Google Business Profile for Online Business?

• Control how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. Edit your profile at any time through the GBP website.
• Showcase your business with photos. Add photos to your profile to highlight products, services and your location.
• Interact with customers through reviews. Respond to reviews and engage with potential customers.
• Gain insights into how customers are finding you. GBP allows you to track site visits and calls, among others.
• Manage multiple locations with ease. If you have multiple business locations, you can manage them all through one dashboard on GBP.
• Share your latest news, offers and other company updates. You can do this through texts, photos and videos.
• Boost your local SEO efforts. Properly optimizing your Google Business Profile can help improve your ranking in Google’s “Local Pack” and “Knowledge Panel.”

But, What Are Google’s Local Pack and Knowledge Panel?

The Local Pack and Knowledge Panel are prime areas where Google showcases business information for relevant searches. They hold significant value in local search results due to the high exposure businesses receive when featured in these sections.

The Knowledge Panel

When someone searches for your business on Google, your profile appears in the “Knowledge Panel,” a box on the right side of the search results page that displays information about your business, including its name, address and phone number.

Source: Semrush

Knowledge panels are updated automatically as information changes online, but Google also considers changes in two ways: directly from the entities featured in the knowledge panel and through user feedback.

Google Business Profile boxes are not knowledge panels, but they play a huge role in populating the Knowledge Panel. Optimizing your GBP offers you a better chance of appearing in this prominent position on search engine results pages (SERPs).

The Local Pack

The Local Pack, or 3-pack, is a section of the search results page that displays the top three local business listings relevant to the user’s query. These results are usually accompanied by a map and are displayed above organic search results.

Like the Knowledge Panel, optimizing your Google Business Profile increases your chances of appearing in the Local Pack for relevant searches, leading to more visibility and traffic to your website or physical location.

Why Is Google Business Profile Important for Local SEO?

Approximately 40,000 Google searches are carried out globally every second, and research suggests that 46% of these searches are driven by local intent.

What’s more, around 50% of users conducting a local search on their mobile device will visit a nearby business related to their query within 24 hours, with 78% of these searches leading to an offline sale shortly.

Why Should You Care? Google Business Profile ensures your company appears at the top of these results. Your listing will be displayed in the Local Pack, Knowledge Panel and Google Maps when users search for location-based keywords related to your business.

Source: BrightLocal

This prime real estate is highly coveted as 96% of local businesses are viewed at least 24 times per month in Search results, and 86% receive more than 25 in Maps (Bright Local).

Moreover, 49% of businesses receive more than 1,000 average Search views monthly, and 33% receive 1,000+ on Maps.

Whether customers use Search or Maps to find businesses, the top-ranked results are more likely to attract the most conversions. Quality photos, positive reviews and ratings could be the deciding factor for consumers when choosing your business over competitors.

So, if you aren’t already optimizing your Business Profile, you better get the ball rolling!

How Google Collects and Uses Information in Business Profiles

To ensure users have access to the most comprehensive and current information about places, Google showcases profiles (including Business Profiles) on Google Search, Google Maps and third-party websites and apps through an application programming interface (API) – a software that allows different systems to communicate with each other.

For example, prospects searching for your hotel online can access details you’ve inputted on your Business Profile, such as operating hours and precise location. Supplementary information you haven’t directly provided, like links to room rates or photos shared by previous guests, will also be shown.

Google sources this information from various places, often aggregating it from websites and public data, including:

• Publicly accessible information, like crawled web content (e.g., data from a business’ official website)
• Licensed third-party data
• User-contributed factual information (e.g., addresses, phone numbers) and content (e.g., photos, reviews), including profile claims by business owners through Google Business Profile
• Information derived from Google’s interactions with local places or businesses

This information helps Google offer more accurate and context-specific results and allows users to make well-informed decisions about places they are interested in.

The good news is that you can manage your business information on Google Search and Maps for free. To do this, you’ll need to create a Google Business Profile or claim an existing one (more on this later) and, most importantly, optimize your profile for improved local SEO.

What Does an Optimized Google Business Profile Look Like?

Before we discuss how to optimize your Google Business Profile, let’s take a look at this mock-up of an ideal GBP versus a poorly optimized one.

Source: Wordstream

In the example, Carl’s Electric lacks a profile picture, contains minimal information and has no customer reviews.

In contrast, Ernie’s Electric features a high-quality profile picture, a link to their website and essential details like business hours, address and customer reviews.

Given these differences, which business are you more likely to choose based on their Google Business Profile? If it isn’t already obvious, clear and complete profiles like Ernie’s Electric are more likely to attract potential customers.

Optimizing your Business Profile for online business is a simple yet powerful way to stand out from your competition and make a lasting impression on those searching for businesses like yours within their local area.

To Recap, an Optimized Google Business Profile:

• Has accurate and up-to-date business information.
• Uses high-quality images of business premises, products and services.
• Follows proper keyword optimization for improved search visibility.
• Has great customer reviews and actively responds to them (good or bad).
• Uses appropriate categories and attributes for better local search targeting.
• Links to business website and social media pages.

8 Common Issues Business Owners Face When Using Google Business Profiles

Despite the numerous benefits of using Google Business Profiles, there are some common obstacles that business owners may face when trying to optimize or create a Google Business Profile. These include:

1. Suspended GBP Accounts

Anything that violates Google’s guidelines can result in account suspension without warning, and reinstatement can be a time-consuming and challenging process.

Common Causes:

• Multiple businesses claiming to operate from the same address
• Inconsistent business name across GBP listings
• Multiple listings for the same business or location
• Inconsistent and inaccurate NAP (name, address and phone number) information
• Keyword stuffing
• No physical location

2. Bogus Competitor Listings

GBP spam or fakes are growing issues for businesses. Scammers impersonate legitimate companies and redirect customers to their services or products. Worse, consumers lose trust and confidence in your business when they have a negative experience with these scammers.

Common Causes:

• Marketers aiming to gain an advantage over rivals by offering consumers misleading contact details
• Scammers masquerading as legitimate businesses to extract money or personal information from online users

3. Unverified Listing at Risk of Being Claimed by Another Party

Failure to verify your GBP listing leaves it vulnerable to being claimed by another party. Not claiming ownership also means your business is non-existent on Google Maps, making it difficult for potential customers to find you.

Furthermore, your GBP information may be changed by third parties, such as competitors and public users. Such unauthorized changes can harm your brand reputation and lead to customer confusion.

Common Causes:

• A third party created the listing, and the business owner has not yet claimed ownership
• Failure to regularly check and update GBP information
• GBP suspension

4. Listing Claimed by a Third Party

If another party claims your business, you must file an ownership conflict report with Google. This can be time-consuming and may require legal action if the other party refuses to give up control of the listing.

Common Causes:

• Malicious intent from competitors or third parties
• Internal data breaches or employee misconduct

5. Google Business Profile Hijacking

Hijacking involves manipulating GBP listings to redirect traffic to another website or using your business name, location or other information without permission.

Common Causes:

• Lack of security measures on your GBP account
• Using a weak password for your GBP account
• Sharing sensitive account information with employees or third parties

6. Google Is Rejecting Your Content

Google enforces strict content guidelines to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information provided on Business Profiles. Your content can be rejected if it violates any of these guidelines.

Common Causes:

• Copyrighted or plagiarized content
• Vulgar or offensive language
• Inaccurate, irrelevant or duplicate content
• Spam or fake information

7. Duplicate Business Locations

Google suspends businesses that aren’t legally registered as separate establishments but share the same address.

Common Causes:

• Having multiple businesses listed in post office (P.O.) boxes
• Representing locations without proper authority
• Assigning different suite numbers to your business to create the illusion of multiple locations

8. Ineffective GBP Optimization Tactics

Google Business Profile is an excellent tool to drive targeted traffic to your website and improve search visibility. Without a solid optimization and management strategy, you could be wasting your time and resources.

Common Causes:

• Lack of understanding of Google’s guidelines for Business Profiles
• Ignoring guidelines and implementing black hat SEO strategies
• Neglecting to monitor and update GBP information regularly
• Untargeted keywords and content

Pro Tip: If your GBP listing gets suspended due to content and profile restrictions, check out Google’s guidelines on how to appeal for Business Profile content and profile restrictions.

In the next sections, we’ll learn the basics of creating and managing Google Business Profiles and best practices on how to optimize your Google Business Profile for improved local SEO.

How To Set Up Google Business Profile

In this section, we’ll cover the steps on how to create a Google Business Profile and verify your business.

How To Create a Google Business Profile From Scratch

To get started, make sure you have a functioning Google email address; we recommend using a professional email address with your business name.

Once you’ve logged in, head to the Google Business Profile page and follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the ‘Manage now’ button on the home page.

Source: Google Business Profile

Step 2: Add your business to Google.

If your business has been operational for a while, it’s probable that Google already has a listing for it based on available data online.

Search for your business name on Google to prevent duplicate listings. If it already exists, you can request ownership from Google.

In some cases, a listing already exists, but a third party, like your previous agency or employee, is managing it. Simply request access to the listing.

You’ll be asked to fill out a form, where you can select access level (management or ownership), relationship to the business and contact details. The current owner will receive an email notification of your request, and once it is approved, you’ll have access to the listing.

If a listing doesn’t exist for your business yet, complete the relevant details.

Step 3: Choose a business type.

You’ll be asked to choose from three business types. Choose all that applies to your company.

Step 4: Add your online store.

If you have an online store, you can add it here. We encourage adding your business URL, as this will be useful in attracting visitors to your site.

Step 5: Add a business category.

Select a business category that best describes your business – for example, bakery, salon or software company. This helps Google identify what queries you can rank for.

You can add up to 10 categories to your Business Profile anytime, but the first one you add will be your primary category.

Step 6: Enter your business address.

If you have a physical location, enter your business address where customers can visit you. Ensure the address is consistent in all local listings and platforms, including your website’s contact and social media pages.

Step 7: Verify your business based on Google’s suggestions.

If Google detects similar businesses in the area, it will ask you to select potential matches or add your business anyway. Choose whichever is applicable.

Step 8: Pin your location.

Google will ask you to pinpoint the location of your business on a map if you enter a physical address. Drag the red pin as close to your specific location as possible.

Step 9: Enter your phone number.

Add a phone number where customers can reach you. Again, this should be the same number used on other platforms like your website, social media pages and directory listings.

Step 10: Verify that you manage the business.

Google offers five ways to verify your business; however, the verification methods are predetermined and cannot be changed. The standard verification methods are:

• Phone or text: A code will be sent to your provided phone number.
• Email: An email will be sent to the address you’ve provided.
• Video recording: You’ll be asked to record a video showing your business location, equipment and proof of management.
• Live video call: Jump on a live video call with a Google support representative who will ask you to show your business location, equipment and proof of management.
• Postcard: If you select this option, a postcard with a verification code will be sent to your business address. You must enter this unique code on your Business Profile.

Step 11: Optimize your profile.

After verification, you’ll be asked to provide the following details:

• Business hours: Let people know when your business is open and closed. Set regular hours for each day of the week, plus any special hours.
• Messaging preference: Choose whether you prefer to receive messages from customers.
• Business description: Add up to 750 characters describing your business. This will appear in search results, maps and other Google services, so make it descriptive and unique.
• Add store photos: Upload high-quality images of your business, products or services to showcase your offer.
• Claim a $500 free advertising credit: As a welcome gift, Google offers new business owners a $500 credit to advertise their company through Google Ads.

Step 11: Wait to be verified.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, it may take up to a week for Google to review and verify your Business Profile.

How To Claim an Existing, Unverified Google Business Profile

Google auto-generates and updates business information automatically. An unmanaged, unverified listing of your business may already exist in Google’s database. Follow these four easy steps to claim your listing and add it to your dashboard:

1. Search for your company on Google Maps.
2. Click the Claim this Business or Own this business?

Source: Semrush

Note: If you can’t find either of the options, two possible reasons are:

• Another user has already claimed the listing. To claim a verified listing, contact the existing business manager. Refer to the next section for a step-by-step guide.
• You already manage the listing. Log into your Google account and go to your Business Profile Manager dashboard to check if the listing has already been assigned to your account.

3. Click the Manage Now button.

Source: Semrush

4. Verify your business. Again, you can verify your listing in five ways: phone, email, postcard, live video call and video recording.

Once Google has verified your business, you can manage and update the information on your Business Profile.

How To Request Access to a GBP Managed by Another User

If the listing for your business is already managed by someone else, you can request access to become a manager or owner of the Business Profile. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Head to the Create page and type in your business.
2. From the drop-down menu, select the business that you want to claim.

3. Request access. Google will verify if another email address owns the listing you want to claim.

If it belongs to your email, sign in, and you should gain access to the listing. If you’ve lost the login information for that email, check out Google’s Account Recovery guide.

If the email address doesn’t belong to you, hit the Request Access button.

4. Complete the form.

Google will ask for personal details, such as your name, contact number, needed access level and relationship to the business.

After submitting, the account holder managing your listing will receive your request and have three days to grant or reject your access request.

If you don’t receive a response, you may have already been granted permission to claim your profile. Visit your GBP manager dashboard and look for the option to claim your business.

Google will grant you full management access to your new business listing seven days after becoming the new owner.

How To Report a Suspicious Google Business Profile Account

Optimizing your Google Business Profile takes time and effort, so it can be disheartening to see spam listings rank higher than your legitimate business. Spam accounts can take various forms:

• A fake business created by a competitor
• A real business that pretends to be another business (or multiple businesses) in an attempt to rank higher for specific keywords
• An unclaimed yet legitimate listing that has incorrect or misleading information.

If you come across a spam account, here’s how to report it:

1. Go to Google Maps and find the spam listing.
2. Click Suggest an edit and then propose a change of name, address, category or other suspicious details.
3. If the listing is closed, non-existent or a dupe, you can choose Close or remove to report it for removal.

Source: Hostinger

4. Click Submit.

Another alternative is to submit a Business Redressal complaint form. You can report listings that violate Google’s policies or guidelines, including spam accounts, fraudulent activity and misleading information.

Google Business Profile Ranking Factors (as per Google Guidelines)

Local search results prioritize the most relevant outcomes for each query, meaning that establishments offering detailed and accurate information are more likely to be matched with the right searches.

Google determines local ranking based primarily on three factors:

Relevance

Relevance is how well your business matches the search query. To improve relevance, make sure you have a complete and accurate Business Profile that includes your business category, services offered, address and phone number.

Distance

Distance is how far each search result is from the location term used in a search query. If a user doesn’t specify a location, Google will calculate distance based on what’s known about their location.

Prominence

Prominence is how well-known or highly-regarded your business is. Some of the factors that contribute to prominence include:

• Receiving more reviews and ratings
• Being mentioned in news articles, blogs or other online publications
• Being listed in reputable directories and listings
• Having a strong online presence through social media and website content
• Position in web results

While Google’s search algorithm details are confidential, focusing on these key factors can help improve your Business Profile’s discoverability.

13 Google Business Profile Optimization Steps To Boost Your Local SEO

Optimizing Google Business Profile for online business is a critical digital marketing tactic, and yet most Business Profiles only average 1,260 views with 59 actions taken per listing (Bright Local).

To beat these odds and rank higher in the Google 3-Pack, we recommend following these tips on how to optimize your Google Business Profile.

Step 1: Keep Your Business Information Complete and Accurate

Google Business Profiles with complete information are seven times more likely to be clicked than incomplete ones (Cube Creative). Regularly check and update your business information and ensure it matches the details on your website and local web directories.

Discrepancies in your business information can harm your ranking and affect potential traffic and lead opportunities. Keep your NAP information consistent across the web to build trust with Google’s algorithm.

Here’s a quick listing checklist to help you get started:

Business Name: Enter your business name as it appears on your business card or how you usually refer to it.
Primary Category: Choose the main category that best represents your business.
Secondary Category: Select all applicable secondary categories for your company.
Address: Provide the physical address on the first line and include suite numbers on the second line.
Service Area: Specify the cities, postal codes or regions your business serves (if applicable).
Phone Number: Add a local phone number directly connecting to your business.
Website: Use the exact URL of the page, including HTTP or HTTPS.
Business Hours: Set regular and special hours for each day of the week.
Appointment URL: Add the URL of your website’s contact page.
Business Attributes: Indicate the attributes that best describe your business (e.g., “wheelchair accessible,” “free wifi,” “outdoor seating”).
Store Codes: These codes are useful for multi-location businesses managing listings (only include bulk-uploading locations).
Labels: Organize listings by adding labels (ideal for multi-location companies).
Google Ads Locations Extensions Phone: Leave this blank unless you actively run a Google Ads campaign with a dedicated Google forwarding number.

In the next sections, we’ll discuss these listing elements in more detail and provide tips on how to make Google Business Profile for online business more manageable.

Step 2: Use a Local Number (Primary + Additional Phone Numbers)

Phone calls serve as a critical conversion path for local and multi-location businesses. Invoca offers an overview of how calls influence customer engagement in different industries.

Use a local phone number under your business’s control and display it on the landing page linked to your GBP listing. Adding a secondary number can also benefit businesses that receive a daily influx of calls.

Call forwarding is also a great option as it improves productivity by answering more calls, especially during off-hours or when you’re unavailable. Incoming calls are redirected to an alternate number, ensuring you never miss a beat when someone calls your business for inquiries or appointments.

Many SEO specialists also use call tracking to document calls and track essential information like lead types and call productivity. However, with Google removing the call tracking feature in July 2023, you’ll need to find another platform that offers the service.

Here’s how to use call tracking while keeping your information consistent across your profiles:

1. Navigate to Edit Profile in your Google Business Profile.
2. Go to the Contact section.
3. Add your call tracking number as the primary phone number and your standard business number as the additional one.

Source: Semrush

Adding your main contact number as an additional number ensures it remains connected to your business information without affecting NAP consistency.

Pro Tip: Double-check your phone numbers on your landing pages to ensure customers are patched to the right line. This way, you don’t get reported and penalized for incorrect or outdated information. .

Step 3: Choose a Specific Business Category (Primary and Secondary)

Choosing the right primary and secondary categories is crucial for your business to appear in local search results. Google Business Profile provides more than 4,000 categories to choose from, so be sure to select the one that accurately reflects your niche.

According to Google Business Profile guidelines, your primary category should be as specific as possible to your business type. The more specific the category, the less competition you will have and the higher the chances of appearing at the top of Google search.

Unfortunately, you cannot create a new category, so if the one you want isn’t available, choose a more general category closest to your business offerings.

Pro Tip:Research is key to choosing the appropriate category. Start by looking at your competitors’ Business Profiles and analyze their chosen categories. You can also use keyword research tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to get more insights into popular keywords related to your business category. Although you can choose up to 10 secondary categories, we recommend sticking to a few specific, highly relevant categories. Usually, only the primary category is visible, but you can use Chrome extensions like GMB Everywhere to display secondary categories. Source: Google Maps .

Step 4: Write a Comprehensive “From the Business” Description

The brief description under your business name is pre-written by Google using information sourced from your website and other online data.

Source: Nike NYC

But while this section is not under your control, Google provides a “from the business” section in your GBP account dashboard.

Source: Thrive Internet Marketing Agency

Follow these dos and don’ts for optimizing the “from the business” section of your Google Business Profile:

Read Google Business Profile guidelines on representing your company online for more information.

Step 5: Add Special Attributes

Special attributes are additional categories that tell more about your business. It allows you to share whether your company offers outdoor seating, accepts reservations or caters to specific diets, much like what Joe’s Pizza did here:

Source: Joe’s Pizza

If you’re a retail store with an online and physical location like IKEA, you can add attributes like in-store shopping, pickup and delivery.

Source: IKEA

To edit attributes, go to your GBP dashboard > Edit Profile > More.

Here, you can add special attributes like accessibility, amenities, dining options, payment methods and other categories applicable to your business.

Step 6: Feature Products and Services

Show customers what they can expect from you by featuring your products and services on your Google Business Profile.

To feature products:

1. Go to your GBP dashboard > Edit Products.

2. Click Get started.

3. Add photos, descriptions, categories, prices and a product landing page URL.

Pro Tip:Create multiple product categories and group-related products for a more curated experience.

Source: Hostinger

To feature services:

1. Go to your GBP dashboard > Edit Services.

2. Choose from the service suggestions or create a 2. Choose from the service suggestions or create a custom service.

3. Click Save.
4 . Choose a specific service to edit.

5. Edit service details by adding a pricing option and service description.

Step 7: Follow Google Business Profile Guidelines for Uploading Photos and Videos

Invest in professional-quality photos and videos to boost your Google Business Profile’s click-through rate. These visual assets give prospects a window into your business and entice them to visit or purchase.

But, before you upload, remember that Google has strict guidelines for images and videos.

GBP Photo Guidelines

• Format: JPG or PNG
• Size: 10KB to 5MB
• Recommended resolution: 720 px tall, 720 px wide
• Minimum resolution: 250 px tall, 250 px wide

Pro Tip:When capturing a photo, ensure it is clear, well-lit and unaltered, without excessive filters. Businesses with multiple locations can upload pictures in bulk via a spreadsheet. If you have a physical location, add an exterior photo of your business so people can recognize it when they visit.

GBP Video Guidelines

• Duration: Up to 30 seconds long
• File size: Up to 75 MB
• Resolution: 720p or higher

Types of Images You Can Add to Your Business Profile

There are several types of photos you can add to your Business Profile:

• Logo: Helps customers recognize your business on Google, especially for companies with basic information like a phone number or hours of operation.
• Cover photo: Sets a representative photo at the top of your profile, although it may not always appear as the first image for your business.
• Business photos: Various photos showcase different features of your business, aiming to attract and inform customers.

Step 8: Post Relevant Content on Your GBP Posts

Leverage your Google Business Profile to share your brand’s latest news, offers and events. Actively publishing posts can keep your business fresh in potential customers’ minds and show Google that you’re a legitimate business.

Here’s how content is displayed on your GBP listing:

Source: Thrive Internet Marketing Agency

Here are the types of content you can publish in your GBP posts:

• Events: Use events to promote a sale, grand opening or community event.
• Offers: Share promotional discounts and coupons for customers.
• Product updates: Keep customers informed about new product launches or changes.
• Blog previews: If you have an active blog or resource section, you can use Posts to share previews of new resources. The post would then direct people to the full article on your website.
• Showcase Review: The reviews you’ve received are valuable assets. Highlighting your top ones in a post is an excellent strategy to increase exposure.
• Q & A Posts: Answer customer’s most frequently asked questions and provide valuable information about your business.

Whatever you’re posting, be sure to end every post with a clear call-to-action (CTA) button so online users can easily access your content.

Pro Tip: When’s the best time to post? Aim to post first thing in the morning or on the busier days of the week for your business. This is when potential customers are most likely to see it right away. How often should I be posting? Three to four times a week and once daily is ideal for most businesses. Don’t overdo it, as Google may flag your business as spammy and keep content unique so users stay engaged. The best time to post is first thing in the morning or on your business days.

Step 9: Setup Messaging

Google Business Profile can also serve as a communication channel between your business and customers. With the messaging feature, customers can message you directly from your profile anytime.

Here’s what you can do with the chat feature:

• Get notifications for messages in your Business Profile.
• Customize the automated welcome message for customers.
• Share photos with customers in the chat.
• Multiple owners or managers can chat with customers.
• Customers can find your Business Name in the chat.
• Manage automatic away messages (currently available to some users).
• Turn message read receipts on or off.

To enable messaging on Search:

1. Go to your Business Profile.
2. Click Messages.
3. Click Menu > Chat Settings.
4. Turn ON or OFF chat messaging.

Important Reminder: Reply to messages within 24 hours to build trust and encourage engagement. Failing to do so may result in Google deactivating chat for your business.

Step 10: Add Links to Socials

Share more information about your business by adding links to your social media profiles in your Google Business Profile. This way, customers can quickly follow you for the latest updates and promotions.

You can add one link to each social media site to your profile:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn
• Tiktok
• X (formerly Twitter)
• YouTube

To add links to socials on your Google Business Profile:

1. Access your GBP dashboard.
2. Navigate to Edit Profile > Business Information > Contact.
3. For editing, select Social profiles.

4. Choose the desired social media link from the options.

5. Add the link to the web address field.

6. Hit Save.

Step 11: Monitor Your Business Profile’s Q&A Section

The Google Q&A section presents a great opportunity for your company to engage with customers, address concerns and boost local exposure. Additionally, Google values new and informative content. Engaging in the Q&A not only benefits in this regard but also demonstrates to users that you are active and helpful.

Source: Hostinger

Remember, the Q&A section is community-based so that anyone can ask and answer questions. Google won’t notify you when a new question is asked, so make it a habit to check your Q&A section regularly to prevent misinformation and inaccurate responses from users.

Moreover, Google utilizes past responses and customer reviews to generate auto-answers for frequently asked questions, so keep an eye out for these auto-generated responses.

Pro Tip: Use the Q&A section to showcase your expertise and provide helpful information about your business. Subtly insert services or offerings when addressing a question. For example, “Yes, we do offer that service. Please visit our website for more information,” or “Yes, our product comes in various sizes. Check out our website for the full range.”

Step 12: Manage, Generate and Respond to Google Business Profile Reviews

Reviews act as social proof of your business’ reputation. They can significantly impact consumers’ perception and decision-making process, so it’s important to monitor and respond to Google Business Profile reviews regularly.

A Trust Pilot study found that 89% of global consumers say checking online reviews is part of their buying journey. Similarly, 95% of consumers read online reviews before purchasing a product (Global Newswire).

While customers can review your business on your Business Profile or Google Maps, you can also share your review link by adding it to email templates, posting it on social media or creating a shortened link for in-store signage.

To share your unique Google Reviews link:

1. Go to your GBP dashboard.
2. Click Ask for reviews.

Source: Hootsuite

3. Copy your link and share it with customers so they can leave reviews.

Source: Hootsuite

Pro Tip: Use a URL shortener to create a custom link that’s easy to share. For example, you can turn your URL into a shortened link like “bit.ly/YourBusinessNameReviews.”

When responding to reviews (good or bad), remember to:

• Thank the reviewer for their feedback.
• Address any specific concerns or issues mentioned in the review.
• Apologize and offer a solution if necessary.
• Keep your tone professional and friendly.
• Avoid generic responses – personalize them when possible.
• Respond promptly.

Step 13: Monitor Your GBP Performance

Don’t let your hard work go to waste – tracking and reporting the performance of your Google Business Profile allows you to gain actionable insights for future GBP optimization efforts.

How To Track Your GBP Performance

1. Log into your Business Profile dashboard.
2. To find your report, navigate to:

○ In Google Search: select Performance.
○ In Google Maps: select Promote > Performance.

3.Choose a date range for your report at the top > click Apply to save changes.

How To Access Insights in Bulk

For multi-location businesses, tracking insights in bulk can save time and provide a clearer overview of your online presence. To access insights for multiple locations at once:

1. Sign in to Google Business Profile on your computer.
2. Choose the profiles for which you wish to download a comprehensive Insights report.
3. Click on the Download Insights button above the list of locations.
4. Select the desired time frame for your Insights data and initiate the download by clicking on the bottom right corner of the screen.
5. Your report will start downloading automatically in a new tab. Once the download is complete, you can close the tab.

Available GBP Performance Metrics

In the business performance report, you can monitor specific profile interactions such as:

Pro Tip: With Google Business Profile, hotel owners can easily compare their rates with competitors. The Performance page overviews the average cheapest rate across providers for the next 30 days. By checking the comparison details, you can see how your hotel’s most affordable rate stacks up against others daily.

Best Practices for Optimizing Your Google Business Profile

We’ve discussed the basics for creating and optimizing a Google Business Profile. As a bonus, here are some best practices to ensure your listing ranks and stays at the top of SERPs:

1. Create Location Pages for Each Store

Location or local landing pages are web pages specific to a geographical area. These pages are utilized by service area businesses (SABs), franchisees and multi-location companies to enhance their local SEO strategies and ensure visibility in location-specific search results.

City pages, a type of location page, for instance, are effective for targeting geo-specific keywords and directing targeted leads and traffic from your GBP listings.

Pro Tip: Optimize your location page with these elements: ✓ Add geo-targeted keywords in the business description, relevant business categories, GBP posts, product and service descriptions, etc. ✓ Create a separate web page for each store location with accurate NAP information that Google can crawl. ✓ Add location-specific images, services and business hours. ✓ Write localized content for each page (e.g., mention city-specific events, local businesses you partner with, historical landmarks, etc.). ✓ Feature local customer reviews. ✓ Embed a Google map to make it easier for customers to find your location. ✓ Include customer reviews and testimonials to showcase your reputation. ✓ Include relevant CTAs.

2. Apply for Google Guarantee

A Google Guarantee badge is awarded to businesses that pass a Google screening and verification process through Local Service Ads or credited partners.

The certification aims to instill buyer confidence by promising reimbursement for unsatisfactory services up to a certain amount. Note that it is entirely in Google’s discretion if customers are reimbursed.

If a customer provides a valid claim, Google will reimburse up to the job invoice amount (excluding taxes and tips) until the lifetime cap for coverage has been reached. This doesn’t include add-ons, property damages, price dissatisfaction or cancellations.

Harness the Power of Google Business Profile for Improved Local SEO

Google Business Profile is a powerful marketing tool that offers lucrative benefits for businesses of all sizes. It keeps your brand top-of-mind for prospective customers, improves search ranking and increases online visibility.

However, poor management and ineffective optimization tactics can lead to missed opportunities and harm your online reputation.

Thrive Internet Marketing Agency, a full-service digital marketing agency, can help you build and optimize your Google Business Profile for improved local SEO results.

Partner with Thrive’s SEO professionals to unlock the full potential of your Google Business Profile, drive targeted traffic, enhance brand awareness and boost conversions for your business.

How Thrive’s GBP Professionals Cracked the Code

Hiring professionally managed GBP services is a smart choice if you want to increase your online presence and ensure success across different locations. Here’s why:

CASE STUDY 1: A Multiple-Location Property Restoration Company

A property restoration company with over 180 locations throughout the U.S. sought assistance developing and implementing personalized digital marketing strategies for each service location. Their objective was to increase lead generation, drive phone calls and expand services for corporate and franchise accounts.

Since taking charge of the franchise’s SEO campaign, Thrive has successfully generated 89,422 leads, 107,614 organic traffic and 276,457 new website users. Thrive’s SEO experts optimized the GMB listings for each franchisee, ensuring accurate and up-to-date NAP and service details across all locations. One of the team’s key priorities was strengthening its presence on Google.

CASE STUDY 2: Multi-Location Restoration and Reconstruction Firm

A restoration and reconstruction company with multiple locations needed help enhancing its brand awareness and local rankings across 22 locations nationwide. They partnered with Thrive for support in SEO, PPC management, social media advertising and online reputation management.

Since Thrive took over its digital marketing campaign, organic search traffic has increased by 93.46% YoY, and the top 5 keyword rankings have risen by 295.69%. Additionally, goal competitions increased by 100%.

The initial focus of Thrive’s digital marketing service was to improve local SEO and GMB rankings for all 22 locations. Thrive’s SEO team updated the company’s website links on local citations and implemented localized GMB optimization campaigns to establish a consistent brand identity and leverage all customer touchpoints, ultimately improving the company’s online performance.

Want to see the same success for your business? Contact Thrive today and let our SEO professionals help you harness the power of Google Business Profile for improved local SEO.

Google Business Profile FAQs

]]> https://azinseo.com/google-business-profile-a-local-seo-essential/feed/ 0 https://azinseo.com/a-guide-to-google-seo-algorithm-updates/ https://azinseo.com/a-guide-to-google-seo-algorithm-updates/#respond Tue, 24 Sep 2019 09:23:05 +0000 http://wpdemo.archiwp.com/onum/?p=26 In the realm of startup ventures, a crucial decision often lies in the realm of SEO engagement. For those in the USA, Europe, or elsewhere, the considerations are similar: weighing the costs against the potential benefits. The world of SEO can seem like a labyrinth of jargon and strategies, particularly for those new to the online commerce scene. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur navigating these waters, this piece is tailored for you.

Why should you care about SEO?

Firstly, it’s a cost-effective marketing tool. Compared to alternatives like social media marketing or pay-per-click advertising, SEO typically offers better returns on investment. While there’s an initial outlay for SEO planning, including website design, coding, and strategic planning, the results tend to be both faster and more enduring. So, if you’re looking for a marketing approach that packs a punch without breaking the bank, SEO might just be your ticket.

“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure. It is: Try to please everybody.”
– Herbert Bayard Swope

Implementing SEO strategies help you to rank higher on the search engine’s results page (SERP). This means that when your target customers search for products and services that your industry offers, they are likely to find your website. When you repeatedly appear on the SERP, users become aware of your site and your business. This increases the chances of landing potential customers on your webpages.

SEO is a Cost-Effective Advertising Strategy

One SEO component called off-site SEO ensures that users of external pages or of social media can find your website. Being optimized for SEO increases the site’s potential to draw customers from other platforms other than the search engine. For instance, when you post content and links to your page on Facebook or Twitter, you are able to promote your website and attract more customers. One of the main goals of SEO is to attract the targeted audience through organic searches. The number of visitors to your site influences your sales and subscriptions. It also promotes the marketing of your products and services. Increased inbound traffic is always good for business because it equates to more conversion opportunities.

Some SEO-related tools such as the Google Keyword Planner and Google Analytics provide quantitative data to help you understand your market, analyze the trends, and know your competitors’ standings. It helps you identify popular and valuable keywords so you can decide how to structure or revise your content. It also gives you insights on your market’s behavior such as location, times of activity, frequency of searches, technologies used, product preferences, etc. All these metrics are useful in helping you get to know your audience, their needs, and their expectations.

O One of the principal decisions that startup owners have to make is whether or not to engage in SEO. One common consideration is the cost of investing in an SEO campaign versus possible returns. Another is the daunting list of SEO terminologies, which may overwhelm newcomers to the e-commerce and website scene. If you are a new online entrepreneur but are not convinced of the benefits of SEO, then this article is for you! Here are some of the reasons why SEO is important and why you should consider it as a marketing technique. SEO is less expensive than other online marketing approaches. It also offers higher reward rates when compared to other techniques such as social media marketing, pay per click advertising, and email marketing. While you may need to defray a substantial amount to cover initial SEO planning and processes that include website design, programming, and strategizing, you can be sure to get faster and more long-term results.

“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure. It is: Try to please everybody.”
– Herbert Bayard Swope

Implementing SEO strategies help you to rank higher on the search engine’s results page (SERP). This means that when your target customers search for products and services that your industry offers, they are likely to find your website. When you repeatedly appear on the SERP, users become aware of your site and your business. This increases the chances of landing potential customers on your webpages.

SEO is a Cost-Effective Advertising Strategy

One SEO component called off-site SEO ensures that users of external pages or of social media can find your website. Being optimized for SEO increases the site’s potential to draw customers from other platforms other than the search engine. For instance, when you post content and links to your page on Facebook or Twitter, you are able to promote your website and attract more customers. One of the main goals of SEO is to attract the targeted audience through organic searches. The number of visitors to your site influences your sales and subscriptions. It also promotes the marketing of your products and services. Increased inbound traffic is always good for business because it equates to more conversion opportunities.

Some SEO-related tools such as the Google Keyword Planner and Google Analytics provide quantitative data to help you understand your market, analyze the trends, and know your competitors’ standings. It helps you identify popular and valuable keywords so you can decide how to structure or revise your content. It also gives you insights on your market’s behavior such as location, times of activity, frequency of searches, technologies used, product preferences, etc. All these metrics are useful in helping you get to know your audience, their needs, and their expectations.

“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure. It is: Try to please everybody.”
– Herbert Bayard Swope

Implementing SEO strategies help you to rank higher on the search engine’s results page (SERP). This means that when your target customers search for products and services that your industry offers, they are likely to find your website. When you repeatedly appear on the SERP, users become aware of your site and your business. This increases the chances of landing potential customers on your webpages.

SEO is a Cost-Effective Advertising Strategy

One SEO component called off-site SEO ensures that users of external pages or of social media can find your website. Being optimized for SEO increases the site’s potential to draw customers from other platforms other than the search engine. For instance, when you post content and links to your page on Facebook or Twitter, you are able to promote your website and attract more customers. One of the main goals of SEO is to attract the targeted audience through organic searches. The number of visitors to your site influences your sales and subscriptions. It also promotes the marketing of your products and services. Increased inbound traffic is always good for business because it equates to more conversion opportunities.

Some SEO-related tools such as the Google Keyword Planner and Google Analytics provide quantitative data to help you understand your market, analyze the trends, and know your competitors’ standings. It helps you identify popular and valuable keywords so you can decide how to structure or revise your content. It also gives you insights on your market’s behavior such as location, times of activity, frequency of searches, technologies used, product preferences, etc. All these metrics are useful in helping you get to know your audience, their needs, and their expectations.

“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure. It is: Try to please everybody.”
– Herbert Bayard Swope

Implementing SEO strategies help you to rank higher on the search engine’s results page (SERP). This means that when your target customers search for products and services that your industry offers, they are likely to find your website. When you repeatedly appear on the SERP, users become aware of your site and your business. This increases the chances of landing potential customers on your webpages.

SEO is a Cost-Effective Advertising Strategy

One SEO component called off-site SEO ensures that users of external pages or of social media can find your website. Being optimized for SEO increases the site’s potential to draw customers from other platforms other than the search engine. For instance, when you post content and links to your page on Facebook or Twitter, you are able to promote your website and attract more customers. One of the main goals of SEO is to attract the targeted audience through organic searches. The number of visitors to your site influences your sales and subscriptions. It also promotes the marketing of your products and services. Increased inbound traffic is always good for business because it equates to more conversion opportunities.

Some SEO-related tools such as the Google Keyword Planner and Google Analytics provide quantitative data to help you understand your market, analyze the trends, and know your competitors’ standings. It helps you identify popular and valuable keywords so you can decide how to structure or revise your content. It also gives you insights on your market’s behavior such as location, times of activity, frequency of searches, technologies used, product preferences, etc. All these metrics are useful in helping you get to know your audience, their needs, and their expectations.