Google Local: What Is It and Why is it Important to My Website

Google My Business

The visibility of your business has always been important, and now that the internet is arguably the most popular way for customer marketing strategy. At Buer Interactive, we’re familiar with the tools your business needs to be visible on the web, especially on Google. Using Google My Business is becoming highly important for businesses to be found online. As Houston web development, design, and SEO firm, we get questions frequently about utilizing Google My Business and we’ve compiled the information below to help answer any questions you may have. If you have further questions or wish to speak with one of our Houston web development professionals to discuss your business goals, our contact information can be found below.

Google is the number-one used search engine worldwide and becoming extremely important to the growth of businesses worldwide. Google offers a number of tools for businesses to utilize, and when business utilize these tools correctly, their websites rank higher and do better overall. Google My Business is a highly powerful tool when it comes to customers finding your local business

What IS Google My Business? This is Google’s business listing system. The listing includes the name of the business, phone number, address, and website. Your Google My Business listing will contain everything a potential customer needs to get in contact with your business, including a directions powered by Google Maps.

How Do I Get a Google My Business Listing? Many listings are already on Google, either automatically or user generated, and you can claim your listing on Google My Business by following the “Claim This Business” instructions. You can also create your own Google My Business listing from scratch by signing up for Google My Business and following their simple instructions. You will get a one-time-use card in the mail at your business address which you will enter in and verify that your business is a real place. Once this step is complete, you will have control over your listing and can make edits, add photos, respond to reviews, and more.

How Can I Integrate Google Tools Like Google My Business Into My WordPress Site? Your Houston web development team will be able to integrate your Google My Business listing with your WordPress website to ensure that your website has the best chance of being found by Google users and to direct customers to your business location. WordPress offers a variety of plugins to make this process easier. Here a some plugins that come highly recommended by web developers of Houston:

WP Google Maps This WordPress plugin allows you to create customized Google Maps directly on your website with custom map markers, routes, and delivery areas. This is the most popular WordPress plugin for Google Maps and it is easy to see why. There are both free and paid versions, and both versions come with the following features:

Allows users to create as many maps as wanted or needed
Supports Google Street View
Choose from roadmap, satellite, terrain, or hybrid map options
Maps are responsive
Full-screen map functionality

Local SEO by YOAST While not a Google-specific plugin, Local SEO by YOAST helps you set up your website in a way that will help your website rank higher on search engines, including Google My Business. Utilizing this plugin will help with your overall SEO efforts as well as working cohesively with your Google My Business efforts. This plugin:

Inserts Google Maps
Has a “store locator” option for customers to find out if your location(s) is near them.
Inserts the address of your company in a clear and uniform way, which is necessary for search engines
Includes your business hours

Google Places Reviews Integrating your business’ Google reviews on your website strengthens your credibility, as people know that Google-reviews are user-generated and not created by website owners. Ask your Houston website development professional about installing the Google Places Reviews on your website. This plugin features:

Reviews – displays up to 3 business reviews per location
Wide varieties of themes to select from
Integrates your Google+ information seamlessly
This app is regularly maintained by developers who are consistently working on this plugin to make it better and offer superior support when needed.

Google My Business and other tools provided by Google are not only a better way to strengthen your SEO, using these trusted tools significantly impact your credibility and help your potential customers gain trust in your business. This ultimately leads to more conversions for your company! If you have any questions about utilizing Google My Business or any other Google tools, reach out to one of our Houston web development professionals today. We’re glad to help.

Buer Interactive – Houston Website Design, Web Development, and Search Engine Optimization
5850 San Felipe Street
Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057
(832) 699-3631
https://buerinteractive.com/