• Hillary Plauche
• advanced SEO tips, business growth, GMB optimization, Google My Business SEO, local seo, outrank competitors, search engine optimization
• 0 Comments
• 661 Views

Introduction

So, you’ve got your Google My Business profile all set up, and you’re feeling pretty good. 🎉 But guess what? So do your competitors. 😏 If you want to outrank them (and yes, you do), it’s time to level up with some advanced GMB SEO strategies. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill tips—they’re the secret sauce to boost your local rankings and become the talk of the town (or at least the top of the search results). Ready to blow past the competition? Let’s do this! 🏆

1. Optimize Your Business Description with Keywords

Your business description isn’t just a throwaway paragraph about who you are. It’s prime real estate for SEO—think of it as your business’s elevator pitch with a sprinkle of keywords.

• How to Do It: Add local keywords that describe what you do and where you do it. For example, if you run a bakery in Chicago, don’t just say “best cakes in town.” Try “Chicago bakery known for its handcrafted cakes and gluten-free options.”
• Avoid This: Don’t stuff your description with so many keywords that it reads like a robot wrote it. Google doesn’t like it, and neither will your customers.

Pro Tip: Use long-tail keywords that reflect customer intent, like “affordable custom cakes in Chicago.” It’s less competitive and more targeted.

2. Consistently Update Your Photos

Google loves fresh content, and guess what? So do your customers. If you haven’t updated your GMB photos since 2016, it’s time to give your profile a facelift. 📸

• How It Helps: Updating your photos regularly signals to Google that your business is active and engaged. It also gives potential customers a peek into what’s new—whether that’s a fresh menu item or a new collection at your store.
• What Works: Include high-quality shots of your products, services, and even happy customers (with their permission, of course). If you’ve done any renovations or rebranding, update your photos ASAP.

Pro Tip: Upload photos with relevant file names like “best-cakes-chicago.jpg” to give your SEO a tiny nudge.

3. Use UTM Codes to Track Website Traffic

Want to know exactly where your website traffic is coming from? UTM codes are your new best friend. These little tracking tags help you figure out which platforms are sending customers your way.

• How It Helps: By adding UTM codes to the website link in your GMB profile, you can track how many visitors are coming to your site via Google My Business. You’ll be able to see which posts or updates drive the most clicks and conversions.
• What to Do: Create custom UTM codes for different campaigns or promotions. For example, if you’re running a GMB post about a holiday sale, your UTM code might look like this: “utm_campaign=holiday_sale&utm_source=gmb.”

Pro Tip: Check out Google Analytics for detailed reports on how GMB traffic is interacting with your website.

4. Leverage Reviews for SEO Power

Reviews aren’t just for bragging rights—they’re an essential part of your SEO strategy. Customers are more likely to click on businesses with lots of glowing reviews, and Google takes notice too.

• What Works: Encourage your happy customers to leave reviews, and when they do, make sure to respond to every single one (even the not-so-happy ones). Google rewards businesses that engage with customers.
• How It Helps: When responding to reviews, sneak in some keywords. For example, “We’re thrilled you loved our gluten-free cupcakes here at our Chicago bakery!” That helps reinforce your location and services.

Pro Tip: Ask customers to mention specific products or services in their reviews. It’s great for your SEO, and it feels more authentic.

Conclusion

Want to outrank the competition? It’s all about going the extra mile with advanced GMB SEO strategies. From keyword-packed descriptions to fresh photos and smart tracking, these tips will help you climb the local rankings and leave your competitors in the dust. Ready to see your business at the top? 🏆🚀 Time to put these tips into action!

Is your Google My Business profile holding you back? Find out with our Free GMB Audit Report! We’ll show you exactly where you’re not optimized and provide actionable insights to help you rise to the top of local search results.

Claim your free report now and start improving your online presence today!

Hillary Plauche

administrator

Hillary is the founder of Rank Boost Media, a no-BS marketing agency specializing in Google My Business optimization, local SEO, and helping service-based businesses dominate "near me" searches. With a sharp eye for strategy and a knack for cutting through the noise, Hillary helps businesses get real, measurable results—no gimmicks, no empty promises. When not optimizing rankings and making Google work for local businesses, you can find Hillary crafting witty marketing memes, sipping on coffee, or networking with business owners to help them grow. Want to boost your visibility and turn clicks into customers? Let’s talk.