Whatever your industry, being visible on Google has become a must.
How many times have you wanted to see your shop come up first on Google?
Today we're going to talk about your local SEO, a golden opportunity for your rental shop.
According to Google, 50% of consumers who ran a local search on their smartphone visited a shop within a day
In short, improving your online visibility brings more people into your shop 🤔
To help with that, Google has created an amazing tool that lets you build your online ID card: Google My Business (or GMB for the pros).
GMB lets you create THE listing for your business that shows up in search results. It is, in a way, your ID card on the Internet.
80% of consumers use Google for local searches
Let's go over the key things to know about Google My Business to come out on top in local search.
1. Why it's (super) important
Local SEO
When someone searches on Google, it tries to give the most relevant answer possible. Since local searches make up a large share of all searches, Google My Business listings are usually what comes up.
Example: I want to rent a bike in La Baule. I search Google for "bike rental La Baule". Google shows me all the bike rental businesses in La Baule, with a map of their Google My Business listings. You get the same results when you search directly in Google Maps.
A stronger online presence
It is much easier to get visible through Google My Business than through your website. A website takes time and patience before it shows up in the top search results.
A GMB (Google My Business) listing is also a great way to drive traffic to your website. Because your website is prominently displayed on your listing, users can get more information there. They can see your products or book online.
An optimised GMB page saves time for your customers and for you. It's free, and it ends up making you money because you get more people coming into your shop 😄
Get detailed statistics and track how your rental shop is doing on Google
2. The checklist for a good Google My Business listing
Let's not forget the purpose of this listing: making your service easy to discover and understand.
Here is a short checklist for top visibility.
✅ Your reviews
Customer reviews are very important for your shop's reputation.
According to Moz's Local Search Ranking Factors, customer reviews are the 3rd factor influencing a business's ranking in local search results.
💡- Lokki's tip
Ask your customers to leave you a Google review after every equipment rental.
Important: reply to reviews, especially negative ones, staying polite and understanding, and offer a compromise for the most negative ones.
✅ Your photos
A picture is worth a thousand words
A classic, but essential. Choose your photos carefully and look after them. They will make future customers want to come, and they can show your whole service at a glance.
Blue Bikes in Saint-Tropez showcases its rentals and its shop. Great images and a clear presentation of its service to attract new customers 😁
✅ Your opening hours
It sounds obvious, but when you change your opening hours, update them on Google straight away.
And above all, on public holidays, say whether you are open or closed. By default, Google will show that your shop "may be closed". If that's not the case, add your special opening hours so you don't lose customers 😉
✅ Bonus: Create Google posts
Google now lets you create posts on your GMB listing.
Share offers related to your rental shop with your future customers.
Got a current offer? Post it and it will be visible in search results and on Google Maps. Post all your new products, events and prices for quick visibility.
💡- Lokki's tip
As soon as you have a high-value offer (promotion, offer of the moment, etc.), share it in a Google post.
Google My Business is such an easy and powerful tool that it can quickly boost your local visibility. Don't overlook it 😉
PS: if you don't have a GMB listing yet, now is the time to get started. You'll find step-by-step instructions to sign up here 😊
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