If you had an online tool that was completely free, built into the largest search engine on the internet and would help improve your SEO, wouldn’t you use it?
Great! Then you already have a Google My Business page, right?
NO? What are you waiting for?
First, if you have not done so already, you have to “claim” your entity/church/business. If you don’t, Google, being Google, takes its best “guess” about your organization. You don’t want that to happen! You want to be in control of your online presence.
And don’t worry, it’s not just for businesses.
It’s for any community wanting to connect with others in a physical space.
Click here for the video version of this post!
Signing up is easy, (and did we mention FREE?) and it essentially gives you a mini website.
Easy Essential Setup
You can set up the essentials like:
- Your location – so you’re easily found on a Google map!
- Worship Times! (aka business hours)
- Contact information – phone numbers, email addresses
- Link to website address
- Photos – be sure to upload interesting, captivating photos, preferably with faces!
Following the easy step by step instructions for setup will have your church or community listed in no time.
By making best use of the categories available, your community will popup in search listings when people google for example, “churches near me”.
Improves SEO
Google wants “your business”, aka your traffic.
So it’s almost a no-brainer that making the best use of a Google My Business (GMB) page will improve your ranking with Google in general.
By claiming your community name and establishing your profile you are essentially adding high quality backlinks to your website.
This is an excellent way to build trust with those elusive search engine algorithms.
Geographic Searches are Important Again
Establishing your GMB profile will allow you to appear in a “churches near me” Google search when any potential faith community seekers type that in.
In the post-pandemic season, in person worship, events and gatherings will once again begin.
And people will need to know where to find you!
Engage With Your Reviews
When those people find you and visit they also have the opportunity to leave a review.
In fact, people who have visited your church in the past have likely already left a review. This is good!
People will tend to trust an outside, objective source for an impression of a community almost as much as what is written on their website.
Don’t squander this opportunity to connect with those friends whom you have not yet met.
Once you claim your GMB profile you have the chance to reply to reviews, good or bad!
BONUS: Reviews also give your SEO a boost!
So claim that page and get your Google on!