Newsletter #30

Google Wants You to Use GMB More. Here's How They're Trying to Make That Happen.

August 24, 2017

Whitespark's Monthly Local Search Newsletter

Local InsiderAugust 2017

Google has been on a roll the past few months adding new features and products that target SMB's and the DIY search market. The latest of these include:Small Thanks with Google - This new tool allows small businesses in the USA & Puerto Rico to leverage their existing Google reviews. Showcase the best positive reviews from customers left on your Google My Business Listing by generating a poster to display at your business. It's free, easy to use, and another way to encourage more reviews on your GMB listing.Questions & Answers In Google Business Listings - Google Maps launched a new Questions & Answers feature that allows customers to ask a business questions and the owner the ability to answer directly. While this feature is only accessible in Android, it will be rolled out later this year. Check out Tim Capper's review of the new feature, the benefits, and what you can expect.Online Orders and Reservations - Customers can now take action directly from Search and Maps; with options like book an appointment, place an order, or reserve a table. To learn more about this feature, check out Phil Rozek's - 12 Facts to Know about Google My Business Appointment URLs.In case you missed it in June/July:

  • The ability to communicate with searchers via SMS Text Messaging through your GMB listing was incorporated into the dashboard.

  • Posts offers business owners the chance to publish events directly to Search and Maps results, enhancing their branded Knowledge Panel in local search results.

  • If you're business is new and you don't have a website, you can build on in under 5 minutes with the help of Google's website builder.

These additions to the Google suite lead us to believe that Google is pushing harder to have users connect with the Google My Business dashboard more frequently, and the more often users are in the dashboard, the more chances they have to sell them on advertising platforms like Adwords Express and Home Service Ads.

From the Blog

*The following is a Whitespark exclusive excerpt from the Expert’s Guide to Local SEO by Joy Hawkins*Google started testing Home Service ads back in 2015 and this originally scared the entire Local SEO community (and business owners) because the test they did in San Francisco replaced the original 3-pack with a completely paid 3-pack. 

Read this article to:

  • Find out if the rumors about the 3-pack becoming completely paid are true.

  • What you need to know about Home Service Ads.

  • Why The Expert's Guide to Local SEO is your must have resource to stay on top of Local Search and improve your GMB knowledge. 

Around The Web

It's time to start taking care of your new home page. Mike Blumenthal discusses why Google branded search results with the Knowledge Panel is your new home page, and how to take control of this page in this informative guide.  

How far are consumers willing to travel to shop at local stores? Wesley Young discusses how distance makes an impact on consumers decision making and how you can use your store's location to boost conversions in marketing campaigns. 

Miriam Ellis has put together a real world example of elements that a basic local competitive audit should include. Follow along, download the spreadsheet to use for your own business, and learn how to create a to-do list for any company trying to move up in the rankings. 

Regardless of the changing consumer search and social media landscapes, your website will remain a place that consumers visit to get more information, and connect with your business. Your website is one of your most important pieces of digital equity, which is why it is important to know why and how to optimize this asset. In this article, David Mihm discusses what elements are critical for optimizing your site. 

Now that you are informed about the new Google Q&A feature, here are some great tips from Mike Blumenthal on how to enhance this new local Knowledge Panel update.

If you're including forms, login fields, or other input sections on your HTTP website, Chromes is going to mark them as not secure come October of this year.

Upcoming Conferences

CONTENT MARKETING WORLDSeptember 5-8, 2017Cleveland, OH

PLACE CONFERENCESeptember 18, 2017New York, NYSWIVEL MARKETING CONFERENCEOctober 9-10, 2017Bend, ORSEARCHLOVE LONDONOctober 16-17, 2017London, ENGSMX EAST - NYCOctober 24-26, 2017New York, NY