Choosing the right category for your business on Google My Business is a crucial step in optimizing your online presence. It helps potential customers find your business when they search for relevant keywords and phrases. But with so many categories to choose from, it can be overwhelming to select the right one. In this article, we will discuss the importance of choosing the right category for your business on Google My Business and provide tips on how to make the right choice.
Understanding Google My Business is the first step in choosing the right category. Google My Business is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. It helps businesses connect with customers by providing them with accurate and up-to-date information about the business, such as hours of operation, address, phone number, and website. By claiming and verifying your Google My Business listing, you can improve your local SEO and increase your visibility to potential customers.
Key Takeaways:
- Choosing the right category for your business on Google My Business is crucial for optimizing your online presence.
- Understanding Google My Business is the first step in choosing the right category.
- Conducting keyword research and competitor analysis can help you choose the most relevant category for your business.
Understanding Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including search and maps. By creating a GMB profile, businesses can provide information about their products or services, hours of operation, and contact details.
To get started with GMB, businesses need to create a Google account and claim their business. Once the business is verified, they can access their GMB dashboard, where they can manage their GMB profile, view insights, and respond to customer reviews.
A GMB profile is essentially a Google Business Profile or Google Listing. It is a snapshot of a business that displays key information such as the business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. It also includes photos, reviews, and other relevant information.
One of the most important aspects of a GMB profile is choosing the right category for the business. Categories help Google understand what a business does and match it with relevant search queries. It is essential to choose a primary category that accurately describes the business and is specific.
GMB insights provide businesses with valuable data about how customers interact with their GMB profile. Insights include information about how many people viewed the profile, how they found the business, and what actions they took. Businesses can use this information to optimize their GMB profile and improve their online presence.
In conclusion, understanding Google My Business is essential for businesses that want to manage their online presence effectively. By creating a GMB profile, businesses can provide accurate and up-to-date information to customers and improve their visibility on Google. Choosing the right category for the business and monitoring GMB insights are crucial steps in optimizing a GMB profile.
Choosing the Right Category
Choosing the right category for your business on Google My Business can have a significant impact on your online visibility. It is essential to select the most relevant category that accurately reflects your business and its services.
When choosing a category, it is vital to consider the primary category, which should describe your business as a whole. Google allows you to select one primary category, which should be specific and relevant to your business. For instance, if you run a restaurant, you should select the “Restaurant” category as your primary category.
In addition to the primary category, you can also select multiple secondary categories that further describe your business. These additional categories can help your business appear in relevant search results and improve your online visibility.
It is crucial to select categories that accurately represent your business and its services. Avoid selecting categories that are too broad or irrelevant to your business. For example, if you run a restaurant, you should not select the “Catering Service” category as it does not accurately represent your business.
When selecting categories, it is also essential to consider subtypes. Subtypes are specific categories that fall under a broader category. For instance, if you run a law firm, you should select the “Law Firm” category as your primary category and include subtypes such as “Personal Injury Lawyer” or “Tax Attorney” as secondary categories.
Google can detect category information from your website and mentions about your business throughout the web. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your website and online presence accurately reflect your business and its services.
In conclusion, selecting the right category for your business on Google My Business is crucial for improving your online visibility. It is essential to select categories that accurately represent your business and its services, including primary and secondary categories and subtypes.
The Importance of Keyword Research
When it comes to optimizing a Google My Business profile, selecting the right category is only half the battle. The other half is choosing the right keywords to include in your profile. Keyword research involves identifying the words and phrases that people use to search for businesses like yours.
By conducting thorough keyword research, you can gain valuable insights into the search phrases that are most relevant to your business. This information can then be used to optimize your Google My Business profile and improve your chances of appearing in search results.
One of the primary benefits of conducting keyword research is that it can help you identify search phrases that you may not have considered otherwise. For example, if you run a bakery, you may assume that your primary keyword should be “bakery.” However, by conducting keyword research, you may discover that people in your area are searching for “cupcake shops” or “wedding cake bakeries.” By including these keywords in your profile, you can increase your visibility to potential customers.
Another benefit of keyword research is that it can help you identify gaps in your content. By analyzing the search phrases that people use to find businesses like yours, you may discover that there are certain questions or topics that your website or Google My Business profile doesn’t address. By creating new content that addresses these gaps, you can improve your chances of appearing in search results for those search phrases.
There are a variety of keyword research tools available that can help you identify the most relevant search phrases for your business. Some popular options include Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush. These tools can provide valuable data on search volume, competition, and related keywords, which can help you make informed decisions about which keywords to include in your profile.
In conclusion, conducting thorough keyword research is an essential step in optimizing your Google My Business profile. By identifying relevant search phrases and addressing gaps in your content, you can improve your visibility to potential customers and increase your chances of appearing in search results.
Competitor Analysis
One important aspect of choosing the right category for your business on Google is performing a competitor analysis. By analyzing your market competitors, you can identify their strengths and weaknesses and use this information to improve your own Google My Business (GMB) listing.
To start, you can use tools like GMBspy or perform a manual search on Google Maps and Google Search to identify your top competitors. Once you have a list of competitors, you can start analyzing their GMB listings to see what categories they have chosen and how they have optimized their listings.
Some things to look for when analyzing your competitors include:
- The categories they have chosen: Take note of the primary and secondary categories they have chosen and see if there are any categories that you may have missed.
- The keywords they are targeting: Look at the keywords they are using in their business name, description, and posts to see if there are any keywords you may want to target as well.
- The quality of their listing: Look at the quality of their photos, reviews, and other information to see how you can improve your own listing.
By performing a competitor analysis, you can gain valuable insights into your market competitors and use this information to improve your own GMB listing.
Improving Local SEO and Rankings
Having a strong presence on Google My Business is essential for businesses that want to improve their local SEO and rankings. A high ranking on Google’s local search results can significantly increase the visibility of a business, leading to more traffic, leads, and sales.
To improve local SEO and rankings, businesses must focus on optimizing their Google My Business profile. This includes providing complete and accurate information about their business, such as the business name, address, phone number, website URL, and hours of operation. It is also important to choose the right category for the business, as this can have a significant impact on the business’s local pack ranking.
In addition to providing accurate and complete information, businesses should also focus on optimizing their Google My Business profile for local search rankings. This involves optimizing the profile with relevant keywords, such as the business name, location, and services offered. Businesses should also encourage customers to leave reviews, as positive reviews can improve the business’s local rankings.
Other factors that can impact a business’s local rankings include the quality and quantity of backlinks to their website, the number of citations they have on local directories, and the consistency of their business information across all online platforms.
Overall, businesses that want to improve their local SEO and rankings should focus on optimizing their Google My Business profile, providing accurate and complete information, and encouraging customer reviews. By following these best practices and focusing on local SEO ranking factors, businesses can improve their visibility and attract more customers.
Optimizing Your GMB Listing
Once you have selected the most relevant categories for your business, it is time to optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing. This will help increase your visibility and attract more potential customers to your business.
To optimize your GMB listing, start by ensuring that all your business information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. Make sure that this information is consistent across all your online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, and other directories.
Your business description is also an important element of your GMB listing. Use this space to provide a clear and concise overview of your business, highlighting your unique selling points and what sets you apart from your competitors. Be sure to include relevant keywords in your description to help improve your search rankings.
Images can also play a crucial role in optimizing your GMB listing. Make sure to upload high-quality images that showcase your business, including your products, services, and physical location. This will help potential customers get a better sense of what your business is all about and increase the chances of them visiting your business.
Finally, make sure to regularly update your hours of operation to reflect any changes in your schedule. This will help avoid any confusion and ensure that potential customers know when they can visit your business.
By following these optimization tips, you can help improve your GMB listing and increase your visibility on Google.
Leveraging Secondary Categories
In addition to selecting a primary category for your business on Google, you can also choose up to nine secondary categories. These categories can help provide more context to your business and help potential customers find you more easily.
When selecting secondary categories, it’s important to choose categories that accurately describe your business’s unique features. For example, if you run a restaurant that specializes in vegan cuisine, you may want to choose “Vegan Restaurant” as your primary category and “Gluten-Free Restaurant” and “Organic Restaurant” as your secondary categories.
By selecting secondary categories that highlight your business’s unique features, you can increase your visibility to potential customers who are searching for specific types of businesses. Additionally, secondary categories can help you rank higher in search results for specific queries.
It’s important to note that while secondary categories can be helpful, they should not be used as a way to misrepresent your business. Make sure that the categories you choose accurately reflect the products and services that your business offers.
Overall, leveraging secondary categories can be a powerful way to improve your business’s visibility on Google. By choosing categories that accurately reflect your business’s unique features, you can increase your chances of being found by potential customers who are searching for businesses like yours.
Understanding Your Local Market
When choosing the right category for your business on Google, it’s important to consider your local market. Understanding your local market can help you choose the most relevant category that will attract local customers and improve your visibility in local searches.
One important factor to consider is the proximity of your business to your local customers. If you have a physical storefront, you want to make sure that your category accurately reflects the products or services you offer and is relevant to the local customers who are most likely to visit your store.
Another important consideration is the behavior of your local customers. For example, if you run a restaurant, you want to make sure that your category accurately reflects the type of cuisine you offer and is relevant to the local customers who are most likely to search for restaurants in your area.
It’s also important to consider the competition in your local market. Researching your competitors can help you identify gaps in the market and choose a category that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Overall, understanding your local market is key to choosing the right category for your business on Google. By taking the time to research your local market and consider the needs and behavior of your local customers, you can choose a category that will help you attract more local customers and improve your visibility in local searches.
Importance of Reviews and Posts
Reviews and posts are crucial components of a successful Google My Business listing. Reviews provide valuable feedback from customers that can help businesses improve their products and services. They also play a significant role in local search ranking. According to a study, 82% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to encourage their customers to leave reviews on their Google My Business profile.
Google Posts, on the other hand, are a relatively new feature that allows businesses to share updates, promotions, and events directly on their Google My Business profile. This feature is an excellent way for businesses to engage with their customers and keep them informed about their latest offerings. Posts can also help businesses stand out in search results, as they appear prominently on the business’s Knowledge Panel.
To make the most of these features, businesses must actively manage their Google My Business profile. They should respond to reviews, both positive and negative, in a timely and professional manner. It is also essential to regularly post updates and promotions to keep customers engaged and informed.
In addition to improving local search ranking, reviews and posts can also help businesses build trust and credibility with their customers. A business with a high number of positive reviews and regular posts is more likely to attract new customers and retain existing ones.
Overall, reviews and posts are essential components of a successful Google My Business listing. Businesses that actively manage their profile and encourage their customers to leave reviews and engage with their posts are more likely to succeed in local search and build a loyal customer base.
Special Considerations for Different Business Types
When choosing a category for your business on Google, it’s important to consider the specific nature of your business. Different types of businesses have different needs and will benefit from different categories. Here are some special considerations to keep in mind for different types of businesses:
Single-location Businesses
Single-location businesses should choose a category that accurately reflects the services or products they offer. For example, a plumber should choose the “Plumber” category, while a restaurant should choose the “Restaurant” category. It’s important to be as specific as possible in your choice of category, as this will help potential customers find your business.
Multi-location Businesses
Multi-location businesses should choose a category that accurately reflects the nature of their business as a whole. This may mean choosing a broader category that includes all of the services or products offered by the business. For example, a chain of restaurants might choose the “Restaurant” category rather than a more specific category like “Pizza Restaurant” or “Burger Restaurant.”
Real Estate Offices
Real estate offices should choose a category that accurately reflects the nature of their business. This might mean choosing a category like “Real Estate Agency” or “Real Estate Broker.” It’s important to be as specific as possible in your choice of category, as this will help potential customers find your business.
Law Firms
Law firms should choose a category that accurately reflects the nature of their business. This might mean choosing a category like “Lawyer” or “Legal Services.” It’s important to be as specific as possible in your choice of category, as this will help potential customers find your business.
Restaurants
Restaurants should choose a category that accurately reflects the type of cuisine they offer. For example, a Mexican restaurant should choose the “Mexican Restaurant” category, while a sushi restaurant should choose the “Sushi Restaurant” category. It’s important to be as specific as possible in your choice of category, as this will help potential customers find your business.
Plumbers
Plumbers should choose the “Plumber” category, as this accurately reflects the nature of their business. It’s important to be as specific as possible in your choice of category, as this will help potential customers find your business.
In conclusion, choosing the right category for your business on Google is an important step in ensuring that potential customers can find your business online. By considering the specific nature of your business and choosing a category that accurately reflects your services or products, you can increase your visibility and attract more customers.
Understanding GMB Features and Attributes
Google My Business (GMB) provides businesses with a variety of features and attributes that help them stand out in search results and attract potential customers. Understanding these features and attributes is essential for choosing the right category for your business.
Features
Features are special elements that can be added to a business’s GMB profile to showcase its unique offerings. Some common features include:
- Outdoor seating
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Pet-friendly
- Takeout available
By selecting the appropriate features for your business, you can provide potential customers with a clear understanding of what sets your business apart from others in the same category.
Amenities
Amenities refer to the conveniences and benefits that a business provides to its customers. Some common amenities include:
- Parking
- Restrooms
- ATM
- Credit card payments
- Kids’ play area
Choosing the right amenities for your business can help attract customers who are looking for specific conveniences or benefits.
Attributes
Attributes are characteristics of a business that can help customers find what they’re looking for. Some common attributes include:
- Women-led
- Black-owned
- Veteran-led
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Sustainable practices
Selecting the appropriate attributes for your business can help it stand out to customers who are looking for businesses that align with their values.
Booking Buttons
Booking buttons allow customers to book an appointment or reservation directly from a business’s GMB profile. Some common booking buttons include:
- Reserve a table
- Book an appointment
- Request a quote
- Make a reservation
Adding a booking button to your GMB profile can make it easier for customers to engage with your business and increase conversions.
Menus
Menus allow businesses to showcase their food and drink offerings. By adding a menu to your GMB profile, you can provide potential customers with a clear understanding of what your business offers. Some common menu items include:
- Appetizers
- Entrees
- Desserts
- Beverages
Ensuring that your menu is accurate and up-to-date can help prevent customer disappointment and improve overall satisfaction.
Overall, understanding GMB features and attributes is essential for choosing the right category for your business. By selecting the appropriate features, amenities, attributes, booking buttons, and menus, you can help your business stand out in search results and attract more potential customers.
Analyzing Metrics and Insights
Once a business has set up its Google My Business profile and selected the appropriate category, it’s time to analyze metrics and insights to ensure that the profile is performing well. Google Analytics is a powerful tool that provides businesses with valuable insights into how customers are interacting with their profile.
One important metric to track is the number of views the profile receives. This metric indicates how many times the profile has been displayed to potential customers. It’s important to note that views don’t necessarily translate to clicks or conversions, but they are still a useful indicator of how visible the profile is to potential customers.
Another key metric to track is the number of clicks the profile receives. This metric indicates how many times potential customers have clicked on the profile to learn more or take action. Tracking clicks can help businesses understand which aspects of their profile are most engaging to potential customers.
Google Analytics also provides insights into how customers are finding the business’s profile. For example, businesses can track the number of views and clicks that come from Google Search versus Google Maps. This information can help businesses optimize their profile for the channels that are driving the most traffic.
Overall, analyzing metrics and insights is crucial for ensuring that a business’s Google My Business profile is performing well. By tracking metrics like views and clicks, businesses can gain valuable insights into how customers are interacting with their profile and make informed decisions about how to optimize it for better performance.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Choosing the right category for your business on Google is crucial for your online visibility and local search rankings. However, there are common mistakes that businesses make when selecting their category. Here are some tips to avoid making these mistakes:
Bad Data
Bad data is one of the most common mistakes businesses make when selecting their category. This happens when the information about your business is incorrect or outdated. It could be due to a change in your business name, address, phone number, or website. It could also be due to a mistake made by a third-party data provider.
To avoid bad data, make sure that your business information is accurate and up-to-date across all online platforms. You can use Google My Business to manage your business information and ensure that it is consistent across all platforms. You can also use a third-party data provider to update your business information.
Third-Party Edit
Another common mistake businesses make is allowing a third-party to edit their business information. This could be a well-meaning friend or family member, a marketing agency, or a competitor. While they may have good intentions, they could end up changing your category to something that is not relevant to your business.
To avoid third-party edits, make sure that you are the only one who has access to your Google My Business account. You can also set up notifications to alert you when changes are made to your account. If you do need to give someone else access to your account, make sure that you trust them and that they understand the importance of selecting the right category.
Conclusion
Choosing the right category for your business on Google is important for your online visibility and local search rankings. Avoiding common mistakes such as bad data and third-party edits can help ensure that your business is accurately represented online. By following these tips, you can select the right category for your business and improve your online presence.
Working with a Digital Marketing Agency
When it comes to optimizing your Google My Business profile, working with a digital marketing agency can be a great option. Digital marketing agencies specialize in helping businesses improve their online presence, and they have the expertise to help you choose the right categories for your business.
A marketing agency can help you determine which categories are most relevant to your business by conducting keyword research and analyzing your competitors. They may also have access to tools and data that can help you make more informed decisions about which categories to choose.
In addition to helping you choose the right categories, a digital marketing agency can also assist with other aspects of your Google My Business profile, such as optimizing your business description, adding photos and videos, and responding to customer reviews.
If you’re considering working with a digital marketing agency, be sure to choose one that has experience working with businesses in your industry. Look for agencies that specialize in areas such as web design, SEO, and social media marketing, as these are all important components of a successful online presence.
Working with a digital marketing agency can be a great way to ensure that your Google My Business profile is optimized for maximum visibility and engagement. With the right agency by your side, you can rest assured that your business is in good hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select the appropriate category for my business on Google?
To select the appropriate category for your business on Google, you should consider the primary focus of your business. Think about the products and services you offer and choose a category that best describes your business. You can also use the Google My Business category list to help you find the right category for your business.
What are the different categories available for a Google business profile?
There are many categories available for a Google business profile. Some of the most common categories include restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and medical clinics. However, there are also more specific categories available, such as pet groomers, beauty salons, and dance schools.
Can I select multiple categories for my business on Google?
Yes, you can select multiple categories for your business on Google. However, it’s important to note that you should only select categories that accurately describe your business. Choosing too many categories or irrelevant categories can negatively impact your business’s visibility on Google.
Are there any restrictions on the categories that can be selected for a Google business profile?
Yes, there are some restrictions on the categories that can be selected for a Google business profile. Google has guidelines for representing your business on their platform, and they may remove categories that do not comply with their policies. It’s important to choose categories that accurately represent your business and comply with Google’s guidelines.
Does the selected category affect the visibility of my business on Google Maps?
Yes, the selected category can affect the visibility of your business on Google Maps. When someone searches for a specific category on Google Maps, businesses that have selected that category will appear in the search results. Therefore, it’s important to choose the most relevant category for your business to improve its visibility on Google Maps.
Can I change the category of my business on Google after it’s been set?
Yes, you can change the category of your business on Google after it’s been set. Simply log in to your Google My Business account and update the category in your business information. However, keep in mind that changing the category may affect your business’s visibility on Google and it may take some time for the changes to take effect.
