Story Based Question
You’re managing a business with physical locations in the US, the UK, and Australia. You want to ensure each store appears in Google search results when people search locally in those regions. You’ve heard of Google My Business (GMB), but you’re not sure how to set it up so that all your stores appear for local searches in different countries. How can you make sure your business is visible in each of these countries and their specific local searches?
Exact Answer
To set up Google My Business for multiple countries, create separate listings for each location, select the correct business category, add location-specific information like local phone numbers and addresses, and verify each listing. Use location-based keywords and ensure consistency across listings for better local SEO.
Explanation
Google My Business is a crucial tool for improving your local SEO and ensuring your business appears in search results and Google Maps. Setting it up properly for multiple countries involves a few steps to ensure each location gets the visibility it deserves.
1. Create Separate Listings for Each Location
If your business operates in more than one country, you must create individual listings for each location. Each listing should reflect the local business address and local phone number for each region.
- Why This Matters: Google uses your business address and phone number to show your business in local search results and maps. If you have different locations in different countries, you need a separate listing for each one to ensure accurate results.
- Action: Sign in to your Google My Business account and create a new listing for each physical location. Enter the correct address, phone number, and hours for each country.
2. Choose the Correct Business Categories
Each location needs to be categorized accurately to help customers find the right service or product when searching. Categories can differ between countries, so it’s important to select the most relevant ones for each location.
- Why This Matters: Different regions may have different search behaviors. Selecting the right category ensures your business shows up for the right searches.
- Action: When setting up your listings, make sure you select the correct category for each location, such as “Restaurant” in the US and “Restaurant” in the UK. Research local categories using Google’s category list to ensure accuracy.
3. Add Location-Specific Information
Each GMB listing should have location-specific information such as:
- Local phone numbers
- Accurate business hours (adjust for local holidays or time zones)
- Local descriptions and relevant keywords
- Images that reflect each location’s identity
- Why This Matters: Google’s algorithm favors listings with complete, location-specific details. Accurate business hours, correct phone numbers, and relevant images help customers trust your business and ensure your listings stand out in local searches.
- Action: Make sure that each listing includes details specific to that region. For instance, list the correct phone number for your UK location, as well as holiday hours and local images showcasing that branch.
4. Verify Each Location
You must verify each business listing individually. Google will usually send a postcard with a verification code to your physical address, but you can also use phone verification or email verification if available.
- Why This Matters: Verifying each location ensures Google recognizes your business as legitimate and helps you manage your listings effectively.
- Action: Complete the verification process for each location by entering the code sent to the respective physical address. If you manage multiple locations, consider using the bulk verification option.
5. Optimize Listings with Local Keywords
Incorporate local SEO practices into each listing to help Google understand the area your business serves. This includes using local keywords in your business description, posts, and services.
- Why This Matters: Google uses keywords to rank your business in search results. By including location-specific keywords, you help your business appear when people search in that region.
- Action: Add region-specific keywords to the business description and use them in Google Posts, such as “best pizza in London” or “affordable pet grooming in Sydney.”
6. Ensure Consistency Across Listings
For Google My Business to work effectively, your business details (name, address, phone number, website) should be consistent across all platforms, including your website, social media, and directories.
- Why This Matters: Google relies on NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone number) to rank businesses. If your information is inconsistent, it may hurt your local SEO rankings.
- Action: Double-check that your business name, address, and phone number are exactly the same on your Google My Business profile and on your website or other business directories. Use tools like Moz Local to monitor consistency across the web.
7. Monitor and Update Listings Regularly
Once you’ve set up your GMB listings, it’s important to keep them updated regularly. This includes updating hours for holidays, adding new photos, responding to customer reviews, and posting updates about promotions or events.
- Why This Matters: Fresh content on your GMB profile signals to Google that your business is active and relevant. Regular updates also keep your customers engaged.
- Action: Set a reminder to update your GMB listings regularly with new information like business hours, photos, or special offers for each country.
Example
Let’s say you own a coffee chain with locations in the US, UK, and Australia. Here’s how you could set up your Google My Business listings for each country:
US Location:
- Business Name: The Coffee Spot USA
- Address: 123 Main St, New York, NY 10001
- Phone: +1 (212) 555-1234
- Business Category: Coffee Shop
- SEO Keywords: “best coffee in New York”
- Verification: Verified via postcard sent to the NY address.
UK Location:
- Business Name: The Coffee Spot UK
- Address: 456 High St, London, W1A 1AA
- Phone: +44 20 7946 0000
- Business Category: Coffee House
- SEO Keywords: “top coffee shop in London”
- Verification: Verified via phone call.
Australia Location:
- Business Name: The Coffee Spot Australia
- Address: 789 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000
- Phone: +61 2 8000 0000
- Business Category: Café
- SEO Keywords: “best café in Sydney”
- Verification: Verified via email.
By having separate listings for each country, each location can show up in the correct local search results. You can ensure customers in New York, London, and Sydney find the right store based on their location.
Setting up Google My Business for multiple countries requires creating separate listings for each location, using local keywords, verifying each listing, and ensuring consistency across all details. By optimizing for each region’s specific needs, you can enhance your local SEO and improve visibility for customers around the world.