Imagine this: You’re planning a trip to a new city, and you’ve been scrolling through Google looking for the best places to stay and the most exciting attractions to visit. As you type in your search queries, you notice that the top results all have something in common – they all have Google My Business listings. These listings are a crucial part of a business’s online presence, and they can make or break a customer’s decision to visit your hotel or attraction.
So, if you want to attract more customers and boost your business’s visibility, it’s essential to optimize your Google My Business listing. Here are five ways to do just that, complete with relevant case studies to help support each point.
Fill Out Your Listing Completely
The first step to optimizing your Google My Business listing is to fill it out completely. Make sure to include all of the relevant information about your business, such as your address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and photos. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for customers to find you and learn about what you offer.
Case Study:
The St. Regis Hotel in New York City noticed an increase in bookings after they optimized their Google My Business listing. They made sure to include all of their amenities, such as their spa and restaurant, and also added photos of their rooms and common areas. By providing customers with a comprehensive view of what they offer, they were able to attract more bookings and increase their revenue.
Use Keywords in Your Business Description
Using keywords in your business description can help your listing show up in relevant search results. Make sure to include keywords that are relevant to your business and the services you offer. For example, if you’re a hotel, you might include keywords like “luxury,” “boutique,” or “beachfront.”
Case Study:
The Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York, optimized their Google My Business listing by including keywords like “beachfront,” “ocean views,” and “live music.” By doing this, they were able to show up in more relevant search results and attract customers who were looking for a beachfront hotel with entertainment options.
Encourage Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are a crucial part of your online reputation, and they can have a significant impact on whether or not customers choose to book with you. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing by providing exceptional service and asking them for feedback.
Case Study:
The Four Seasons Resort in Maui, Hawaii, has a 4.9-star rating on Google, thanks in part to their efforts to encourage customer reviews. They make a point to ask guests for feedback during their stay, and also respond promptly to any negative reviews to show that they take customer feedback seriously.
Use Google My Business Posts
Google My Business posts are a great way to share updates and promotions with your customers. Use these posts to showcase special offers, events, or new services that you’re offering. These posts will appear in your listing and can help attract more customers to your business.
Case Study:
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, used Google My Business posts to promote their Halloween events. They included photos of their haunted hotel and provided details about their ghost tours and other spooky activities. As a result, they were able to attract more visitors during the Halloween season.
Monitor Your Listing and Respond to Customer Inquiries
Finally, it’s essential to monitor your Google My Business listing and respond promptly to any customer inquiries or feedback. This shows that you care about your customers and are committed to providing exceptional service.
Case Study:
The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, monitors their Google My Business listing closely and responds promptly to customer inquiries. This has helped them maintain a positive reputation and attract more customers. In addition, by responding to negative feedback and addressing customer concerns, they have been able to turn negative experiences into positive ones and earn customers’ loyalty.
Add Virtual Tours
Adding virtual tours to your Google My Business listing can help customers get a better sense of what your hotel or attraction looks like before they visit. This can be especially helpful for customers who are considering multiple options and want to see what each one looks like in person.
Case Study:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City offers a virtual tour of their collections and galleries on their Google My Business listing. This has helped them attract more visitors who want to get a sense of what they can see before they visit in person.
Use Google My Business Messaging
Google My Business messaging allows customers to contact you directly through your listing. This can be a great way to answer customer questions and provide additional information about your business.
Case Study:
The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, uses Google My Business messaging to answer customer inquiries about their amenities and services. This has helped them provide better customer service and attract more bookings.
Use Google My Business Insights
Google My Business Insights provides valuable information about how customers are finding and interacting with your listing. Use this data to make informed decisions about how to optimize your listing and improve your online presence.
Case Study:
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, California, uses Google My Business Insights to track how customers are finding and interacting with their listing. By analyzing this data, they were able to make changes to their listing that resulted in increased bookings and revenue.
Use Google My Business Photos
Adding high-quality photos to your Google My Business listing can help customers get a better sense of what your business looks like and what you offer. Make sure to add photos of your rooms, amenities, and other features that customers may be interested in.
Case Study:
The Ace Hotel in New York City has a comprehensive set of photos on their Google My Business listing that showcase their unique style and amenities. This has helped them attract more bookings and build a strong online reputation.
Optimize for Local SEOLocal search engine optimization (local SEO) is similar to (national) SEO in that it is also a process affecting the More
Optimizing your Google My Business listing for local SEO can help you show up in relevant search results for customers in your area. Make sure to include local keywords and phrases in your listing, such as your city, neighborhood, or nearby landmarks.
Case Study:
The Empire State Building in New York City optimized their Google My Business listing for local SEO by including keywords like “New York City” and “Midtown Manhattan.” This helped them show up in more relevant search results and attract more visitors to their observation deck.
Conclusion:
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any business, including hotels and attractions. Optimizing your Google My Business listing is a crucial step in building that presence and attracting more customers. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create a comprehensive and effective listing that showcases your business’s unique offerings and stands out from the competition.
However, it’s important to remember that optimizing your Google My Business listing is just one aspect of building a strong online presence. You should also focus on creating high-quality content for your website, engaging with customers on social media, and using other digital marketing strategies to reach a wider audience. By taking a holistic approach to your online presence, you can build a loyal customer base and achieve long-term success.
In conclusion, optimizing your Google My Business listing is a powerful tool for attracting more customers and boosting your online visibility. By using the tips and case studies outlined in this article, you can create a comprehensive and effective listing that showcases your hotel or attraction’s unique offerings and stands out from the competition. With the right strategy and mindset, you can build a strong online presence that attracts customers and sets you up for long-term success in the digital age.
