No matter what sector you're in, being visible on Google has become a must.
How many times have you wanted your store to rank first on Google?
Today we're going to talk about your local SEO, a boon for your rental store.
According to Google, 50% of consumers who have carried out a local search on their smartphone have visited a store within a day.
In a few words, improving your online visibility increases your in-store traffic 🤔
That's why Google has created an incredible tool to help you create your online identity: Google My Business (or GMB for the pros).
GMB allows you to create THE listing for your company that's visible in search results. In a way, it's your identity card on the Internet.
80% of consumers use Google for local searches
Let's take a look at the most important things you need to know about Google My Business to be at the top of your local search.
1. Why it's (hyper) important
Local referencing
When users search on Google, they try to give the most relevant answer possible. As local searches account for a significant proportion of all searches, it's usually Google My Business listings that come up.
Example: I'm looking to rent a bike in La Baule. I Google "bike rental La Baule". Google will show me all the bike rental businesses in La Baule, displaying a map of the businesses' Google My Business listings. These results are the same as when you search directly in Google Maps.
A stronger online presence
It's much easier to be visible via Google My Business than via your website. It takes time and patience for a site to be visible in the first search results.
A GMB (Google My Business) listing is a great way to drive traffic to your website. As your site is prominently featured on your listing, users will get more information about your site. They'll be able to see your products, or book online.
An optimized GMB page saves you and your customers time. It's free, and a money-saver in the end, since you get more in-store traffic 😄
Get detailed statistics and watch your rental store grow on Google
2. Checklist for a good Google My Business listing
Let's not forget the purpose of this sheet: to make your service easily known and understood.
Here's a quick checklist for top visibility.
✅ Your opinion
Customer reviews are very important for your store's reputation.
According to Moz's Local Search Ranking Factors, customer reviews are the 3rd most important factor influencing a company's ranking in local search results.
💡- Le conseil de Lokki
Ask your customers to leave you a review on Google after each equipment rental.
Important: respond to reviews, especially the negative ones, by remaining polite and understanding, and offer compromises for the + negative ones.
✅ Your photos
A picture is worth a thousand words
Classic yet essential. Choose and cherish your photos with care. They'll inspire your future customers, and can show off your entire service just by looking at them.
Blue Bikes in Saint-Tropez showcases its rentals and store. Beautiful images and a presentation of its service to attract new customers 😁
✅ Opening hours
It's easy, but when you change your schedule, be sure to update it on Google.
And above all, on public holidays, specify whether you're closed or open. By default, Google will indicate that your store "may be closed". If this is not the case, indicate your exceptional opening hours so as not to lose customers 😉
✅ Bonus: Create Google posts
Google now offers the possibility of creating posts on your GMB page.
Communicate offers related to your rental store to your future customers.
Vous avez une offre du moment ? Postez là et elle sera visible dans les résultats de recherche, et sur Google Maps. Postez toutes vos nouveautés, vos événements, vos tarifs pour une visibilité rapide.
💡- Le conseil de Lokki
As soon as you have a high value-added offer (promotion, current offer, etc.) post it with a Google post.
Google My Business is such an easy and powerful tool that it can quickly boost your local visibility. Don't neglect it 😉
PS: if you don't have a GMB card yet, now's the time to get started. You'll find step-by-step details of how to register here 😊
