A well-optimized website on Google is crucial for any business. For a decade, people have used Google to enhance Google My Business visibility, show up more in local searches, and gain more customers.
As Microsoft Bing’s AI Copilot gains traction, it's becoming increasingly clear that businesses must adapt to these changes. While Google's dominance remains strong, the rise of Bing Places for Business is a clear signal that companies should not overlook this platform. The time to optimize your website for Bing Places for Business is now; this guide will show you how.
Consequently, you are in the right place if you want to expand Google My Business reach and visibility and Bing Places for Business. Let this be your guide to help you comprehend how you can optimize your website for both search engines. Start optimizing your website now!
Note: For your convenience, this article is divided into two parts. The first part will guide you on how to enhance Google My Business visibility, while the second part will focus on Bing Places for Business. This structure lets you easily access the information you need without reading the entire article.
Part 1- Optimize Your Website To Enhance Google My Business Visibility
Step 1- Create Your Google Business Profile To Grow Google Business Profile Audience
You must be wondering if “Does Google My Business help SEO?” Google’s Business Profile, previously known as GMB (Google My Business), is now how you'll be noticed alongside your website. The Google business profile is free and can be set up easily in no time.
So, if you haven't set up your Google account yet, create your business profile now on Google and start getting noticed. Also, if you already have a Google business profile, skip the optimization part to enhance Google My Business visibility!
1. If you don't have a Google account, you can easily create one now. You should create a new account to be notified precisely about your business insight.
2. Once you have signed into your Google account, you will be asked to mention your company’s name. Jot that down and tap Continue.
3. After you click continue, choose your business type and click next.
4. Once you have chosen the category, you must enter a web store if you are an online retailer. Otherwise, if you are a service business or local store, you must enter a Business category that can be changed later, with the option to add more. Finally, click next.
5. Now, you need to enter your location. If you are an online business, you must mention your website and state the country where your company is registered, which applies to all kinds of businesses. Moreover, if you are a service-area business with no physical store but delivers service, you can click “I provide goods and services to my customer " and check the box for the hidden address.
6. Now, you must add your contact number and website URL if you have any.
Step 2- Verify Your Business Profile on Google
You need to verify that your business shows up on Google. The verification methods depend on the kind of business you are doing, so they are selected automatically, and you cannot change them. Thus, if you don't even have a physical store, you must have a mailing address in case you have to receive a postcard from Google with your code.
In this situation, you can open your business profile dashboard on Google and enter the code to verify your business,
However, sometimes you get lucky and get the option of text or call verification, which is more convenient than the postcard option, which takes almost five working days to arrive.
Once you have completed your verification, you can easily add or edit information and become the sole person who can edit your business's details.
How is it Helpful for the SEO?
Verifying your business profile on Google will help enhance Google My Business visibility and eventually grow Google business profile audience, along with your local SEO, customer trust, and online reputation. Moreover, your business will be more likely to be considered reputable by new and old users.
Your business can also appear in local searches and Google Maps. It will also help you respond to reviews by various users, use chat features, and more. Check out the Cognitive IT Solutions business profile on Google for a better understanding of a professional business platform.
Step 3- Optimize Your Business Profile On Google
You must add all the extra details to optimize your profile and enhance Google My Business visibility. Once you sign in to your account, go to your Business Profile dashboard and tap on your Business.
Now that you are on your Business profile, you must list every detail possible. All the information you put in the Business profile goes directly to Google. Thus, you must supply as many details as possible to enhance Google My Business visibility and improve Google business profile engagement.
Here is the list of things you should not avoid that will help you optimize your business better:
1. Captivating Business Description: Write a captivating description of your business, including what you do and your services. Don't try to stuff keywords in your description, as this will not help you rank your website. Use adequate and relatable keywords to enhance Google My Business visibility.
2. Add Photos & Videos: People count on pictures and videos to make the Business Profile look more genuine. Thus, adding high-quality photos to your business profile on Google will enhance Google My Business visibility. For videos, make sure to add a video that is at least 30 seconds long and up to 75 MB.
3. Mention your business hours: Mentioning your business hours is as crucial as adding a brick to complete the wall. Thus, you must mention the correct business or operational hours.
4. Add Posts: To attract more visitors to Google business profile, retain more customers, and keep your business profile active, you can post various sales, events, and other timely business information to communicate with them.
5. Add a Local Phone Number: A local phone number will help as a ranking factor for your business profile, as it is a legitimate local platform. Moreover, it will give your business profile viewers a sense of familiarity and build trust in your firm.
Respond to Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are important in getting more local SEO Google My Business searches and gaining customer trust. Whenever a customer is looking to invest his money on a platform or wants to purchase something, customer reviews are the factor they opt for. Thus, responding to positive and negative reviews patiently is essential as more users will be able to notice them. To enhance Google My Business visibility, even negative can work in your favor if you provide a proper workaround.
Consequently, responding to negative reviews can create a sense of transparency, and your business will more likely gain repeat business from customers.
Regularly Update Your Information
It is vital to constantly update your profile to let businesses and customers know it is active. For instance, if your business hours have changed or the event you posted has already been conducted, you must remove that event from your business profile. Also, if you have a new contact number, update that as well.
Relevant Content & Keywords
You must add content and keywords mostly related to your business. This establishes your website as an authority for those searches, potentially influencing your GMB ranking.
Remember: GMB optimization is an ongoing process. Monitor your GMB insights regularly to see how users find you and adjust your strategy.
Part 2- Optimize Your Website For Bing Places for Business
Step 1- Create or Claim Your Business Listings on Bing For Business
First, you need to sign in to your Microsoft account, or if you don't have one, create one. Once you are done creating an account, head to Bing Places for Business and click on Get Started.
Now, you must claim a business listing or add a new one. To do so, click on Claim Business and continue with the prompts. If you still need to create a business listing, click on Add New Business to create a new listing.
Step 2- Verify Your Listing On Bing
Like Google, you must also verify your claim Bing business listing here. The verification methods are the same, which are phone calls and text messages. As mentioned on Bing, all businesses must provide a valid address to get the verification code sent to them at that address.
Step 3- Optimize Your Bing Places Listing
Just like you did on Google Business Profile, you need to add the following for Bing as well:
Note: If you have a proper business profile on Google, Bing Places for Business allows you to import from Google's business profile. Thus, import your data from Google to Bing without the need to add each thing individually.
1. Jot down the correct name of your business: Add appropriate and reliable keywords to rank on Bing search only if you have a keyword-friendly business name that some companies have and for those who don't. Don't try to stuff your business name over; make it simple and organic.
2. Business Address Contact Number
3. High-Quality Photos & Videos
4. Respond to positive and Negative reviews
5. Add Website address to Bing listing
6. Choose a Suitable category
7. Mention the correct Hours of Operation
8. Add Amenities and Social Profile (If any)
Local SEO Optimization
Include suitable keywords for your business and target area throughout your website, especially on your homepage and service pages. Research keywords employing tools like Google Keyword Planner (which also works for Bing searches).
Use Tools For Bing Business Listing
You can use various tools to manage your Bing business listing. These tools include:
1. Semrush: It provides various tools to manage and optimize your website, including Bing listing. Companies like Cognitive Technology Solutions have been using this tool to maximize their content and rank it.
2. Fiver: Using Fiver, freelancers can help you manage your Bing listing and other marketing-related tasks.
3. Hibu: Platforms like Hibu and Cognitive Technology Solutions provide online marketing services, including Google My Business optimization service, to increase sales for your business, especially if you are a startup. These services include managing Bing listings and GMB to enhance Google My Business visibility.
Final Thoughts
Once you have followed the steps mentioned above for Google and Bing, you should be able to optimize your websites and rank in a more significant place than before. Moreover, any optimization you have applied for your Google business profile can be used on Bing Places to enhance Google My Business visibility and Bing business profile.
While Bing Places might not offer the same level of control as Google My Business to enhance Google My Business visibility, it can still be a robust tool for driving local traffic to your business—especially for certain industries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I optimize Google My Business page?
You can optimize and enhance Google My Business visibility and page by crafting compelling descriptions, using relevant keywords, high-quality images and videos, responding to customer queries, and posting regularly. To read more about “How Can I Optimize My Website For Google My Business and Bing Places for Business?” and read your preferred part!
Is Bing Places for Business worth it?
Bing Places for Business is a good option for most local businesses, especially if you've already claimed your Google My Business listing. It's a free way to reach new customers and should require a manageable time investment to set up and maintain.
