Fuel Hotel Marketing Podcast: Episode 91 – 8 Ways Hotels Can Optimize Google My Business

Google My Business is a free and often overlooked opportunity for hotels to gain more search engine visibility. In this episode, we look at 8 thinks that you can Do Right Now to Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
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SHOW NOTES
 

1. Claim Your Business & Verify!

• Claiming and verifying your GMB listing can be advantageous for your property
  • Local SEO: Greatly enhances your search presence.
  • Reach new guests; builds confidence in guests to book with your property.
  • Your listing points back to your site/social profiles
• You must verify your account before it can show in Search, Maps, and other Google services

 

2. Make Sure the Knowledge Panel Is Displaying the Correct Information

• Your GMB listing is like the front door to your business, all of the information (phone #, website URL, address, etc.) should be accurate.
  • If not, make these changes ASAP
• You can also manage the services/amenities your property offers (pools, restaurant, non-smoking, etc.).
• All of this info should match universally

 

3. Answer Questions Asked by Searchers/Potential Guests

• Humanizes your business and gives you the opportunity to interact with potential guests.
• Frequently check your listing for questions.
  • Respond promptly, professionally
  • Avoid generic “yes” or “no” answers
• Also a good way of dropping a valuable keyword or two into your listing.
• You can even upvote questions for more visibility.
• Note: ANYONE can answer a question on your listing, this is why you need you should be frequently checking your listing.

 

4. Create Your Own Custom FAQ List Within Your Q&A Section

• Get ahead by answering the questions you receive the most from guests.
  • Makes life easier for potential guests and makes less work for you (win, win!)
• Still, it’s best practice to manually check your listing for unanswered questions frequently.

 

5. Encourage Guests to Leave Reviews

• 68% of people left a review after a local business asked them to (Bright Local, 2017). The odds are in your favor!
  • Upon guest checkout; Email remarketing; Social media; Subtle prompts in rooms
• Online reviews can impact search rankings (Guests love reviews → SERPs love reviews).
• If they leave a review, leave a response; it shows that you place value in your guests’ input.

 

6. Add High Quality Photos and Video to Your Listing

• Give potential guests an inside look at your property.
  • Showcase what makes your property unique.
• Select a Preferred Photo: this will display next to your business name on Google Maps and search. However, it’s not a guarantee that Google will use this photo.
  • Stay away from using logos as a preferred image
• Choose high quality images: exterior photos, room interiors, amenities, images of employees assisting guests, food and drink, etc.
  • Room Interior Images: these can be make or break for potential guests. Use well-lit, wide angle shots.
• Optimize your photos for SEO: file name & alt tags
  • No keyword stuffing
• Note: Guests can also post photos

 

7. Message Directly with Potential Guests

• Text with searchers through SMS or a messaging app to directly answer questions.

 

8. Claim Your Bing Places for Business, Too!

• You can now import your Google My Business information to your Bing Places for Business

 

The Things to Avoid

• Follow Google’s guidelines so you don’t get penalized.
  • Multiple listings for the same location
  • Keyword stuffing
  • Using the wrong address

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In The Newsaroos
Google Tests Hotel Search Filters Using Highlight Icons
https://www.seroundtable.com/google-hotel-search-filters-using-highlight-icons-25948.html
Google Adwords Changing to Google Ads
https://searchengineland.com/google-is-retiring-the-adwords-doubleclick-brands-in-a-major-rebranding-aimed-at-simplification-301073
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Follow Us on Twitter:
@_travelboom
@stuartbutler
@makavanagh
@pdimaio
@pforiska

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