Florists, get higher local Google results by following the steps below!
Google My Business is a Free tool that allows you to manage how your florist business appears on Google Search under the Map also called local search results.
If you are just getting started with a flower business then Google My Business is a wonderful place to focus your local SEO. If you are an established floral business then this article will help you to maximize your Google local search results so your business ranks higher for Google local business and is not left beneath the fold.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is an internet-based free service created by Google for business owners to gain the most control of what shows on Google search browsers under the map for their business.
You may sign up for Google My Business here.
- Create a Google Business account and claim your flower business
- Verify your flower business on Google My Business
- Optimize your Google My Business listing
- Download the Google My Business app
- Enter your code once you receive it before 30 days or it will be null and void.
Please note: If you are lucky enough you could get a phone call verification however most of the time it will take 5 days to receive this verification in the mail. Also if you do not have a storefront please select -I deliver goods and services to my customers. Hide my address (it’s not a store).
Looking for the Google Business App? The Google My Business mobile app is no longer available.
You can use the Google Maps mobile app and Google Search to keep your Business Profile up-to-date and reach your customers where they are. Learn how to manage your profile directly on Google.
Important: There are no changes to how customers can view and interact with your Business Profile. You can continue to access your Business Profile data through the Google Maps mobile app and Google Search.
How To Increase Your Google My Business Local Search Results for your Flower shop.
Start adding your specific flower business information by clicking on the tabs on the lefthand side of your Google My Business dashboard.
#1. Info: Click on Info on the left-hand side of Google My Business.
#2. Service Areas: Before we enter in your flower business information such as name, phone number, address, and website address URL pay special attention to the box called Service areas.
This is a crucial step in maximizing your Google Local SEO, go ahead and add all flower delivery areas and delivery of services such as wedding/event flowers. If you have a Google My Business page and have not done this yet please go ahead and update now.
#3. Attributes: Enter in your floral business Attributes, do not skip this step.
#4. Business Description: When adding in a business description below Attributes please be sure to use specific keywords ( Full-Service Florist in(add your location) offering (add what you offer, flower arrangements for any occasion, same day flower delivery, free flower delivery, and so on).
#5. Add Photos: Adding photos to Google My Business is easy enough, however, most floral business owners do not add enough photos on a regular basis, and most photos are not tagged correctly.
To maximize your floral brand SEO in the local search please add photos that are JPG or PNG, upload at least 20 photos when setting up if possible, and a reminder for yourself to add more photos every week or biweekly to your Google My Business dashboard.
The more images displayed on Google My Business the better your SEO rankings.
The last and most critical step is to optimize your floral photos. Make sure all the photos you add to Google My Business are tagged correctly with keywords that pertain to your floral business –example: (Mother’s Day Arrangement By Your Flower Shop). Also, a good idea to geotag your photos with location.
*Advanced information (#6-8 is Optional)
#6. Store code: Add a unique ID if you are managing more than one flower business location in Google My Business.
#7. Labels: Add the multi Google My Business locations under labels
#8. Google Ads location & phone number: Enter the phone number you use when running a Google Ad. When managing multi-locations you may want to add one reservation phone number for your Ads.
Google My Business Reviews & Messaging
On your Google My Business dashboard on the left-hand panel, you also have the option to manage your reviews and messaging.
Reviews: Google My Business reviews are essential to building your brand SEO, the more reviews you have the better your Google local results will be. Be sure to respond to all the reviews you receive, negative and 5-star reviews. Customers like to feel that you are engaging with them plus it also increases your floral brand confidence.
Messaging: Some florists are not yet familiar with the Google My Business messaging app, the GMB app allows you to respond to messages directly from customers who find your flower business in the Google local search. It also allows you to bio your business which again is great for giving you higher rankings on Google local search.
- Be sure to download the Google My Business app to your device.
- Tap Customers.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Turn On.
New To Google My Business-Products(Beta) Tab
Launched in the Fall of 2018 this super exciting GMB feature is a winner for local floral businesses.
The new Google My Business Products tab gives you the option to add products directly on your GMB dashboard under collections.
This feature is still in beta however it’s especially incredible for your Google local SEO brand visibility and is a must-do for all floral business owners.
- Click on Get started.
- Upload a collection image, and add the product collection title, product name, and specific details to the description using florist-specific keywords.
- Add more products to your product collection.
- Add more collections by selecting Add collection.
To get the most out of Google Products(Beta) please add more than one product collection- at least three.
How to View Your Added Products on Google My Business
During Products Beta the products added to your Google My Business listing are only viewable on your mobile.
- Pull up your Google local search on your mobile device.
- In the main tab Overview scroll down and you will see your products listed below, or click on Products to see the products added.
- Select view all to see the full product details.
Embed a Google Map on Your Florist Website
Last but definitely not least is to make sure you have a Google map embedded on your floral website. Regardless if you sell flower products on your website or if you are an event florist, make sure to embed a google map to your website. There is no need to add your street address if you do not have a storefront.
The benefit of embedding a Google map to your florist website is that you are again letting Google know that your flower business is located where your listing says it is- this gives your floral business credibility with Google. Be sure to also sign up for all social media communities.
Florists, did you find this article helpful, do you have any questions? Please share your questions and feedback below in our comment section
Margaret Woroszylo says
Hi,
when you say that it is crucial to have photos tagged with Geo tags, you mean to have the titles set for the photos?
thanks,
Margaret
Hi Margaret-
Right, so all photos should have the correct tagging- The file name(description in URL) should also have a purpose. Instead of a photo file name being 45685Dck/Google can’t understand this- should read exactly what content is in the photo peonies-arranged-in-vase-mothers-day.jpg. . Title Tags should be the content of the image, and also, add an Alt text (short for “alternative text”) is used to highlight the identity of an image when you hover over it with your mouse cursor. Geo-Tags is a -bit different as you can tag the photo geographical this is done through GPS on mobile phones currently but great to have images tagged with locations, especially for local floral business.
Thank you for your article. I think I made one big change. I had my services set to 20 miles from my store. After reading I have added all the cities we deliver to. I am eager to see if that change helps.
Also, it might be USA thing, but I have never seen, and checked it again, The product page.
Margaret
Hi Margaret – GMB did not make this available (Products Beta )for all dashboards, but most shops are seeing it. Can you download the app and see if there? This product (Beta) is listing for all new GMB sign-ups.
Really informative, thanks for sharing this!
Hi! I like your ideas. The way you explain each and everything is quite impressive. I am leading my company for 20 years. But your thoughts gave me new idea. Thanks for sharing it.