How much effort are you putting into your Google Business Profile? If your business has a physical location, your GBP is an essential SEO tool that greatly affects both your Google Maps listing and your local search rankings, and photos are one of the most important elements of the GBP. Here are five common mistakes when it comes to the images you upload to your Google Business Profile.
1. You don’t have photos at all. According to Google, businesses that add photos to their Business Profiles receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps, and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t. Simply put, if you’re not making the effort to upload photos, you’re missing out on two types of traffic.
2. You’re using stock photos. It’s surprising how many businesses go this route because they think stock photos look more professional. While that might be true, they’re also not accurate photos of your business, and potential customers will see right through that. Staged photos are fine, if they’re taken in your place of business and showing facilities and products that you actually have. Stock photos are never acceptable, so if you have any on your profile, it’s best to remove them.
3. Your photos are not good enough. Make sure you’re uploading clear, well-lit photos of both the exterior and interior of your premises from various angles, so that people can easily spot the building and know what to expect when they’re inside. Photos of product displays can also help potential customers understand what you offer. Accurate photos of your business help attract customers, as well as boosting your SEO performance. You don’t necessarily need to hire a professional photographer, but do make an effort to create the best images you can with the best tools you have.
4. Your photos are too good. The double-edged sword of caring about photo quality is that sometimes you can err on the side of unrealistic expectations. It’s embarrassing to read reviews that say “this place does not look half as nice as the photos”, so avoid extreme editing, too many touch-ups, or other image modifications that give a false impression of what your business is like.
5. You’re not utilizing UGC. User-generated content is the cornerstone of building trust. Encourage happy customers to upload their own photos — it gives your credibility a boost, and makes your business look more authentic in the eyes of both Google and potential new customers.
SEO is a complex maze to navigate. Contact us for a free consultation — we’ll get you pointed in the right direction, with an honest assessment of your current strategy, as well as actionable tips to help you improve your business in 2024.
COGO Interactive is an award-winning digital marketing agency specializing in online marketing strategy, web design, SEO and social media marketing. We work with clients in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC and across the nation.
