Crafting the perfect Google Business Profile description (formerly known as Google My Business) is a key component of a powerful local search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. The description should not only highlight what makes your business great, but also can be persuasive. But how do you write a description that grabs attention, boosts visibility, and drives customer engagement? This article will walk you through the steps necessary to create an engaging and impactful Google Business Profile description that enhances your online appeal.
Significance of Optimizing Google Business Profile Descriptions
The directory listing will include physical location, phone number, the street address and service area. However, the business description in Google Business Profile is a concise summary that highlights the key services and products of a company. With a well-crafted description, potential patients get a snapshot of what your practice has to offer. It not only helps your online visibility and credibility but also significantly enhances your local search engine optimization (SEO). Other benefits include:
- Highlighting selling points: Whether it’s state-of-the-art facilities, experienced practitioners, or specialized services, an optimized description can be explicit in what differentiates your practice from competitors.
- Establishing trust: An accurate and compelling Google Business Profile description can garner consumer confidence by transparently communicating the value and quality of care patients can expect.
- Improving brand awareness: The more you put your message out there, the higher the chances of being recognized and remembered by potential patients.
- Target messaging: Tailoring your description to match the “voice” of your ideal patient demographic can make a lasting impression on those actively considering care options.
Google’s Guidelines for Google Business Profile Descriptions
According to Google’s guidelines, information about your business must not include prohibited content. Best practices also call for consistency in names and categories across all your business locations, helping customers quickly identify your practice on Google Maps and search results.
Google set a limit of 750 characters in descriptions, with only the first 250 characters visible in search results. This can help you optimize your brand message as you will need to say more with less space given.
Our Top 5 Tips for Writing Well Crafted Google Business Profile Descriptions
Crafting a compelling Google Business Profile description is a delicate balance between providing user-centric information and SEO techniques. The goal is to use the Google Business Profile description space as effectively as possible to attract and engage potential patients. Here are our top six tips to help you make the most out of your description:
- Include the primary business category: Google uses business categories to help understand who your business is for. Including the best fitting category in your description helps users quickly understand the nature of your practice and can boost your visibility in relevant searches.
- Mention high value services: Highlight the main services your practice offers. For example, if you’re an orthopedic surgeon, you would mention services like knee surgery or hip surgery. This not only tells potential patients about the services you offer but can also boost visibility in search.
- Reinforce service area: If space allows, you can naturally include location keywords for the area you serve in the description. This provides local SEO value.
- Include the Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Express what sets you apart from the competition. Medical practices may call out their years of experience, cutting-edge technology, or personalized care approach.
- Keyword optimize your description: Including major keywords that you want your practice to rank for can significantly enhance your SEO. However, be careful not to force keywords into the description. The text should still read naturally, and remember, you’re writing for humans first, search engines second.
- Aim for consistency: By aligning your Google My Business description SEO with your landing pages and social media
Summary: Google Business Profile Description
Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, is a valuable tool for local businesses to maximize online visibility. Descriptions included in business directory profiles on Google share important information with potential customers in search results, including Google Maps. The business description field contains a snapshot of your products or services, helping users quickly gather what your business offers.
A well-crafted business description is clear, concise, and highlights what makes your practice different from others. It also helps to include the search terms your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy is aiming for, including those that indicate location. Finally, the write-up should adhere to the Google My Business description guidelines and stay under a character limit of 750.
Enhance your online reputation and Google Business Profile with iHealthSpot
iHealthSpot’s team of digital healthcare marketing experts specializes in putting your practice in front of more patients in your local target market. We also manage your Google Business Profile listing(s) and incoming reviews, to bolster your online presence. Reach out to us to learn how we can fortify your healthcare brand’s online standing.