One key field on your Google Business Profile (GBP) that can affect your visibility is the category selection. Adjusting your GBP category to reflect seasonal changes to your service offerings can significantly impact your visibility and customer engagement. Here’s why it’s vital and how to do it effectively.
Enhancing Visibility During Peak Seasons
Your GBP category directly influences how your business appears in search results. For seasonal businesses, adjusting the category to match the current focus can dramatically enhance visibility.
Here are some examples:
- A landscaping business might switch from “Landscaping” in the summer to “Snow Plowing” in the winter. This ensures that potential customers searching for seasonal services are more likely to find your business during its peak times.
- An HVAC company could shift its category from “Air Conditioning Contractor” in the summer to “Heating Contractor” in the winter. This targeted approach makes it easier for customers needing specific services to find your business when they need it most.
- A contractor specializing in holiday decorations can change their category to “Lighting Contractor” or “Landscape Lighting Designer” during the holiday season. This helps attract customers who are specifically searching for Christmas light hanging, increasing the likelihood of engagement and sales.
Updating your GBP category to align with the current season not only boosts visibility but also enhances customer engagement. When potential customers see that your business offers the specific services they need at the right time, they are more likely to interact with your profile. This could mean more website visits, phone calls, or direct inquiries, ultimately leading to increased business.
How to Change Your GBP Category
Changing your category on your GBP is straightforward. Here are the steps you can follow to help you.
- Sign in to your Google Business Profile
- Select your business
- Click On “Edit Profile”.
- Click on the pencil next to “Business Category” to edit your category
- Start typing in your category for that season and select the option that best fits
- Click on “Save” and your new category will be updated on your Google Business Profile.
Best Practices
Once your category is updated, it will take Google a little while to rank you in that category, so if you’re using this strategy, you should consider these best practices.
- Plan Ahead: Anticipate the seasonal changes in your business and update your category in advance. This ensures you are ready for the influx of seasonal searches.
- Monitor Performance: Use the “Performance” feature in your GBP to track how changes in your category affect visibility and engagement. Adjust as needed to optimize results.
- Keep Information Consistent: Ensure that other details on your profile, such as business hours and services, are also updated to reflect the seasonal changes.
Conclusion
For seasonal businesses, changing your GBP category is a crucial strategy to maintain visibility, engage customers, and stay competitive throughout the year. By aligning your profile with the current season, you can attract more customers and maximize your business potential during peak times. For help managing your Google Business Profile and seasonal optimization, contact 99 Calls.