Optimizing Your Google Business Profile for Enhanced Mobile Visibility

Author:Shelden SmollanChief Experience Officer
Shawn Redford
Reviewed by:Shawn RedfordChief Business Development Officer
20 November 2024
14 Minute Read

Improve your Google Business Profile for mobile visibility and attract more clients with these practical optimization tips

Charts and graphs displayed on a computer

Importance of Mobile Optimization for Insurance Professionals

Let’s explore something that might not sound exciting initially but can be quite revolutionary for your business. If you work as a life insurance agent in Canada – or are essentially anyone seeking to get their business seen – you have most likely come across Google Business Profiles.

A pair of hands holding a phone that is displaying a Google business profile

Insurance Marketing: Business Visibility Online

Imagine this: you are on your phone looking for a nearby service, maybe an insurance agent or a quick lunch venue. When you type “insurance agent near me,” Google Search or Google Maps will show a list of nearby agents and/or companies’ listings right away. You will note only Google Business Profiles appear on the top of the Google search results page; no websites. These provide what you need at a glance, such as reviews, location, operating hours, and sometimes a handy “Call” button, a helpful introduction to connect. 

So, what makes someone choose one business profile on Google over the other? It is probably the one with great reviews and highest number of stars, up-to-date details,  or maybe even a picture of a friendly face or place. People naturally gravitate toward a business that looks reliable, approachable, and ready to help. 

It is all about convenience – when the info is there, and it is easy to access, potential clients feel more comfortable reaching out.

This Is why making sure your Google Business Profile is optimized matters so much. When people are making snap decisions on their phones, being the business that is easy to find and connect with gives you the edge.

The most important part is optimizing your profile for mobile online presence. This is an absolute necessity. Why? We are all, after all, on the go and both reliant and fixated to our phones. Mobile devices account for almost half of all internet traffic, and a significant majority of Canadians use their cellphones for online searches. Therefore, if your profile is not high quality and mobile-friendly, it is like having a ‘closed’ sign on the front door to your business. 

Experiors Google profile

Advice on Maximizing Your Google Business Profile Management

Why Mobile Optimization Matters

Not sure where to begin? Have you created your profile? If you have not, you can visit Google My Business and create or claim it. Consider it as occupying your place at the buffet before others start eating. After a verification process with Google, you are ready to go! 

The first step is creating your Google My Business profile for your business products or services to attract more clients from Google Search and Google Maps. You can put your own spin on your profile by adding images, custom content, and more. Creating your business profile is not enough however; you need to ensure that your business profile looks and functions at its very best, regardless of the screen size, or device, it is being displayed on. 

We are not just talking about how your business looks, but also how it functions for mobile users. With more than 70% of mobile users using click-to-call features to connect with businesses directly from search results, your opportunity to connect with your next client is only a Google Search away, and you want them to hit the call button on your listing; so make sure your information is up to date and that call button is available. 

Mobile optimization means that when someone searches for you on their phone, your profile not only looks great but also loads quickly and has all the essential contact info right where it’s needed. Think of it like prepping your home before guests arrive – you want everything to be spotless and in its perfect place. You also don’t want your guests thinking you are not home or ready for them to arrive, right? First impressions matter, and mobile is where most of them happen these days.

Stand out on Google with a free Business Profile

Next is your profile details. This is not the moment for shyness; get in there and let folks know who you are! 

Complete all the key information including

  • your company name
  • address
  • phone number
  • business hours
  • website URL
  • business description and business categories.

Since Google loves consistency and clients also value consistency, it is absolutely crucial that all this information is true.

Experiors business description

Here is a good point to think about  keywords. Keywords serve as the breadcrumbs guiding customers directly to your door. Discover what possible clients are looking for with Google Keyword Planner. Then, scatter those keywords like confetti during a celebration over your profile description!

Leverage trends and analytics. If you find, for example, that “life insurance quotes” is a common search word, be sure your description reflects this. While these keywords and components of your business profile are important, you still want your profile and listing to be clear and concise to consumers – this is not the place for your origin story. 

Experiors photos and videos on google

People are drawn to visuals naturally, it helps make your listing come across as established and ‘real’. Consider including top-notch pictures and videos on your profile that will help to increase its attractiveness. Examples include:

  1. Professional headshots highlighting your friendly face; your smile will be your strongest tool!
  2. Team pictures revealing your amazing staff
  3. Images of your workplace that would make it seem friendly and comfortable
  4. Videos presenting your offerings or compiling customer endorsements
A business team standing together for a photo

Images help potential clients feel more connected to you and your team and catch their attention faster than you could say “insurance.”

Customer Reviews: Respond to Reviews and Customer Feedback

Let us now change direction and discuss reviews. They resemble the report card of your company and are a component to be leveraged with your Google Business Profile.

Encourage your satisfied clients to post their experiences in a Google Review. Following a settled policy, as part of your follow up to thank them for their business, include an invitation for their feedback offering your Google Business Review link to make it simple.

The number of people ready to share their good experiences would surprise you! Customer reviews can increase your business search rankings and new client engagement. It helps establish credibility and draws more attention to your business in Google Search and Maps.

Experiors customer reviews

You can get the review link to share with clients from your Google Business Profile page. It might look like this: 

https://g.page/r/CSIwr1xXMKeuEBM/review

Here is a Google Review Tip: be sure you acknowledge and reply to reviews whether clients write compliments about personal experience or complaints. Thanking someone for a good review indicates that you value their time; fixing issues in bad reviews indicates that you care. Google Reviews (and your responses) are publicly available and appear in search results. Being authentic, professional and attentive in your review section will show future clients what to expect. Building customer relationships is absolutely crucial!

Google Posts 

Speaking of keeping things current and engaging with clients to build relationships, let’s discuss Google Posts. Direct sharing of events, value, and updates is possible straight on your Google Business Profile.

Experiors Google Posts

Google Posts help you keep things interesting, vibrant and ‘current’. It shows potential clients you are engaged with the community and the industry. When creating or sharing Google Posts, be sure to include a clear call to action, keep your content short – people are busy, after all – and use striking graphics. See it as a friendly prod to inspire customers to get in touch!

While it might be true that ‘once it is on the internet, it is there forever’, your Google Profile is not a ‘set it and forget it’ component to successful business. It is important to check how your profile is performing once it is polished. Google My Business offers insights on how people interact with your profile. Track measures including profile views, clicks to call, and direction requests using Google Business Profile analytics. Like reviewing the scoreboard in a game – always wise to know your situation!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Like in life, there are a few typical mistakes to avoid while maximizing your Google Business Profile. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Incomplete Profiles: Leaving sections empty is like serving a half-baked cake. It just won’t fly. Make sure every part of your profile is filled out completely and accurately.

Not responding to customer reviews could make you seem unfriendly. Avoid becoming the person that stands uncomfortably in the corner at a gathering!

Ignoring Updates: It could be time for a refresh if your profile has not seen an update since last year. Frequent profile updates help your profile to be interesting and relevant.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps:

  • A Google Business Profile is a (free) powerful lead generation tool
  • Life insurance providers in Canada need to make sure that their Google Business Profile is optimized. It is like your storefront online, and first impressions are important!
  • Mobile optimization isn’t just a nice-to-have; it is a must. With so many people using their phones to search for services, you can’t afford to overlook this.
  • Keep your profile updated, encourage reviews, and use visuals to make it pop.
  • Having a Google Business Profile that is optimized for mobile devices isn’t just a nice-to-have – it is a must. If you are an insurance professional, being easily found and contacted on mobile devices can make a world of difference. Think of it like this: if your profile is complete, visually appealing, and mobile-friendly, you are basically rolling out the red carpet for potential clients.

 Next Steps:

  1. Claim Your Business Profile on Google: If you haven’t claimed your profile yet then go to Google My Business and claim it.
  2. Complete Your Business Information: Make sure all your business details are accurate and up to date.
  3. Engage with Visuals: Add high-quality optimized for the internet images and videos to your Google Business profile. A friendly face and a welcoming office can make a big difference.  
  4. Encourage Clients Reviews: Ask your happy clients to leave reviews. Positive feedback is literal gold stars on your Business Profile for everyone to see. It boosts your credibility and attracts more clients.
  5. Stay Active: Use Google Posts to share updates, value and events. Keeping your profile active and engaging is like waving a friendly hello to potential clients.
  6. Monitor Performance of Your Google Business Profile: Regularly check how your profile is doing with Google mobile searches. It is like checking your fitness tracker – knowing your stats helps you improve.

By following these steps, your Google Business Profile will stand out, attract more clients, and drive your business success. Let’s take your mobile visibility to the next level and make your profile shine!

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Established in 2014, with our Headquarters in Guelph, Ontario with over 5600 licensed associates throughout Canada and the USA.

Our Mission statement is Building Financial Foundations for Families to Empower Them Today and Leave a Legacy for Tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is your digital calling card! A Google Business Profile lets you manage how your business appears on Google and how it shows up in Google Search and Map results, making it easier for clients to find you.

 

Think about it – when you are searching for a nearby coffee shop, what do you do? You hop on Google, right? If your business isn’t optimized, you are basically invisible to those local searchers. Google Business Profile is like your virtual storefront. When it is properly optimized, you have a way better chance of showing up in local search results. 

Optimizing helps Google understand who you are, where you are, and what you offer – so you are more likely to be seen by people right there looking for what you do.

It’s simple – visibility equals opportunity. When you optimize your profile, Google is more likely to show it to the right people at the right time. It is like having a bright, neon sign in a sea of businesses with dim, flickering lights. You want to stand out, right?

Things like accurate operating hours, up-to-date contact info, and eye-catching photos can push you up in rankings, meaning more eyeballs on your business and – hopefully – more feet in the door (or clicks on your website). The more Google knows, the more it can trust you, and trust leads to visibility.

There are a few must-haves if you really want to get the most out of your local listing profile. First off, accuracy is key. Make sure your address, phone number, and hours are spot-on (because no one likes showing up to a closed store). Add high-quality photos – real ones, not stock images. People want to see you.

Also, don’t sleep on your business description. This is your chance to tell your (short) story, in your voice – make it clear, engaging, and full of personality. Lastly, reviews. Get as many as you can, and be sure to reply to them – even the not-so-great ones. It shows you are human and that you care.

Imagine heading up to a restaurant only to discover it closed one hour ago; Google claims it is still open. So Frustrating! Trust depends on keeping your information current. Consumers will value your attentiveness when they notice you are routinely adjusting elements like holiday hours or new offerings.

Google also appreciates original material, hence updating might even improve your ranking. Consider it as regularly giving your company a new paint job. People enjoy that; it indicates you are alive and active!

Customer reviews are like word-of-mouth with a network you haven’t met yetThe more (good) reviews you have, the more credible you look to both Google and potential customers. It is kind of like if everyone’s talking about this amazing new restaurant – you would want to try it, right? And when you respond to reviews, especially the not-so-glowing ones, it shows you are engaged and care about customer feedback. It’s like having a conversation. You’re humanizing your business, and that’s something people love. And, more reviews = better search rankings. It’s a win-win.

We’re visual creatures. People love photos. They want to see what your business looks like, what your products look like, maybe even what you look like. Adding fresh, real photos (and videos, if you’ve got them) makes your business feel more approachable and relatable. 

It is like giving someone a sneak peek into your world before they even set foot in your door. Plus, businesses with photos get more clicks – Google said it, not me. So don’t be shy, show off a little!

Shelden Smollan
Shelden Smollan, Experior Financial Group's Chief Experience Officer, has spent more than 45 years working in the fields of Life Insurance and finance. He is an excellent insurance sales and management executive with exceptional strategic thinking, marketing, and leadership abilities. He has been Experior Financial Group Inc.'s Chief Experience Officer for the past six years, and his vision and expertise have been instrumental in the company's growth and development. By arranging meetings between agents and carriers so that our team of associates can learn from them and draw inspiration from them, he has assisted our IMO in expanding.