Why Google My Business is Important For Chambers of Commerce

Imagine being able to attract more members to your chamber of commerce by making improvements to your Google My Business profile. By posting regularly and responding to reviews, you can help your organization improve your search results and get in front of more local businesses online. In this blog post, we will discuss five benefits of using this free tool for chambers of commerce and how to update your profile today in just 30 minutes or less.

Table of Contents

• 5 Benefits of Using Google My Business for Your Chamber of Commerce
• Google My Business Cheat Sheet For Chambers: How to Optimize Your Listing for 2022
• Why is GMB so Important For Chambers?

5 Benefits of Using Google My Business for Your Chamber of Commerce 

1. Reach new members. When potential new members search for chamber of commerce-related terms on Google, you want your chamber's GMB listing to appear in the search results. An active listing can help your chamber appear prominently in search results for potential new customers looking to join a local chamber.
2. Stand out from the competition. If your chamber's GMB listing is complete and up-to-date, it will stand out from the competition. This can help you attract more customers and grow your chamber.
3. Get more reviews. Customer reviews are essential for chambers of commerce. Reviews can improve your chamber's reputation and make it more likely that potential customers will choose your chamber over the competition. Google My Business makes it easy for members to leave reviews about your organization.
4. Manage your chamber's online reputation. Google My Business provides chambers of commerce managers with tools to help them monitor and respond to customer reviews. This can help you address any negative reviews quickly and efficiently.
5. Boost your chamber's SEO. Google My Business can help boost your chamber's SEO by making it easier for Google to find and index your chamber's website. This can improve search visibility and more traffic to your chamber's website.

Google My Business Cheat Sheet For Chambers: How to Optimize Your Listing for 2023

Google My Business gives your chamber the ability to manage its online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. According to Google, businesses that use My Business are twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers, and three times as likely to be considered trustworthy. Companies that complete their profiles are twice as likely to be found in Local Search results, and those with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions. 

In other words, Google My Business can be a powerful tool for businesses that want to improve their search engine optimization (SEO). By creating and verifying a business listing, uploading photos, and completing the profile with accurate and up-to-date information, chambers of commerce can increase their chances of being found by potential members. Any advantage that an organization or business can get in today's competitive landscape is worth considering, and Google My Business is a free and easy way to improve SEO. Here is how you can best optimize your google Business Profile listing.

1. Claim your listing or set up a free account (here's how to get started).
2. Ensure all your contact information is correct, including your chamber's address, phone number, and website.
3. Add keywords to your description, questions and answers, posts, and even testimonial responses because potential business members are more likely to find you through a search engine than any other method. Google will scan its directory for listings that match the keywords someone has entered, so make sure you include specific phrases that include your city and region.
4. Keep up with questions and answers to show that your chamber is actively engaged and listening to members and the community. Also, this can help improve your search ranking.
5. Respond to reviews as this shows potential and current members that you are interested in what they have to say and care about providing a positive experience. This can also help build trust and credibility with potential constituents. If they see your chamber is responsive to feedback, it shows that your organization is interested in meeting members' needs.
6. Add photos of recent networking or philanthropy events, committee or board meetings, or annual fundraising events to show that your chamber's primary goals are to connect businesses in your community and help them thrive. 
7. Post frequently by sharing blog posts or other news articles from your website in the "Updates" section of your Google Business Profile. This can help drive traffic to your website and boost your search engine ranking. 

You can help improve your visibility and attract more members and businesses through your GMB listing by following these tips.

Why is GMB So Important For Chambers?

If your chamber of commerce wants to improve its Google search visibility, reach new customers, and stand out from the competition, you need to use Google My Business. Need to help get your fellow staff members on board? Show them why you can't afford not to be using this free marketing tool. 

• More Visibility in Google Search. When people search for chamber of commerce information, your chamber's information will be more likely to appear in the search results if you have a Google My Business listing. 
• Better Control Over Your Information. With a Google My Business listing, you can control the information that is shown about your chamber, such as your hours, website, and contact information. 
• Increased Engagement with Customers. Chambers of Commerce can use Google My Business to post blog articles and keep up with customer reviews. This helps customers learn more about your chamber and what

As you can see, there are many benefits of using Google My Business for chambers of commerce to reach a wider audience and help promote the value of membership to your organization. If you're not already using GMB, we recommend that you start today to improve your listing and ranking on Google. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team if you have any questions about utilizing Google My Business. We look forward to hearing from you!

Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:

Does Google My Business Help SEO?

The Best Chamber of Commerce Websites of 2022

SEO Best Practices for Redesigning Your Website