Except for bold colors or a headline, there’s no better way to quickly capture the attention of potential customers than with images. But when it comes to your Google My Business listing—where bold colors and catchy headlines aren’t an option—how do you stand out?
The answer is simple: visuals.
Using visuals to draw in potential customers as they’re scrolling search results could be the difference between them doing business with you or not. But we’re not just talking about any images—we’re referring to high-quality, contextual images that communicate information about your business just as much as other components of your Google My Business listing.
We pulled together a few reasons why photos are an important part of your Google My Business listing and how you can improve your current collection.
The Value of High-Quality Images For Search
Customers have a plethora of businesses to choose from thanks to search engines. According to Google, 76% of people who search on their smartphones for something nearby visit a business within a day.
The thing is, how can you make sure they click on your listing?
High-quality images are an essential part of your Google My Business listing just as linking to your website and collecting reviews are crucial. Plus, the reality is that Google My Business listings with more images perform better than those that do not. In fact, 60% of consumers are more willing to consider local search results that include images, and another 23% are more likely to contact a business that has images in their business listing.
Think about it: would you click on a listing that didn’t have any images, or worse, images that were poor quality and unflattering of the location?
Take this auto shop, for example.
Google My Business Listing Example (Source: http://bit.ly/37WuqdE)
Though it has five five-star reviews, users aren’t able to learn too much about this shop based on this listing alone. Plus, there’s some critical information missing from this listing, like the full business hours and their website, aside from photos. Now, it’s important to note that this is not a “bad” listing by any means, but it could be made stronger by adding a few photos and completing the listing details.
Compare that to this restaurant’s Google My Business listing.
Reservation Feature on Google My Business
Photo Collage on Google My Business (Source: http://bit.ly/2wLXojq)
Not only is the listing complete, but it’s packed with various photos that potential customers can browse through including images of inside and outside the restaurant and menu items. From this listing, customers get a solid look at what their experience at this restaurant might be.
We know that images are critical to creating a successful Google My Business profile, but with the rise of new Google tools, like Local Guides, it’s all the more vital to make sure your listing is as strong as it can be. Though there is some difference of opinion on whether or not it’s truly a positive thing for businesses, as long as it exists, it’s important to know the potential implications.
Local Guides lets customers share photos, reviews, and other information to other users on Google Maps. It’s more or less Google’s take on Yelp or TripAdvisor.
Local Guide Review (Source: https://maps.google.com/localguides)
Because you can’t control what images appear first on your Google My Business listing, uploading quality images rather than relying on customer photos to tell your business’ story for you is always a smart idea.
How to Level-Up the Photos on Your Google My Business Listing
If your Google My Business listing isn’t where you’d like it to be, don’t stress! There’s plenty you can do to revive your listing with better photos.
Below are a few Google My Business photo best practices you can start implementing today.
Optimize your photos for SEO
Not only are photos important for customers as they search, but they’re also vital for search engines, too. According to a recent study, there is a strong connection between Google My Business photo quantity and search performance. It’s not only vital to have a larger volume of photos, but it’s also important to make sure those photos are optimized for search, too.
So how do you do that?
Start by naming your photos with keywords instead of random or default file titles. For example, let’s say you’re uploading an image of a signature coffee drink you offer. Be sure to rename that image to match the name of the drink, like Chocolate Crumble Frappuccino. This provides Google with the context of the photo. Also, make sure you categorize your photos as you add them. We’ll touch more on that later.
Add photos that give customers a detailed understanding of your business
When selecting your photos, make sure you choose ones that are not only clear and high-quality, but that provide customers with as much context as possible.
For example, if you run a restaurant chain, posting photos of your menu items is super important, but so is posting pictures of the inside of your shops.
These details help customers get a feel for if your business is right for their needs. The more information you can provide them, the better. People are searching high and low online these days before visiting a location in-person, so it’s best to give them as much information as you can.
For example, this Starbucks location does a great job of providing contextual detail through imagery.
Starbucks Location Photo Listing (Source: http://bit.ly/2wM6QmW)
In addition to food images, they also include a lot of photos from inside the store as well. From these photos, customers can see that there is plenty of seating at this Starbucks location, which may be an essential detail if they’re looking to hang out for a while.
Organize your photos by category to help users along
As we mentioned above, part of optimizing your photos for SEO is to categorize them.
Photo Category Options (Source: http://bit.ly/2wM6QmW)
Photo Category Filter (Source: http://bit.ly/2wM6QmW)
Your Google My Business listing lets you add photos in various categories like Food & Drink, Vibe, Inside, and more to help customers make sense of your photos as they search. It’s also helpful for Google when it tries to understand the context of your photos.
Google My Business Photos FAQ
How do I upload a picture to my Google My Business page?
Uploading photos to your Google My Business listing is easy.
To add photos:
- Sign in to the Google My Business page you’d like to add photos to
- Click the menu on the left-hand side and select Photos
- In the top right corner of the page, click Post
- Select the type of photo or video you’d like to upload
- Upload the photo or video from your computer
To add a cover photo or logo:
- Sign in to the Google My Business page you’d like to add photos to
- Click the menu on the left-hand side and select Photos
- Underneath the “Overview” tab:
- Click on “Logo” to add a logo
- Click on “Cover” to add a cover photo
- To change a current cover photo or logo, click Edit
- Choose the type of picture you want to upload
- Upload the photo from your computer or choose one you’ve already uploaded
How do I remove photos from my Google My Business page?
Removing photos on your Google My Business page can be done in just a few clicks:
- Sign in to the GMB page you’d like to add photos to
- Click on Photos from the menu
- Select the photo you want to delete
- On the top right corner, click Trash
Can I choose which photos appear first?
Currently, you cannot control which photos appear first in your Google My Business listing. Still, by setting a cover photo and uploading quality pictures on your own (that are SEO optimized, of course), you set yourself up for success.
According to Google, “Set a cover photo to the top of the profile that best represents your business. In some instances, this action doesn’t guarantee the cover photo populates as the first image for your business.”
What types of photos can I upload?
You can upload the following photos to your Google My Business profile:
- Exterior photos
- Interior photos
- Product photos
- Photos at work
- Food & drink photos
- Common areas
- Rooms
- Team photos
For more details on each type of photo, visit this resource.
Ready to see how your business could grow with review management? Contact us today, and a member of our team will help find the right solution for your business.