Facebook is forever changing, and its continual updates can be frustrating. When using Facebook we often can be so consumed with the algorithm and trying to get maximum results that we forget that Facebook is another social media website that can be found in search engines like Google.
Google is also forever changing and most savvy business owners know the importance of having your business rank on the first page. Better still if you don’t need to use Google Adwords to appear on the first page.
With my own business, I am always optimising my website, writing blogs, using Youtube to upload videos that are rich in keywords to get maximum results on the front page of Google. Now, what about Facebook?
Disclaimer: I don’t think a Facebook business page will replace the benefit of having a website. However, if you don’t have a budget for a website just yet, a Facebook business page will be a great start!
Using these simple tips, you can maximise the SEO ranking of your Facebook business page on Google.
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Create a Facebook Business page
There can be confusion around a Business page, a profile, and groups.
A Profile is the account you create for you personally. You will have a friends list, people will add you as a friend and you can add others. You have a maximum of 5000 friends. By filling out your details on your own personal profile, you will be able to rank your name. When someone googles you they will find your Facebook Profile. Be sure to address the information you post on your profile page. If you’re in business and looking for prospective clients you may wish to filter the images and information you share.
A Facebook Business page is for your business, your fans will like your posts and you have no limit on the number of likes on your page. With a Business page you have many options. Use a template to suit your business, create video content, whether it is live, pre-recorded or the new premier option. Use advertising to attract your target market, Facebook messenger bots and much more.
A Facebook Group may be something you’re considering also. I believe that a group is complementary to your business, giving you the chance to connect with your fans and add maximum value that sometimes can be lost in a Business page. You can have an open, closed or secret group.
Focusing on your Business, we can start to maximise the SEO of your business page.
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Fill out all the information on your page
This is crucial for your success, make sure your keywords are in the description and anywhere else you can appropriately add them. Add your open and closing times, your contact details and your website.
You will find 3 sections in the about us section:
General
Select your category – Claim your unique URL – Your business name (use location if you can)
Claiming your username, be sure to make it short and the same as your business name. When directing people to your site you don’t want a large URL. Also, consider your keywords.
If applicable, make sure your business name has a location, especially if you are a local business. Many people search Google for local businesses and services and this will help Google serve up your business in the search results. For me, I used my personal name and my business name conjointly e.g. Leanne Peard Social Media Specialist
Researching for this blog post I found this on the front page of Google “50 Mistakes Businesses Make Using Facebook”. When I clicked on the link it took me to a Facebook page which was called 50 Mistakes Businesses Make Using Facebook. Just shows how powerful your business name is when ranking on Google.
Let’s look at the information about your Facebook Business page:
Business info
Business details – Business opening/closing – Mission statement
Additional information – email – website and other social sites.
More Info
Allows you to add additional information about your business (Make sure this is keyword rich content.)
Your Story
It is very important to fill out this section as it will be displayed on the right-hand side of your profile once completed. Add an image and be sure to use your keywords here.
If you are unsure what your keywords are, use the google keyword planner tool or the chrome extension Keyword Everywhere to validate them.
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Verify your business with Facebook
Verifying your business with Facebook shows you are a legitimate business. Once verified you will receive a green tick on your profile. Google has not indicated that having a verified page will increase your rankings, however, it does show that you are authentic. It will help your search results inside of Facebook.
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Adding links back to your Facebook Page
Google loves links in to and out of your website. Once you have completed your Facebook Business page make sure you have links to the business page. It can increase your SEO and boost your Facebook Page as Google sees links as an authority. There a number of local sites that will allow you to put in your Facebook Page URL, Yelp, Yahoo, Yellow pages, true local. If you do have a website, you can add the Facebook link from the home page.
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Post timely and engaging posts
This is where you will need your magic wand. As we all know the recent Facebook updates earlier this year make organic engagement quite difficult. However, using keywords in your post and directing traffic from your other social media sites may help. As Google favours pages with engagement and Facebook is no different.
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Reviews and testimonials
Facebook reviews are a great way to showcase that your business is authentic and providing quality of service to your clients. Google reviews are great, however, whilst trying to rank your Facebook page on Google, using the review area inside of Facebook will show Google that people like your business.
A recent update in Facebook messenger will allow you to have an automated message to those that leave you feedback. Check out the messenger automation.
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Check your privacy setting
Go to accounts settings, privacy and check the box that allows your business page to show up on Google. Many times business owners are unaware of this setting and your Facebook page will not rank if this is not checked.
In Conclusion, these are a few steps to help you rank your Facebook business page on Google. Both platforms have their own algorithm and functions. We as business owners will never know exactly what we need to do in order to rank organically, however, this is a guideline that will help you get started.
We also know that at any given time one or both of the platforms may choose to change the algorithm and everything above may become null and void. With this in mind, I believe that these principles will always ensure a good Google rank.
- Keyword rich content and descriptions
- Engagement
- Authenticity
If you focus on always adding keywords to your content online, you will always have a better chance to rank for those words. Providing massive engagement (easier said than done now) will show Google that your product and services are authentic and you are providing value online. Being authentic should be a given. We should strive to work as authentic business owners, providing massive value to our audience. Word of mouth marketing is the best form of marketing a business can have. Using Social Media sites like Facebook Business pages is a form of word of mouth marketing as people finding us after they have heard about us and connect.
I hope that you take action today, check out your Facebook business page details, update where necessary and then check using the “incognito” function of Google search to see if you’re ranking.
If you are unsure how to use “incognito” or what it is all you need to do is to press Ctrl + Shift + N to open an incognito window if you’re using Windows. Your search results will not be affected by what you have been searching for in the past which gives you a true result.
Happy SEO of your business page. As business owners, we can only keep moving forward and doing what the platforms what us to do. At the end of the day, both of these giant platforms are free to use, so why wouldn’t you take the time to effectively add all the information that you need to make maximum results.
I guarantee you that only a small percentage of business owners are doing this, making you a leader in your niche.
@leannepeard
Latest posts by Leanne Peard (see all)
- Recap and Facebook Predictions for 2019 - January 23, 2019
- How to Improve the Google Ranking of Your Facebook Page - November 19, 2018
- What Businesses Need to Know about Facebook Stories. - September 25, 2018
- How to Use Facebook Messenger Bots - August 1, 2018
- Facebook Features! - June 13, 2018
I am just getting started out on Facebook. I don;t use it that much as a personal user but I can see the benefits it has to grow a business. Thank you Leanne, I shall come back to this post tomorrow (it is very late in the evening here) and have a clearer read through it :)
This is such an interesting article, Leanne. It is an undeniable fact that having a good ranking on Google will drive more traffic to your site. In fact, statistics show that over 90% of online searchers do not venture beyond the first page of search engine results. And, one thing that can help you rank higher is high quality content that is shareable. Not just articles, but videos, infographics and more are needed. And, an appealing Facebook Business page can be where you start sharing all this content.
Have you at any point considered about including somewhat something beyond your articles?I mean, what you say is critical and everything.But simply suppose you included some incredible pictures or recordings to give your posts more, “pop”! Your substance is astounding yet with pictures and clasps, this site could be one of the specific best in its field. Wonderful blog!