How can I add a post to my Google My Business profile using WordPress?

The short answer is that you can easily add posts from your WordPress site directly to your Google My Business profile by installing and configuring the ‘Post to GMB’ plugin. Once set up, this plugin allows your new WordPress posts to be automatically published on your Google My Business page.

Full Explanation

Adding posts to your Google My Business profile directly through WordPress streamlines your local marketing efforts and ensures your business updates are consistently visible to your audience. The ‘Post to GMB’ plugin acts as a bridge between your WordPress site and your Google My Business account, enabling automatic sharing of your content. This avoids the need for manual posting on the Google My Business dashboard, saving time and maintaining synchronized messaging.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Log in to WordPress: Begin by logging into your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Install the Plugin: Find and install the ‘Post to GMB’ plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
3. Activate the Plugin: After installation, activate the plugin to start using its features.
4. Configure Settings: Navigate to the ‘Post to GMB’ section and then to settings.
5. Connect to Google My Business: Link the plugin to your Google My Business account by selecting the appropriate Google account.
6. Save Your Changes: Ensure all your initial settings are saved.
7. Set Up Auto Posting: In the auto post settings, enable ‘Post to GMB by default’ so new posts will be automatically shared.
8. Add a Post Button: Check the provided button option and click ‘Add Button’ to facilitate posting.
9. Configure Image Settings: Choose ‘Featured Image as GMB Post Image’ to use your post’s featured image for Google My Business posts.
10. Link Settings: Select ‘In Line’ for link preferences, then save these settings.
11. Publish Posts: Every time you publish a new post, it will be posted automatically to your Google My Business profile.
12. Post Existing Content: To add previously published posts to GMB, use the plugin’s option to push past posts by clicking the appropriate button then saving.

Real Examples

Once configured, if you publish a blog about a promotion or event on your WordPress site, that content appears as a post on your Google My Business profile instantly. Likewise, previously published posts can be bulk-sent to your GMB profile, ensuring consistency across your online presence.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to activate the plugin after installation prevents it from working.
• Not connecting the correct Google My Business account will result in posts not appearing on your intended profile.
• Neglecting to save changes after modifying settings can cause your configurations to be lost.
• Failing to enable auto-posting means manually sharing posts, defeating the plugin’s purpose.
• Ignoring the image setting could lead to posts without attractive visuals, reducing engagement.

FAQs

Can I post past WordPress posts to Google My Business?

Yes, the plugin provides an option to add previously published posts to your GMB profile by using a dedicated button and saving the changes.

Will every new post go to Google My Business automatically?

If you enable the ‘Post to GMB by default’ setting, all new posts you publish will be automatically posted to GMB.

Can I customize the image used for the Google My Business post?

The plugin lets you use your post’s featured image as the GMB post image, ensuring visuals are consistent.

Key Takeaways

• The ‘Post to GMB’ plugin is the key tool for connecting WordPress and Google My Business for post sharing.
• Proper installation, activation, and configuration are necessary to enable automatic posting.
• Auto-posting saves time by publishing posts simultaneously on both platforms.
• The plugin supports posting older content to maintain a consistent business profile.
• Using featured images enhances the appearance and engagement of your GMB posts.