Author: Josh Billings

The Pitfalls of Using Syndication Tools for Managing Google Listings

As an SEO agency specializing in listings management for our clients, we often encounter businesses tempted by third-party syndication platforms and similar directory management tools. These services promise convenience—automating updates across multiple directories—but the reality is more complicated when it comes to high-tier platforms like Google Business Profile (GBP). While syndication services serve a purpose in broader directory management, relying […]

GBP | Questions & Answers

Here we go, another quick one. Your customers have questions. You have answers. Pretty simple right? Here’s the thing, though…other people have answers to, and Google gives them the means of answering those questions if you don’t get to them first. This, of course, opens to the door to our old friend, Misinformation…so, pay attention. Here we are on the […]

GBP | The Importance of Reviews

Do you want the good news or the bad news, first? The good news is that this is a relatively short episode. The bad news is, when it comes to how you rank in local search, it really does matter what people are saying about your dealership. So, let’s talk ‘Reviews’. By now, regular viewers are pretty familiar with this: […]

GBP Listings | Entering Business Information

Get comfortable, and make yourself a snack, friends…because this topic is a big one, in terms of both importance and scope. At this point, we’re going to assume you’ve already created or claimed all of your listings, verified them, and identified all of your departments. Today, we’re going to talk about your business information and – for our onscreen examples […]

GBP Listings | Verification

Last week, we covered the identification and creation stages of managing your GBP listings. In doing so, we covered the difference between claiming & creating a listing, then left off at the verification stage. So, guess where we’re picking things up this week! That’s right! So, what do we mean by “verification”? Simply put, it’s Google’s process for confirming that […]

GBP Listings | Identification & Creation

This week, we’re covering 2 topics: identification and creation. Now, in this series, we’re basing everything on the specific standards set by Google for dealerships like yours. Why? By adhering to these standards, you’re ensuring that your online presence is compliant, so you won’t be penalized in Search. Makes sense, right? So, according to those standards: All car dealerships can […]

Resolving Issues with GBP Support

It’s inevitable that at some point, you’re going to encounter a problem with your Google Business Profile. Something that has you stumped. Well, don’t feel bad. Not only is it highly likely that other users will have encountered the same problem, it’s equally likely that advice and/or solutions can be found in user forums that you have access to. Here […]

GBP | Logging In & Profile Administration

To log into your Google Business Profile, visit business.google.com and click ‘Sign In”. You can log-in using any Google account, but you’re going to WANT to log-in using a general business account. This should be standard operating procedure for any business. Why? Because you’ll inevitably have to share, or hand-off those credentials at some point, and you wouldn’t want to […]

Welcome to your Google Business Profile

Did you know that your Google Business Profile (or ‘GBP’) listing is one of the most important tools in your marketing toolbox? It empowers you to manage how your dealership shows up in Search, and across Google products like Google Maps. Plus, it helps customers to find you within your designated geographic area, because Google-verified listings are more likely to […]

Update Your GBP Holiday Hours

Hey dealers, Josh from Wikimotive here…with a reminder that Independence Day is right around the corner. So, before you fire up that grill and set off those fireworks, let’s make sure your dealership’s Google Business Profile is updated to reflect your holiday hours. Okay, so there’s two things you’re going to want to do (i) set your holiday hours, and […]

Understanding Your Dealership’s Core Web Vitals

All right, dealers… Since November, we’ve covered ‘How to set up and optimize your Google Business Profile’, the ‘Top things you can do to help your dealership’s SEO’, and ‘How to tell if your content sucks, and how to fix it’. I’m Josh, and today we’re going to talk about “Core Web Vitals” and update your understanding of them for […]

How to Set Up & Optimize Your Dealership’s Google Business Profile

Disclaimer: In November 2021, Google changed the name of Google My Business (GMB) to Google Business Profile (GBP). Since its initial publishing, this content has been updated to reflect that change. Why are Google Business Profiles Important to My Dealership? According to a recent report more than 2/3 of prospective customers will seek out your dealership’s Google Business Profile (or […]

Google My Business Nested Listings (Part Two)

Last week, we talked about nested department listings, why they’re important, and the steps you need to take to get them set up. Now, let’s talk about steps you can take to further optimize them. Now…this is a topic that we’ve covered in the past but, today, we’re going to look at it from a slightly different perspective. So, let’s […]

Google My Business: Nested Listings (Part 1)

You don’t need me to tell you that your dealership has a lot of moving parts – some of which may be separate departments, possibly with different physical locations. And while that may be simple for you, it’s imperative that your customers know any differences in Location, Hours, Phone Number and Services – or at least that they can find […]

3 Current Problems That Could Be Affecting Your Dealership (Part 2)

Last week, we started talking about common Google Analytics problems affecting dealerships everywhere. And since I’m young, healthy and have a fast recovery time, guess what? Yup…we’re gonna do it again. Problem #1: Self Referrals in Your Reports What are “self referrals”? They’re what happens when your own website’s domain shows up on your site as referral traffic. This […]

3 Current Problems That Could Be Affecting Your Dealership (Part 1)

Today, let’s talk about 3 simple, but critical implementation problems plaguing the Google Analytics profiles of dealerships all around the country, right now, and could be affecting you. Problem #1: Data Loss Generally speaking, your analytics sessions are your vitals. If you see that line hit 0 and stay there, we’re calling time of death. That’s why we need […]

Harnessing the Power of Data & Analytics

No matter what business vertical you’re in, data plays an important role. It’s generated by every facet of your operation, and can help to inform real-time decision-making, give shape to more effective strategies in both the short and long-term and streamline your operation as a whole. It’s also the most efficient means of assessing the success of your digital marketing […]