📍Search Me! The Secret to Being Found on Google and LinkedIn

How having a consistent online presence helps you show up, stand out and get found by the right people.

When was the last time you Googled yourself?

Chances are, your LinkedIn profile is right up there at the top. But what else shows up? Is it consistent with what you say on your website? On your Google Business Profile? On social media?

That’s exactly what I explored in last month’s LinkedIn LoveIn Live with Google visibility expert Ric Hopwood, founder of Hopwood Creative. We chatted about what it really means to have a consistent online presence and why it’s far more important than just having a website.

Watch The LinkedIn™ LoveIn Live With Ric Hopwood . . .

Watch the replay in full either on LinkedIn or on YouTube.

OR keep reading for the key takeaways and action steps from our chat 😀

🔁 It’s All About Consistency

Ric explained that the number one secret to getting found online is consistency in how you look, sound, and show up across all platforms. That includes:

✅ Your LinkedIn profile

✅ Your Google Business Profile

✅ Your website

✅ And any other social platforms or directories

If your messaging, branding, and tone are inconsistent, it creates confusion, both for your potential clients and for Google’s search algorithm.

🗺️ What is a Google Business Profile (and do you need one?)

A Google Business Profile is a ‘free listing’ that acts like a mini-website for your business. You can:

✅ Add a bio and business description

✅ Share services and opening hours

✅ Upload photos

✅ Respond to reviews

✅ Even pre-load a Q&A section with the questions your customers are asking

“Google loves Google. So, if you feed it information using its own tools, you’re more likely to get noticed.”

Even if you don’t have a physical address (like many service providers including myself), you can still set a service area to improve local search visibility.

“Is there a minimum or maximum number of questions you should include in the Q&A section?” Apparently not. Ric explained there’s no limit and you can even ask and answer your own FAQs directly on your profile.

💻 So . . Do you even need a website?

For the first 7 years of my business LinkedIn was my website because that was where my audience hangs out. But Ric sees your business website as the hub of your business

Whilst your Google Business Profile and LinkedIn profile are your satellites driving traffic back to your main website.

All of which are working together to tell your story. That way, if any one platform changes its rules, you’ve still got other strong entry points online.

And I know I am often over reliant on LinkedIn which is why I am now working on other online touch points, because as we all know, we don’t own LinkedIn and they can change anything they like in an instant!

🔑 Keywords Matter

Both LinkedIn and Google rely on keywords to help you show up in search. Ric recommends:

✅ Using tools like AnswerThePublic, ChatGPT and Google’s keyword planner to uncover the questions your customers are asking

✅ Then building your content (and profiles) around those questions

✅ Making sure the same language appears across all platforms

In terms of SEO, LinkedIn ranks incredibly well on Google and can often be easier to optimise than your own website.  For example, I can get found on Google via my LinkedIn Profile, LinkedIn company pages and also articles.

So when it comes to keywords don’t forget to add them to your LinkedIn profile, your company page and articles to get found on Google!

⭐ Google Reviews (Still Matter!)

Google reviews still play a big role in your search visibility. The aim is for at least 5 reviews to help your listing stand out and keep adding more.

What about LinkedIn recommendations?

I, of course always ask for a LinkedIn recommendation so an action for me going forward to build up my Google review is to ask for both a LinkedIn recommendation and a Google Review. Going forward I plan to message the people who have given me a LinkedIn recommendation and ask them if they can add the same recommendation to a Google Review

📊 Ric’s Free Tool: The Business Snapshot Report

Ric has a brilliant free tool that scans your online presence across platforms. It checks:

✅ Where your business is mentioned

✅ How consistent your messaging is

✅ How your site performs technically

✅ Where the gaps and quick wins are

It’s a great starting point if you’re not sure how you’re currently showing up online.

If you’d like Ric’s Business Snapshot report for your business connect wiht Ric Hopwood on LinkedIn and message him to get yours.

🧩 Final Thought: Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

As I admitted during the LinkedIn LoveIn, I’ve been very LinkedIn-reliant! But platforms come and go and we don’t own LinkedIn. That’s why having a broader, more resilient online presence is key including.

✅ Website; ✅ Google Business Profile; ✅ LinkedIn; ✅ And anywhere else your clients might be looking

All saying the same thing. All pointing in the same direction.

Because visibility builds credibility and credibility leads to conversations.

📢 Over to you – have you Googled yourself recently? What shows up?

Need more support with LinkedIn?

💥 If LinkedIn isn’t working hard for you or you’re not sure where to start with using LinkedIn, email judy@judithparsons.comor connect with me on LinkedIn to chat about how I can help.

Or book a virtual brew here and let’s make LinkedIn work for you . . . ⭐

I run regular LinkedIn LoveIns which are short 30-minute learnings over lunch, often with guest experts to help improve LinkedIn results. If you’d like to be notified of new events why not join my LinkedIn LoveIn group. You can also find the recordings of previous LoveIns as well as tips and updates here.