In today’s digital-first world, being found locally is essential for small businesses. Whether you’re a salon, a bakery, or a legal consultant, your Google Business Profile (GBP)—formerly known as Google My Business—is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. Optimizing it is not just helpful; it’s critical.
Here are 7 proven tips to boost your local visibility and attract more customers through your Google Business Profile:
1. Complete Every Section of Your Profile
Google loves complete profiles. The more information you provide, the more confident Google is in showing your business to users. Ensure these fields are fully filled:
- Business Name
- Business Category
- Physical Address
- Phone Number
- Website
- Business Hours
- Attributes (e.g., “LGBTQ+ friendly,” “wheelchair accessible”)
- Business Description
- Opening Date
✅ Tip: Use keywords naturally in your business description to improve relevance.
2. Keep Your Information Updated
Wrong hours or outdated contact info can turn customers away and hurt your rankings. Regularly review and update:
- Holiday hours
- Temporary closures
- New phone numbers or websites
- Services or product changes
📌 Pro Tip: Set a monthly reminder to review and refresh your listing.
3. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos
Photos build trust and engagement. Listings with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to websites, according to Google.
Post regularly:
- Storefront and interior
- Team members
- Products or services
- Customer interactions
- Short behind-the-scenes videos
🎯 Tip: Use geo-tagged images for local relevance.
4. Collect and Respond to Reviews
Online reviews are powerful ranking signals and influence buyer trust. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews—and always respond, whether it’s a thank you or an apology.
✅ Good Practice:
- Ask in person or via email
- Create a review request link
- Respond within 48 hours
🗨️ Bonus: Use keywords in your responses to help with relevance in local search.
5. Use Posts to Share Updates and Offers
Google Posts allow you to publish content directly to your Business Profile. Use them to:
- Promote events
- Highlight offers or sales
- Share blog updates
- Announce new products
⏱️ Tip: These posts expire after 7 days, so update weekly to stay fresh in local results.
6. Enable Messaging to Connect with Customers
Let customers message you directly from your profile. This improves customer experience and helps convert curious visitors into paying customers.
📲 Tip: Respond quickly! Slow responses can hurt your listing’s performance.
7. Track Insights and Optimize
Monitor your profile’s performance under the Insights section:
- How customers find your business (search or maps)
- What keywords they use
- What actions they take (calls, clicks, requests)
📈 Use this data to refine your strategy, improve listings, and focus your marketing efforts on what works.
Final Thoughts
Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression you make online. For small businesses, it’s a free and powerful tool to compete in local markets. By keeping it optimized, current, and engaging, you’ll not only improve your local SEO but also earn customer trust and drive foot traffic.
