Reaching out to more prospects for your business works all the time when the approach is right. You’ve probably heard of Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), but you’re not quite sure how to make it work for your business.
Common mistakes most small business owner make with their Google business profile are not considering having a profile at all, setting up the details halfway and completely forgetting to keep up with it.
But here’s the thing, when optimized properly, your Google Business Profile can literally drive customers straight to your door, reducing helping to improve your organic visibility.
In this guide, we’ll break down a Google Business Profile optimization strategy that actually works. Simple steps that help your business show up higher in search and maps when people are looking for what you offer. Ready?
1. Claim and Verify Your Business the Right Way
First things first, if you haven’t already claimed your profile, start by clicking on google.com/business and follow the steps to sign up your business. Google will send a postcard or let you verify by Video/phone/email, depending on your business type.
2. Use the Exact Details Everywhere
Your business name and other NAP details should be coherent across your other social media platforms and business listings.
I’ll call it NAP which stands for Name, Address and Phone Number. This trio must match across your website, social media, and local directories.
If your website says “124 Clothing store” but your profile says “123 Clothing house,” Google will likely assume you’re two different businesses.
Google likes it when you keep things clean and consistent, it helps to build your rankings as well trust for your business.
3. Choose the Right Categories
Yes, Your primary category is your bread and butter. But don’t stop there. You need to add some secondary categories (submarkets)that describe everything you offer.
For example, if you’re a “Chef,” but you also sell utensils, consider adding “ Utensil Shop” or “Kitchen Appliances Shop”. You need to be more specific and use keywords your potential customer will be using; “Hair Salon” will rank better than “Beauty Services” which sounds more complex when it comes to explaining what your business offers.
4. Write a Real Business Description—Not a Sales Pitch
This is where a lot of people mess things up! Your business description should explain, what you do, who you are for and what makes your business stand out uniquely.
People make their description messy by doing the “keyword stuffing”. You should aim to communicate to your customers, as though you’re speaking physically to them.
No one wants to read the Ai generated gibberish or spurned content on your Google profile, a human written about us page content tells better your story as a budding brand.
Are you a hair salon stylist that gets the job done in a jiffy? Say that. Keep it clear, helpful and real.
5. Add High-Quality Photos (Not Just Your Logo)
Photos play a big role in how often your profile gets clicks. If you want to improve your visibility, add exterior and interior shots of your workshop, so people can recognize your location, products and customer-friendly images that show your vibe. A blurry picture is a no no! Google favours profiles that with natural ambience, active and trustworthy.
6. Post Regularly Like It’s Social Media
Post regularly to keep your profile fresh and remind Google that you’re still active. It can be done once or twice per week, to show up in your profile and on mobile searches.
You can publish posts on your Google profile just like on Instagram or Facebook with snippet of captions and texts. To make your post engaging, you can share upcoming offers, such as summer sales, black friday deals, introducing new products, sharing useful and valuable tips that help your audience.
7. Ask for Reviews
But, do it the right way! No need to lobby your customers or mechanise the process to game Google. Positive reviews will boost your rankings and build social proof.
You can ask happy customers to leave a review right after a good experience. To make it easier, generate a direct review link and send it to them.
And be very generous by responding to every single review you get, good or bad. Always sound thankful and address be professional when assessing their concerns. The more you respond, the better your reputation.
8. Use Messaging and Q&A to Your Advantage
Customers that want to reach you can do so directly on your profile when your messaging is enabled and respond fast to their messages.
Also, monitor your “Questions & Answers” section. Sometimes random users will answer questions for you (and not always correctly). Jump in and provide clear, helpful answers from your official account.
9. Set Business Hours (and Keep Them Updated)
Ever seen a business listed as “Open” on Google, only to arrive and find the doors shut? Annoying, right?
And that shouldn’t be you. Your business hours should be updated and keep it truthful, especially during holidays. With Google options now, you can set special hours and even temporary closures.
10. Add Services, Web or Menu if Applicable
If you offer services (like a salon or law firm), or you run a restaurant, use the “Services” or “Menu” tab to list them out. You can include descriptions and prices too. This helps your listing appear for more specific searches like “haircut for kids near me” or “vegan lunch menu.”
11. Track Performance in Insights
Once everything is in place, keep an eye on your Insights tab, which keeps you on track. You’ll see how people found you either on map or search, what keywords they used and what actions they took (calls, directions, website visits) and where they abandoned your site . This helps you understand what’s working and what to do more of.
Bonus:
If you’ve got a website (which you should), make sure it’s linked on your profile and that your site is optimized for local SEO. This involves having your exact Name, Address and Phone number information on every page, creating location-based content and adding schema markup.
Final Thoughts
A well-optimized Google Business Profile is an asset. It’s a living and breathing part of your local marketing strategy. When you keep it active, honest, and helpful, you’re more likely to show up where it counts and when customers are looking for you.
The best part? It’s free. To rank or show up on Google, you should work with reviews and feedback you get from your customers. These small changes can make a big difference over time. Always keep your info updated as well. And before you notice, your profile can become a magnet for real, ready-to-buy customers.
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