Maximizing Your Google My Business Profile

Introduction

Google My Business (GMB), now known as Google Business Profile (GBP), is a powerful tool for local businesses looking to boost their online presence. Having a well-optimized profile can significantly improve your visibility in search results and Google Maps, helping attract new customers and grow your business. But it’s not just about setting up the profile—it’s about optimizing it to its full potential.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to optimize your Google My Business profile and provide tips to maximize your local SEO efforts.

1. Claim and Verify Your Profile

Before you can optimize your profile, you need to claim ownership of your business listing. Here’s how:

Go to Google Business Profile.
Search for your business name to see if it’s already listed.
If listed, click “Claim this business.”
Google will send a verification code via email, phone, or postcard to confirm ownership.

Verification is crucial—only verified businesses can manage their profile and appear in local search results.

2. Complete Every Section of Your Profile

The more complete your profile, the more likely you are to appear in search results and build trust with potential customers. Focus on these key areas:

Business Name: Ensure it matches exactly with your business branding and signage.
Address and Service Area: If you provide services at customer locations, set a service area instead of a fixed address.
Business Hours: Include regular and holiday hours to help customers know when you’re open.
Phone Number and Website: Ensure your contact details are correct and up-to-date.
Categories: Choose primary and secondary categories that describe your business accurately.

Tip: Use keywords naturally within your description and offerings to enhance SEO.

3. Optimize Your Business Description

Google provides a section to describe your business. Use this opportunity to highlight your unique value proposition (UVP) and mention the services you offer. Keep it concise but informative—aim for around 750 characters.

Example for a Bathroom Remodeling Business:

"We specialize in transforming bathrooms into beautiful, functional spaces. From modern designs to classic upgrades, our expert team offers top-notch remodeling services throughout [City]. Schedule a free estimate today!"

Using relevant keywords in your description improves your chances of appearing in relevant local searches.

4. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Visual content plays a significant role in attracting potential customers. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website than those without.

What to Include:

Exterior photos to help customers find your location.
Interior photos to showcase your business atmosphere or store layout.
Product or service photos that highlight what you offer.
Team photos to build trust and add a personal touch.
Short videos showcasing your services or behind-the-scenes moments.
Make sure all photos and videos are high-resolution and relevant to your business.

5. Use Google Posts to Keep Your Audience Engaged

Google allows businesses to create posts directly on their profile to promote events, offers, and updates. These posts appear in your business profile on both search results and Maps, increasing engagement.

Types of Posts You Can Create:

Events: Announce upcoming sales, events, or workshops.
Offers: Highlight promotions and limited-time discounts.
Updates: Share news, achievements, or business changes.
Product Highlights: Feature specific products or services with photos and descriptions.

Posts remain active for seven days, so posting consistently keeps your profile fresh and engaging.

6. Collect and Respond to Customer Reviews

Reviews are essential for building trust and boosting local SEO. Businesses with positive reviews appear more credible and attract more clicks.

How to Encourage Reviews:

Politely ask satisfied customers to leave reviews.
Include a direct link to your Google profile in follow-up emails or SMS messages.
Display signage in your store encouraging customers to leave feedback.

Always respond to reviews—whether positive or negative. Thank happy customers for their feedback and address concerns raised in negative reviews to show you value customer input.

7. Use Attributes to Highlight Business Features

Google allows businesses to add attributes that describe special features, such as:

Women-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly, or Veteran-owned business
Wheelchair accessible entrance or restrooms
Outdoor seating or curbside pickup options

Attributes help your business stand out by highlighting features customers care about, especially for those looking for specific amenities.

8. Enable Messaging to Engage With Customers

Google Business Profile offers a messaging feature that allows potential customers to contact you directly from your profile. Quick responses to inquiries increase your chances of converting leads into customers.

How to Enable Messaging:

Log in to your Google Business Profile dashboard.
Click on "Messages" and toggle the feature on.
Set up automatic welcome messages to greet new inquiries.

Make sure your team monitors messages regularly to maintain prompt communication.

9. Monitor Insights to Track Performance

Google provides analytics tools called Insights to help businesses track how their profile is performing. You can see:

How customers find you (direct search vs. discovery search).
Where customers find your business (Google Search vs. Maps).
Actions customers take (website visits, calls, or direction requests).

Use these insights to refine your profile and improve your local SEO efforts. If you notice a drop in engagement, consider updating your photos, adding new posts, or asking for more reviews.

10. Keep Your Profile Updated

Your Google Business Profile is not a one-and-done task. Regular updates show Google—and your customers—that your business is active and engaged.

When to Update Your Profile:

Change of business hours or services.
New photos or product offerings.
Announcing promotions or special events.
Holiday closures or special schedules.

Consistently updating your profile ensures potential customers always have the most accurate and relevant information.