The Ultimate Google Business Profile Optimization Guide for Local Businesses

At the start of 2020, it is a competitive time online and every local business owner knows that you need to stand out. For example, when someone searches “best bakery near me,” your business appears as a result – currently at the top. How did it get there? The GBP Your Google Business Profile.

It could be the difference between standing out and blending in, so optimize your GBP! But it is not just enough to be online, you need your online presence to work for you. Well then… How do you do this effectively? Check out this in-depth guide that will help you increase your visibility and win more business from local audiences in 2024.

Why Local Businesses Should Care?

Let’s kick things off with the why before we dive into the how-to.

Pretend someone in your neighborhood needs a service you provide. They whip out their phone, type in a search term and voila… there you are: your business, listed. With images of everything they need to see. That is how magical Google Business Profile is.

However, the thing is: putting up a profile is not enough. You have to manage it, feed it and maintain; A well optimized GBP can even help you to get more people in your store, more phone calls and more clicks on your website. It is your digital store open 24/7.

If you are a local business, you need people to know who you are in their area and trust that they should choose you over your competitors. Well, this is what a powerful Google business profile can do for you.

How Do You Claim and Set Up Your Google Business Profile?

If you haven’t claimed your GBP yet, that’s step number one.

1. Start by Claiming Your Business: Go to Google and search for your business name. If so, it would be possible to claim it by activating it as the owner. If you don’t see it, navigate to Google My Business and create your profile.
2. Verification is Important: The next message you will see from the Google side for sure will be to verify your business and they said this can be done by a postcard, phone etc. This is a very important step, and it is how Google verifies you are the business owner of that profile.Once verified, the real fun begins! You’ll be able to update your information, add photos, and engage with customer reviews. Now you’re officially on the digital map.

Are You Maximizing Your Business Information?

Your Google Business Profile is not just a listing; it is a treasure trove of info for potential customers.

Precise business details: Make sure your business name, address and phone number (NAP) across all platforms are exactly the same. You want to speak with only one voice so when we experience inaccuracies here, the impacts are not pleasing; you solace it is confusing and hurts your site’s search placement. Include your website URL and business hours here (along with holiday hours).

Select the Correct Category: This might sound trite, but this is crucial. For instance, for a pizza delivery place, you don’t want to use “restaurant” as your business. This would attract more targeted traffic as the term “Pizza Restaurant” is mentioned You can also include subcategories to specify what exactly you provide.

Description of the Business: This is where you get to impress. Tell the story of your business and what makes you different and why your customers should choose you. Make sure it is short, snappy and doesn’t feel forced to include keywords relevant to your business and what people are searching for.

How Do You Leverage Photos and Videos to Attract More Customers?

On the Google Business Profile side, once again one picture is worth a thousand clicks.

Photo Quality Matters: Listings with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions, and 35% more clicks to a website. Add photos of your products, store front and even some behind the scenes to put a face to your business. Consider the visual first impression you would like to give.

On trial for video: In 2024 Video is King Even a couple of seconds will show prospective shoppers what the shopping experience is like at your store. Even a 30 second clip of your chef cooking a dish or creating a team time lapse can pull in interest and differentiate why someone should choose your business.

That is only in words, a story telling. Get to the emotions by using visuals, by showing them why your business is unique.

How Do Customer Reviews Impact Your Google Business Profile?

Have you ever seen a 5-star review and immediately felt compelled to try that new spot? That’s the power of reviews.

Facilitate Positive Reviews: Ask your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and help boost your reputation that intern helps with SEO rankings. If customers leave reviews that include product or service-specific information, it will contribute to the data Google has about your business. Additionally, customers may be inclined to trust a company who has good reviews.

Reply to Reviews (Good and Bad): You should never let reviews collect dust — respond to them! Express gratitude for the good reviews, or professionally and quickly respond to bad ones. When you respond to reviews, you are conveying that you value the customer experience, which can affect future patrons.

Engagement is the most important part of reviews. Your answer, no matter if it is a shining endorsement or some genuine feedback, will influence the next customer to read your reviews.

Are You Utilizing Google Posts and Updates to Their Full Potential?

Google Posts allow you to connect with potential customers. It’s a social media network for search.

Acquaint Your Audience with Google Posts: Google Posts are tiny updates that show up directly in your Google Business Profile, from introducing special offers to showcasing fresh products. Offers a great way to keep your profile up-to-date and alive. Remember to create images and clear call-to-actions (CTAs).

Events and Promotions: Are you hosting an event? Promote it with Google Posts. Posts enable you to communicate with your audience in real-time, whether that is a one-off sale of the month or an event within your community.

Posts should be your profile cake so to speak. They take no effort to create, and they do a lot of work keeping your biz front-of-mind with your audience.

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5 FAQs with Answers:

1. It is 2024, why should my local business optimize its Google Business Profile?

When a website is not optimized, you as a business owner refuse getting more eyes on yours from google searches and in google maps. While local search trends have continued to soar, an optimized profile not only gives you a leg up on your competitors but also makes it easier for customers to find accurate information about your business in record timing.

2. How To Hack Your Google Business Profile for Local Search Rankings

We break their best practices down for you even more, such as claiming and filling out your profiles, selecting the most relevant business categories, adding high-quality images and receiving customer reviews. This helps let Google know that your profile is active and managed by someone from the business itself, and not just a listing on the web.

3. What do customer reviews do to my Google Business Profile stats?

Among the SEO for Local ranking factors, reviews are a must as they instill confidence in potential customers and affect how prominent your profile is in search results. Google — prioritize having positive reviews in high quantity. Answering reviews also shows consumers of all stripes that you take feedback seriously and have strong customer service ethics.

4. What should I be posting on my Google Business Profile?

Google Posts allow you to promote offers, update your audience on news or events and tout new products or services. For the 4th mistake: colorful images and compelling calls to action (CTAs) in your posts can drive more engagement making your profile update frequently and get new customers closer for a purchase.

5. How often should I update my Google Business Profile?

Keeping your Google Business Profile updated regularly is key. At a minimum, you should check your profile monthly to ensure all information (like hours, services, and contact details) is accurate. Posting updates or promotions weekly and responding to customer reviews promptly helps maintain an active and engaging profile, improving your visibility in local searches.