What are 10 Things People Should Do to Have a Successful Google Business Profile (GBP)?

Having a strong online presence is essential for local businesses, and Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the best tools to achieve this. It helps businesses appear prominently in local search results, increases visibility, and drives more customers to their physical or online locations. But simply creating a GBP isn’t enough—you need to actively optimize it to make the most of it.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 key strategies to ensure your Google Business Profile is successful, attracting more local customers and boosting your overall visibility on Google Search and Maps.

1. Claim and Verify Your Google Business Profile

The first step to a successful GBP is to claim and verify your business on Google. By doing this, you assert ownership of the profile, which allows you to manage it effectively.

• How to Claim: Go to Google Business Profile and enter your business information.
• How to Verify: Google will prompt you to verify your business, typically by mail, phone, or email.

Claiming and verifying your profile builds trust with potential customers and ensures your business appears accurately in local search results. Unverified profiles have limited features and lower visibility, so make this step your priority.

2. Complete Your Business Information Accurately

An optimized GBP starts with complete and accurate business information. Google uses this information to match your profile with relevant local searches.

• Include key details such as your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website, business hours, and service areas.
• Add additional categories related to your business to ensure you’re appearing for a broad range of searches.
• Regularly update your information, especially if there are changes in hours, location, or contact details.

The more complete your information, the better your chances of showing up in the Google Local Pack (the map section at the top of search results).

3. Select the Right Business Category

Your primary business category is one of the most influential factors in determining your profile’s visibility.

• Choose the primary category that most accurately represents your business. For example, if you run a pizzeria, your primary category should be “Pizza Restaurant.”
• Add secondary categories that describe additional services you offer, such as “Italian Restaurant” or “Food Delivery.”

Selecting the right categories improves your ranking in relevant searches, making it easier for customers to find you.

4. Write a Compelling Business Description

A well-written business description can make your GBP stand out and communicate your brand’s value proposition.

• Use up to 750 characters to describe your business, focusing on your services, unique offerings, and the reasons customers should choose you.
• Include relevant keywords naturally within your description to enhance SEO.

For example, if you own a bakery, your description could be: “At Sweet Treats Bakery, we offer freshly baked goods, including cakes, pastries, and cookies made with organic ingredients. Visit us for special events or daily cravings in the heart of downtown.”

5. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Visual content is a powerful tool for engaging users and increasing your profile’s appeal. Google states that profiles with photos receive 35% more clicks than those without.

• Upload high-quality photos of your business, products, services, staff, and interior/exterior spaces.
• Consider adding videos that showcase your services, behind-the-scenes moments, or customer testimonials.

Make sure your images and videos are optimized (proper file size and format) to load quickly and look professional.

6. Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews

Reviews are a crucial element of your Google Business Profile, influencing both visibility and consumer trust.

• Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews by asking them politely via email, text, or in person.
• Respond promptly to both positive and negative reviews. Thank customers for positive feedback and address any concerns raised in negative reviews professionally and courteously.

A good review strategy can lead to higher rankings and improved trust among potential customers.

7. Utilize Google Posts to Engage Customers

Google Posts allow you to share updates, events, promotions, and news directly on your GBP.

• Use Google Posts to promote upcoming events, share special offers, or highlight new products/services.
• Include images, a call-to-action (e.g., “Learn More,” “Call Now”), and relevant keywords to enhance visibility.

8. Add a List of Products and Services

Google Business Profile allows you to showcase your products and services directly on your listing.

• List your top products/services with descriptions, prices, and photos.
• This not only helps in better visibility but also lets customers know exactly what to expect before visiting your store or website.

Providing detailed information can enhance user experience and drive more inquiries or foot traffic.

9. Use Insights to Track Performance

Google Business Profile provides a built-in Insights tool that shows how customers interact with your profile.

• Insights can reveal data such as the number of views, searches, clicks, calls, and direction requests your profile receives.
• Analyze this data to understand which aspects of your profile are working well and where there’s room for improvement.

By tracking your performance, you can identify trends, optimize your listing further, and make data-driven decisions to increase engagement.

10. Add Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The FAQ section of your GBP allows you to address common customer inquiries directly on your profile.

• Add FAQs relevant to your business, such as opening hours, available services, pricing, or booking information.
• Answer customer-generated questions promptly to maintain an updated and helpful FAQ section.

A well-maintained FAQ section can save potential customers time and improve user experience.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is a critical strategy for local SEO success. By following these 10 steps, you’ll not only improve your GBP’s visibility and engagement but also attract more customers and grow your business. Remember, a well-maintained GBP builds credibility, drives more traffic, and enhances your overall online presence. Take action today and start reaping the benefits of a fully optimized Google Business Profile!

If you’d rather have us do the managing for you, we are glad to do so! Email us today at support@strottner.com, or contact us through the contact form on our website. You can also run an SEO audit using the free tool found on EVERY PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE! What are you waiting for, grow your business today!