Do people in your area find you on Google? If not, your Google Business Profile might be the problem. This free tool can help your small business show up when someone nearby searches for what you sell. In this post, we share simple tips to make your profile work harder for you.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is the free listing that shows up on Google and Google Maps. It shows your business name, address, phone number, hours, and reviews. When someone searches “cafe near me” or “plumber in Sydney”, this is what they see first.
Why Your Google Business Profile Matters So Much
Your Google Business Profile carries more weight for local search than any other single factor, and studies show it accounts for roughly 92% of what influences your spot in the local map pack. That is a big number. It means this one free tool can bring you more calls and visits than many paid ads.
Profiles that are filled out completely get 70% more visits and show up 18 times more often in search results. So a few small fixes can make a real difference.
Fill In Every Single Detail
Many business owners set up their profile once and never go back. Don’t do that. Fill out every field: categories, services, products, business description, attributes, and hours, including holiday hours.
Leaving fields blank sends the wrong signal. An incomplete profile tells Google, and potential customers, that your business might not be reliable. Take 15 minutes this week to check your profile and fill in any gaps.
- Business name, address, and phone number
- Website link and opening hours
- A clear description of what you do
- All the services or products you offer
Pick the Right Category for Your Business
This step is easy to miss, but it matters a lot. Selecting the right primary category determines where you appear in local searches, and secondary categories increase your reach for additional keywords. Choose the category that best matches what customers call your business, not just what sounds fancy.
Add Real Photos, Not Stock Ones
Customers want to see the real you. Use real photos. Your storefront, the inside, your team, and the actual work you have done. Avoid using stock photos from the internet. People can usually tell, and it feels less trustworthy.
Try to add a few new photos every month. Fresh photos keep your profile looking active and cared for.
Post Updates Every Week
Google Posts are like small updates you can share on your profile, a bit like a mini social media post. Use Google Posts weekly to highlight promotions, events, or new services, keeping your profile “alive” in Google’s eyes. It only takes a few minutes but it shows Google your business is active.
Keep Your Hours Accurate
Nothing frustrates a customer more than driving to a shop that says “open” online but is actually closed. Keep regular hours updated and don’t forget special hours around holidays, since nothing annoys a customer faster than a “closed” shop that was supposedly open. Set a calendar reminder before public holidays so you don’t forget to update this.
Get Reviews and Reply to Every One
Reviews help new customers trust you before they even visit. They also help your ranking. Respond to every review, positive or negative, within 24 to 48 hours. A short, polite reply shows you care about your customers.
Ask happy customers to leave a review after a good experience. A simple text message or a sign at the counter can go a long way.
Check Your Results Regularly
Your Google Business Profile gives you data on how people find you. Over 60% of local searches result in an action within 24 hours, so tracking these numbers helps you calculate real ROI. Check this once a month to see what is working and what needs fixing.
Simple Takeaway
Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing a local customer sees about your business. A few small, simple steps, filling in your details, adding real photos, posting weekly, and replying to reviews, can help you show up more often and win more customers.
Need help getting your online presence right? The team at Edge Tech Digital can help you set up and manage your Google Business Profile, website, and local SEO so you spend less time guessing and more time running your business. Get in touch with us today for a friendly chat about your business.