Step-by-Step Guide to Enhancing Your Google Business Profile

What is Google Business Profile?

Before we dive into the specifics, let us first discuss what a Google Business Profile is and why you should have one.

Also known as Google My Business, having a Google Business Profile allows you to manage your online presence on Google and appear in relevant searches. It’s a simple way where you can claim your business listing on Google Search and Maps.

Having a complete Google Business Profile can help:

• Improve your visibility on Google Search and Maps
• Boost credibility with photos and reviews
• Provide accurate information for potential customers
• Increase the chances of customers clicking through to your website

What makes it different?

Google Business Profile is a service specifically aimed at helping businesses manage their online presence and visibility. Here are some of the key differences between Google Business Profile and other Google services:

• Google Ads: Google Ads is Google’s advertising platform that allows businesses to show ads and promote their business on Google Search and other Google properties. While Google Business Profile helps with organic visibility, Google Ads helps with paid visibility.
• Google Analytics: Google Analytics provides insights and reports on website traffic and performance. Google Business Profile focuses on managing your business listing and profile, while Analytics focuses on analysing website traffic.
• Gmail: Gmail is Google’s email service for both personal and business use. Google Business Profile helps manage your business profile and listing, while Gmail is an email service.
• Google Drive: Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage and office suite product. While Google Drive helps store and share files, Google Business Profile helps manage your business listing and online visibility.

Google Business Profile is a specific service from Google aimed at helping businesses manage their online listing and visibility, while other Google services like Ads, Analytics, Gmail and Drive offer different functionality.

How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile

Now that you know more about Google Business Profile, let’s walk through how you can set up your own listing. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Login to Google Business Profile

The first thing you need to do is login to your Google account on the Google Business Profile website. Once you’re signed in, click the “Manage Now” button to begin adding your business information.

If you do not have an account yet, you can create one by signing up with your business email address. The sign up process is easy and Google will guide you through setting up your account.

Step 2: Add Your Business Information

Once you’re in, add your business details including:

• Business name
• Address
• Phone number
• Opening hours
• Website URL
• Business description

When adding your information, make sure that the details are accurate and up-to-date. This will help potential customers find your business easily and make a good first impression.

Step 3: Select Your Business Type

Next, select the type of business you’re running from the list of options. This will help categorise your listing and show up in relevant Google searches. Some common options include:

• Local business or organisation
• Restaurant
• Hotel
• Professional service (e.g. lawyer, accountant)
• Store
• Salon/spa

Make sure to pick the option that best matches your business category. If you’re uncertain about which option fits your business, select ‘Other’ and add a description. You can also change your selection later, if needed.

Step 4: Enter Your Location

One of the most important parts of setting up your Google Business Profile is adding your business location. To do so:

• Search for your business address in the “Add your business location” search bar
• Select the correct result from the list of options
• On the next page, confirm that the address shown is correct for your business
• Adjust the location pin on the map to accurately mark your business premises

Being able to show customers your correct location helps them find you easily. So double check that your location details are precise.

Step 5: Add Contact Information

Apart from your location, you also need to add your accurate contact information. As much as possible, include your business phone number, website URL, email address and social media profiles.

Providing multiple ways for customers to reach you helps improve their experience and increases the chances of them contacting you.

Step 6: Verifying your business

Lastly, you need to verify your business to confirm that you own it and improve your Business Profile’s visibility. Verification involves submitting documents like business registration details or utility bills.

Google will review your verification documents and activate the verification badge on your Business Profile. This badge helps customers trust that your business details are authentic and official.

Once you’ve completed all the necessary steps above, your Google Business Profile will be ready to go. But that’s not all that you need to do, you also need to optimise your profile so that potential customers can easily find it and engage with your business.

How to Optimise Your Google Business Profile

Optimization is a process where you improve your profile’s visibility and performance to attract more customers. In essence, it’s your opportunity to showcase your business to potential customers.

First, ensuring your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across all your online listings is an important part of optimising your Google Business Profile. Any inconsistencies can confuse customers and hurt your visibility. So double check that your:

• Business name
• Full address (including zip code)
• Primary phone number

Match exactly on your profile, website, and other online listings.

In addition, having a compelling business description that clearly explains what you do and who you serve helps customers understand your business and determines whether they are a good fit. So craft a description that highlights:

• Your primary products or services
• Your target customers and their needs
• What makes you different from competitors

Use a conversational, simple style that’s easy for customers to read.

Lastly, choose the business categories on your profile carefully based on your business type and the products/services you offer. The right categories help customers find you more easily when searching in Google.

Tips for Managing and Updating Your Google Business Profile

Adding Photos and Videos

Adding relevant photos and videos to your Google Business Profile can help customers visualise your business and products. Here are types of photos to consider:

• Interior photos showing your store, office space, or workspace
• Exterior photos of your storefront or office entrance
• Team photos highlighting your employees
• Product photos showcasing the items you sell
• Service photos illustrating the services you provide

When adding videos, aim for:

• Short, 15-30 second clips
• High-definition footage
• Clear audio
• Videos that demonstrate your products, services, or company culture
• Include a call to action at the end directing viewers to your website or contact information

Managing customer reviews and ratings

Customer reviews and rating can either make or break your business, so it’s important to respond promptly and thoughtfully. Below are some of the key points you can do to manage customer feedback professionally.

Encourage customers to leave reviews by:

• Asking customers directly via email or text
• Offering incentives like discounts or rewards points
• Posting on social media to prompt reviews

Respond to reviews promptly by:

• Thanking customers for positive feedback
• Addressing any issues raised in negative reviews in a polite, solution-focused manner

To handle fake reviews:

• Flag suspicious reviews to platforms like Google
• Ask customers to verify their order or visit in some way when leaving a review
• Monitor for patterns of similar 5-star reviews from new accounts

Utilising Google posts and updates

Google Posts are a great way to share timely updates with your customers on Google. You can:

• Announce sales, promotions and new products
• Share event details or schedule changes
• Provide service updates during closures or interruptions
• Post photos from an event or project to demonstrate your work in action

Keep posts short and sweet, around 100-200 words with an image. Post regularly to stay top-of-mind for local customers. Include a clear call to action for customers to contact you or visit your website.

Leveraging Google Business Profile for Local SEO

Google Business Profile can be a powerful tool for local SEO. Local SEO is important for businesses to reach customers searching for their products and services locally.

Local customers who search for businesses locally are more likely to make purchases right away. Having a strong presence in local search results gives businesses higher visibility to potential customers within their target area. This can translate directly into more walk-in customers, phone calls and orders, helping the business get ahead of local competitors. As a trusted local brand, local SEO also strengthens business awareness and supports other local marketing channels.

Tips for local SEO optimization using Google Business Profile

So how do you optimise your Google Business Profile for local SEO? Here are some tips:

• Use your business name, address and phone number prominently. This is key information for local SEO.
• Fill out all relevant sections like business category, description, services offered and business hours. The more complete your profile, the better.
• Upload multiple high-quality photos that show your business in action and showcase your products or services.
• Claim and complete your citations across other directories and maps. Google pulls this information into your Business Profile.
• Respond to customer reviews promptly and professionally. Positive reviews boost your local ranking.
• Publish relevant, local-focused posts regularly to engage local customers. Post about nearby events, local tips and community initiatives.
• Link to your website from your profile. Make sure your website is optimised for local search terms related to your business and location.
• Monitor and optimise your profile on an ongoing basis. Keep information up to date and fix any issues to maintain a polished online presence for local customers.

Advanced Tips and Best Practices

Utilising Insights and Analytics Google provides useful insights and analytics that businesses can utilise to improve their Google Business Profile and local marketing strategy. Businesses can see how many people viewed their profile, called or requested directions. They can also see which posts and updates received the most engagement. These insights help businesses determine what content and information resonates most with local customers. Businesses can then optimise their profile accordingly based on the data.

Leveraging User Reviews and Content User reviews and content provide valuable feedback and local perspective. Businesses should respond to all reviews professionally and promptly. They should also encourage positive reviews by thanking happy customers. Businesses can leverage user reviews and content by addressing common issues raised and showcasing positive reviews prominently. They can also promote high-quality user photos to enhance their profile visually.

Enhancing Your Profile with FAQs and Services Businesses can enhance their Google Business Profile by adding relevant FAQs and detailing the services they offer. This provides important information to local customers searching for answers and services related to the business. Businesses should include the most commonly asked questions and describe key services in a clear and concise manner. This helps inform potential customers and build trust by demonstrating expertise and transparency.

Mistakes to avoid

When optimising your Google Business Profile, there are some common mistakes businesses should try to sidestep:

• Out-of-date information: Make sure all details like business name, address, phone number and opening hours are up to date to avoid confusing customers.
• Lack of relevant photos: Include high-quality, local photos of your business interior, staff and products or services to engage customers visually.
• Overlooking local keywords: Optimise your profile for relevant local keywords that customers searching for your business or services are likely to use.
• Ignoring user reviews: Respond promptly and politely to every review, even negative ones. Address issues raised in a solution-focused manner.
• Inconsistent posting: Create a regular posting schedule for your Google Business feed and stick to it. Consistency will build customer awareness over time.
• No call-to-action: Include a clear call-to-action in your profile and posts that guides customers on next steps like visiting your website, contacting you or booking an appointment.

Conclusion

In summary, maintaining an optimised Google Business Profile is important to build trust, engage customers and generate more leads for your business. Keeping your information up-to-date, adding relevant photos and responding to reviews will help improve your visibility and customer experience. Your success in optimising your Google Business Profile ultimately depends on how well you understand your customers and provide the information and experiences they value.

Do you want to know more about optimising specific aspects of your profile? Let Verz Design help you optimise your profile and boost your local SEO. Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how we can tailor our services to drive more customers to your business!