What Is Google My Business and Why It Matters
Google My Business, now called Google Business Profile is a free tool designed for local businesses to manage their online presence in Google Search and Maps. It allows you to display essential business information like your address, hours, photos, and services. When properly optimized, this profile helps you appear in the coveted “local pack” and map results, increasing your visibility to potential customers nearby. Research shows that up to 76% of mobile users who perform a local search visit a business within a day, and nearly 28% make a purchase during that interaction. For small businesses, an optimized Business Profile is one of the highest-impact, cost-effective SEO moves you can make.
How Google Ranks Business Profile Listings
Google uses three main signals to determine which businesses appear in local searches: Relevance, Distance, and Prominence. Relevance evaluates how well your listing matches a user’s query. Distance is a measure of proximity to the searcher’s location. Prominence considers your brand’s authority and reputation, based on factors like online reviews, citations, backlinks, and overall web visibility. Consistently optimizing your Business Profile systems supports all three ranking signals.
Core Optimization Strategies for Your Business Profile
Claim, Verify, and Complete Every Detail
Begin by claiming your profile via Google Business Profile and completing the verification process—Google needs to confirm your location to show your listing in search and maps results. After verification, fill out all sections accurately and comprehensively: business name, address, phone number (NAP), categories, services, and website. Include both primary and relevant secondary categories to improve your odds in discovery searches.
Keep Business Hours and Special Openings Updated
Accurate business hours are critical. Users check them before visiting, and Google rewards up-to-date information. This includes holiday hours and occasional closures or special events. Well-maintained hours lead to better user experience and higher trust, both vital for conversions and visibility .
Write a Clear, Keyword-Rich Business Description
Within the 750-character limit, craft a description that highlights what sets your business apart, who you serve, and where you’re located. Incorporate natural, location- and service-based keywords like “vegan bakery in Birmingham” without keyword stuffing. A concise, authentic description helps Google match your profile to relevant search queries.
Don’t know how to do keyword research? Here’s the guide for you https://thunderdigitals.com/keyword-research-for-beginners/
Upload Photos, Videos, and Regular Posts
Visual content boosts engagement and ranking. Add profile and cover photos, interior and exterior shots, product/service images, and short videos. To stay current, publish weekly updates, offers, or events through the “Posts” feature, Google values active engagement.
Add Products, Services, and Attributes
Use every available field. Specify your products or services with images, descriptions, and prices. Highlight attributes such as “pet-friendly” or “wheelchair accessible” so users, and Google gain a clearer understanding of your offerings.
Building Trust and Engagement Through Reviews & Q&A
Encourage satisfied customers to leave honest reviews and make it easy by sharing a direct review link. Always respond—thank positive reviewers, address concerns in negative ones, and be professional and helpful. This shows Google and users that your business is attentive, active, and trustworthy, boosting both prominence and CTR.
Engage with the Questions & Answers feature—provide clear answers to common queries or leave seeded questions for users to see preemptively. This not only improves user experience but signals to Google that your listing is active and well-maintained.
Expand Visibility via Citations and Multi-Platform Consistency
Beyond Google, claim your listings in Bing Places, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and niche directories. Ensure your NAP details match exactly, down to punctuation, even “St.” vs “Street.” Consistency across platforms boosts your credibility in Google’s eyes and helps users find accurate information everywhere.
Check our guide for building powerful citations.
Monitor Insights and Continuously Improve
Use the performance data inside your Google Business Profile dashboard to see how many people view your profile, request directions, visit your website, or make a call. Combine this with Google Search Console and Analytics to understand wider SEO performance. Based on insights, refine your profile, tweak descriptions, update services, and refresh photos to stay relevant and competitive.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Business Profile Work Harder
An optimized Google Business Profile is a powerful tool for local businesses. By completing your profile comprehensively, posting regularly, engaging with users, and maintaining consistency across platforms, you boost your presence in local search and map results.
Ready to dominate local search in your area?
Let Thunder Digitals optimize your Google Business Profile, implement ongoing review and content strategies, and monitor performance for continuous improvement. Contact us today for a free Local SEO audit and let’s help your business become the go-to choice in your community.