Google Business Profile

Why you need a Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free business listing from Google. It allows you to provide details and photos of your business, including your location, website address, services and products.

Creating this free profile is a great way to increase your visibility across Google services. Information from your GBP may appear in Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping and is an integral part of search engine optimisation and web design.

GBP is only available to businesses that have contact with customers. This includes businesses with a physical location (like a restaurant or store) and businesses that provide services by meeting with clients in other locations (like consultants or plumbers).

What are the benefits?

Get discovered in Google (and Google Maps).

Whether you’re looking for foot traffic or web traffic, Google is the ultimate search referrer. A GBP helps ensure that people find your business when looking for products and services in their local area.
Your GBP listing shows searchers where and how to visit your business. It also improves your local SEO. A listing for a local business is more likely to appear when people search for a nearby business using Google Maps.

Control your online business information.

Your GBP allows you to control and update your contact information, business hours, and other essential details as needed.

Keep your details updated.

You can post updates to share that you’ve expanded your services, temporarily closed, or fully reopened (an especially useful feature during emergencies like COVID-19). Your GBP adds to your local SEO and the information you share will probably rank above third-party sites that might have out-of-date details.

Build trust through reviews.

Reviews are a key element of social proof and a meaningful way to build trust and credibility for your brand, particularly within your local area. Google’s star rating and space for detailed reviews allow customers to share as much or as little information about their experience with your business as they like.
All of this helps potential customers decide which businesses to visit and what products to buy.

How to maximise your Profile.

Complete all elements of your profile.

Customers are 3 times more likely to consider your business reputable if you have a complete Google Business Profile. They’re also 70% more likely to visit your website. Google specifically states that “businesses with complete and accurate information are easier to match with the right searches”. This improves your score for relevance and helps you rank higher. The key here is to tell Google visitors “what you do, where you are, and when they can visit”. If your business hours change around holidays or seasons, make sure to keep them up to date.

Verify your business and its location.

Verified business locations are “more likely to show in local search results across Google products, like Maps and Search.” Including a verified location also helps improve your score for the distance ranking factor.

Add real images and videos of your business.

Your GBP includes a logo and cover photo. Use images consistent with those on your social profiles to make it easier for people to recognize your brand.
But don’t stop there. Add images and videos to showcase your location, work environment, and team. If you run a restaurant, post pictures of your meals, menus, and dining room. Make sure they look appetising, and professional, and aren’t low-res.
According to Google, businesses with photos receive more requests for directions and more clicks through to their websites.