Setting Up Your Google Business Profile

Before diving into optimisation, ensure that your GBP is set up and verified. Follow these steps:

1. Create Your Profile: Visit business.google.com and create an account. Fill in your business name, address, and contact information accurately.
2. Verify Your Business: Google will send a verification code to your business address. Enter this code to verify your profile. N.B. This can sometimes be an absolute pain and take weeks.
3. Complete Your Profile: Fill out all the sections in your profile, including business hours, website URL, and business description. Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.

Adding and Optimising Services

To maximise your visibility, add detailed information about the services you offer:

1. Add Services: Navigate to the "Services" section in your GBP dashboard. Add all the services you provide, with detailed descriptions for each. This will allow your profile to rank for searches which contain those services. It will also send a signal to Google to rank your website for these services.
2. Optimise Descriptions: Use relevant keywords in your service descriptions to improve your chances of appearing in search results. Make sure the descriptions are clear and concise.

Choosing the Right Images

Images play a crucial role in attracting customers to your profile. Here's how to choose the right ones:

1. Upload High-Quality Images: Use high-resolution images that represent your business well. Avoid blurry or pixelated photos.
2. Variety of Images: Include a variety of images such as your storefront, interior, products, team members, and happy customers. This gives potential customers a comprehensive view of your business.

Using the Question and Answer Feature

The Q&A feature on your GBP allows customers to ask questions about your business. Use this feature effectively:

1. Monitor Questions: Regularly check for new questions and answer them promptly.
2. Provide Helpful Answers: Ensure your answers are clear, helpful, and accurate. This helps build trust with potential customers.
3. Add Common Questions: Proactively add and answer common questions that customers might have about your business.

Regularly Updating Your Profile

Maintaining an updated profile is crucial for continued success:

1. Update Information: Regularly check and update your business hours (for physical businesses), contact information, and other details. N.B. Make sure to update your holiday hours!
2. Post Updates: Use the "Posts" feature to share updates, promotions, and events. This keeps your profile active and engaging.
3. Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your profile. Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, to show you value customer feedback.

Conclusion

Optimising your Google Business Profile is a continuous process that can significantly enhance your online visibility and attract more customers. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll ensure your profile is comprehensive, engaging, and up-to-date.

FAQs

What images should I put on my Google Business Profile?

Include high-quality images of your storefront, interior, products, team members, and happy customers to give potential customers a comprehensive view of your business.

How to use the Question and Answer feature on my Google Business Profile?

Regularly check for new questions and provide clear, helpful, and accurate answers. Proactively add and answer common questions to help build trust with potential customers.

Should I add products to my Google Business Profile?

No. It’s an underbaked feature on Google which isn’t super valuable. I suggest not to bother doing it as it requires a significant amount of upkeep to keep it up to date as the process is very manual.

This guide is written by Hedgehog, a Done With You digital marketing consultancy specialising in small and medium businesses in Australia. We offer digital marketing consulting, coaching, and training.

Happy marketing!

‍