Your company’s Google My Business profile can be daunting. It can seem like there’s a lot to complete, a lot to update, and so forth. That said, as Google My Business partners, we know that there are steps you can take right this moment to improve your profile. 

By fully leveraging the features of your profile, you can enhance your online visibility, engage with potential customers, and strengthen your credibility. Here’s how you can take action right now to make the most of your GMB profile.

Make Sure Everything is Filled Out As It Should Be 

Fill out every section of your profile with detailed and accurate information. While this might seem like an obvious task, many businesses overlook it. Essential details like your website address, hours of operation, and phone number are often missing, which can hurt your chances of ranking higher in local search results. 

Start with the basics: your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours. These are quick and easy wins that form the foundation of a complete profile.

These areas give you an opportunity to provide potential customers with the information they’re seeking. To fill these out effectively, consider what you’d want to know about a business at a glance if you were a first-time customer. 

Update Your Profile If It’s Been a Minute (and Do So Even If It Hasn’t) 

Keep the information up to date. Businesses with seasonal hours or regular changes to their offerings should pay special attention to this. Even minor discrepancies, like outdated hours, can lead to customer frustration and lost opportunities. 

Regularly reviewing your profile ensures that customers always have access to accurate, reliable information.

Consistency across the web is another vital element of maintaining a strong GMB profile. Your contact information on GMB should match exactly what appears on your website, social media accounts, and other online directories. Even small differences, like spelling out “Street” in one place and abbreviating it as “St” in another, can confuse Google’s algorithm and lower your search ranking. 

Make Sure “From The Business” Is Really From Your Business 

The “from the business” section is a key area where you have creative control. While some parts of your profile, like the short description under your business name, are auto-generated by Google, this section allows you to highlight what sets your business apart. Use this space wisely by focusing on your unique value proposition and including keywords that customers might use when searching for businesses like yours. Keep the most important details within the first 250 characters to ensure they grab attention, and avoid repeating information already found elsewhere in your profile.

Have You Listed All of Your Products/Services? Do You Have Great Pics? 

Include clear names, concise descriptions, and pricing details for each item to make it easy for customers to understand what you offer.

High-quality, descriptive photos are a must for a professional and appealing GMB profile. While customer-generated photos can add authenticity, they may not always present your business in the best light. 

Take the initiative to upload your own images that reflect the quality of your products or services. Profiles with images are perceived as more reputable and are twice as likely to engage potential customers compared to those without.

Regular updates to your profile signal to both customers and Google’s algorithm that your business is active and thriving. Posting photos, sharing updates, and publishing posts are effective ways to keep your profile dynamic. 

Customers Like to Leave Reviews, But They May Need Nudged 

Encourage your customers to leave reviews as well. Reviews not only enhance your credibility but also influence your ranking in local search results. A polite request to your most loyal customers is often all it takes to start gathering reviews.

When reviews come in, whether positive or negative, responding promptly is crucial. This not only shows potential customers that you value their feedback but also improves your standing in search results. Aim to respond within 24 hours to demonstrate your commitment to customer service.

Have you Shared Your GMB Through Your Social Media? 

Your GMB profile should be part of your overall social media strategy. While it doesn’t require daily updates like other platforms, regular activity is essential for maintaining visibility. Schedule monthly uploads of fresh photos, respond to questions and reviews as they come in, and ensure your profile reflects any changes in your business.

Google My Business Partners To Partner With Your Business 

At Website Depot, we’ve seen firsthand how a well-optimized Google My Business profile can transform a business’s online presence. After all, we’ve helped plenty of businesses to grow their GMB and, consequently, to grow their business. 

By taking these steps, you can ensure your profile stands out in local search results, attracts more customers, and strengthens your brand’s credibility. 

We help with so much more than GMB. Here, we have an entire team of content creators, videographers, web designers, developers, SEO pros, and more. To see how we can help, schedule a consultation through our site or by calling.