Hey everyone, and welcome back to Digital Dominance! I'm Linda Donnelly, and today we're tackling a topic that's crucial for any small business that wants to thrive online: your Google Business Profile.
Now, you might be thinking, "Oh, my Google listing? Yeah, I've got that set up. It's got my address and phone number. I'm good, right?" Well, not necessarily! Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is way more powerful than just a digital address book. It's often the first impression customers have of your business, and it can make or break whether they choose you or your competitor.
So, let's dive into why your GBP is so important and how you can make sure it's working for you.
Think of your GBP as your business's online welcome mat. It's the information that shows up on Google Search and Google Maps when people look for businesses like yours. It's a free tool, but it's incredibly valuable.
It includes your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, photos, and customer reviews.
When someone searches for "best coffee near me" or "plumber in [your town]," your GBP is what helps them find you.
People use it to find you: Did you know that 88% of consumers who search for local businesses on their smartphone end up calling or visiting that business within 24 hours? (Source: BrightLocal) That's a huge number!
It builds trust: A complete and accurate GBP makes your business look more reliable and professional.
It boosts your ranking: Google uses your GBP to help determine where you show up in search results.
It makes it easy to contact you: Customers can call you, get directions, or visit your website directly from your GBP.
And here's a key stat: Businesses with complete GBPs get 7 times more clicks than those with incomplete profiles. (Source: Google) That's a massive difference!
Now, to help you understand how well your GBP is performing, we offer a FREE scan. Think of it as a quick check-up for your online presence.
We'll give you an overall "health score" for your listing.
We'll point out any areas that need improvement.
This scan looks at things like:
Completeness: Is all your information filled out?
Accuracy: Is your information consistent across the web?
Photos: Do you have enough photos? Are they high-quality?
Reviews: What's your average star rating? How many reviews do you have?
And much more!
Here are some of the most common issues we see:
Incomplete Information: Missing hours, website address, or other details.
The Fix: Fill out every single field in your profile!
Inaccurate Information: Your information is different on different websites.
The Fix: Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent everywhere.
Not Enough Photos: Your profile looks boring and doesn't showcase your business.
The Fix: Add lots of high-quality photos and videos.
Bad Reviews: Negative reviews can scare away potential customers.
The Fix: Respond to reviews, both good and bad, and address any issues.
No Posts: You're not sharing updates and offers with your audience.
The Fix: Use Google Posts regularly to keep your profile fresh.
Businesses that complete their Google Business Profile are 2.7 times more likely to be considered reputable by consumers. (Source: Google)
64% of customers use Google Business Profiles to find contact information. (Source: Google)
Google Business Profile listings with photos get 35% more clicks than those without photos. (Source: Google)
We've been helping small businesses with their marketing for over a decade. We're experts at Google Business Profile optimization.
Our Google Business Optimization Pro program includes:
Profile Setup and Verification
Information Optimization
Category and Attribute Selection
Photo and Video Optimization
Review Management
Google Posts Management
Local SEO Integration
So, don't let your Google Business Profile be an afterthought! It's a powerful tool for attracting local customers. Get your free scan today and see how we can help you make it shine!
