A Google Business Profile is a must-have for Atlantic Canadian businesses. It is your digital storefront, providing key information and boosting visibility on Google Search and Google Maps. Too often, local small businesses setup their listing and never return; failing to leverage the power of some advanced features and leaving significant business growth opportunities on the table. Today, we’re going to share five easy, free, actionable tips to supercharge your Google Business Profile. A polished Google Business Profile includes attention to the essentials, regular updates, business hours, questions and answers, and strong visuals.
01. Rock the essentials
To truly rock your Google Business Profile, nail those essentials with precision. Name, location (or service area), contact info, website, hours, services, and social media links—they’re the backbone of your online presence. Get them right, and you’ll stand out in the digital crowd, making it easy for customers to find and engage with your business.
02. Amplify, boost, conquer
To amplify the benefits of your Google Business Profile, you can tap into the power of posts to boost engagement and reach. Regularly adding posts to inform, offers to entice, or events to excite keeps your profile fresh and your audience engaged. Don’t just exist online—stand out by consistently inspiring customers to interact with your business.
03. Are you open?
Your hours of operation should be listed and should always up to date on your Google Business Profile. So, stay on top of your game by promptly updating your business hours, including holiday hours. A couple of days’ notice for holiday hours keeps everyone in the loop. Consistency is key to customer satisfaction so you should make sure you sync your hours across all platforms—website, socials, and listings—for a strong, consistent, and reliable customer experience.
04. What the FAQ?
The people have questions (yes, often the same super annoying ones). Do you have answers? If so, you can be turning searches into opportunities. Harness the power of ‘Questions & Answers’ to address common questions head-on, ensuring customers have the information they need—when they’re looking for it—to make informed purchasing decisions.
05. Strut your stuff
The best way to grab a customer’s attention and get them to see, review, and engage with your Google Business Profile, is to leverage visual elements. Level up with captivating photos (interior, exterior, staff, customers, and products/services), a striking cover image, and your logo. These elements not only catch the eye but also make you memorable, ensuring you stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression on potential customers.
Watch ’em engage
If you can spend the few minutes required to do this each month, you will see an increase in traffic to your website and an increase in business over the long term. Google Business Profiles are an important indicator of credibility and trust with Google, they represent are an essential touch point for small businesses. This little effort provides big results with an SEO boost and increased customer engagement and brand awareness.