Mastering Google Business Profile Features

As a small business owner, you’re likely often looking for ways to improve your online presence. Websites and social media are great, but there's a powerful free tool you might be missing: Google Business Profile (GBP).

It's a tool that helps your company stand out on Google Search and Maps, boosting your online visibility even without a website, and complementing your existing digital presence.

If you haven’t yet set one up, watch our short video below. If you’ve already claimed yours, read on to make sure you’re using all the latest features get your more customers and improve the visibility of your business.

Quick wins and making your profile stand out with the latest updates and integrations.

To claim a GBP your business needs to have a physical location to accurately list and map your  businesses, so customers can find and engage with you locally.

But claiming your GBP is just the start. Optimising and regularly updating your GBP is where the magic happens. Here’s how to make yours stand out:

Reviews:

Customer reviews can significantly impact your business. Be prompt in responding to all reviews, positive or negative, to show potential customers your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Messaging:

One of the latest updates to GBP is the chat feature which allows for quick and efficient communication with potential customers. Use this feature to chat with customers in real-time, answer questions, address concerns, and ultimately convert interest into sales and appointments.

Photos:

People love visuals. Real pictures of your company help humanise your brand and attract more customers. Stock photos and marketing material images are not recommended.

Products and services:

If you sell physical products or offer services, add them to your GBP. This gives customers a quick overview of what you can offer them. Integrating Google Shopping allows you to connect your listings, making your products appear in relevant shopping searches and potentially reaching a wider audience.

Q&A:

The Q&A section is a great way for potential customers to gather more information about your business, products, or services. Remember, anyone can answer these questions, so it’s best to answer them promptly and accurately.

Updates and posts:

You can use posts to let people know about updates, offers, or events related to your business. Do this on a regular basis, having a monthly reminder is a good tactic.

Asking for reviews:

Reviews are crucial for building trust with potential clients. Google makes it easy to request reviews by providing a direct link you can share with your customers. 

Here’s a video on how to do just that:

So, what should you take away?

Google continues to emphasise the importance of user-generated content like reviews, Q&A sections, and photos. By regularly checking your profile and responding to reviews and questions you are showcasing your engagement with customers.

Google’s increased focus on local SEO:

Google Business Profile remains a crucial tool for local SEO. Regularly updating your profile with accurate information, including business hours, services offered, and high-quality photos, helps you rank higher in local Google searches.

Check out our playlist of short videos including real world stories from businesses successfully using GBP to grow their business. You can also hook your GBP into our free checkable tool to check it’s doing the most for your business.

Stay up to date with Google's frequent changes

Google is always tweaking GBP and adding new features. Regularly checking your GBP listing for new features or updates ensures your profile remains accurate and engaging for those who view your profile. Staying up to date means you’re making sure your Google Business Profile works hard for your business, making it more visible and appealing to potential customers. Join our Facebook community group to keep on top of updates. 

The community aspect

A unique aspect of GBP is that it's not completely under the business owner's control. It’s a community profile with both Google and users able to make changes – like modifying your address, updating your business hours, uploading photos, and leaving reviews. So it’s crucial that you regularly check your GBP to ensure no incorrect changes have been made.

Every small business owner can leverage Google Business Profile's powerful features to attract new customers, build trust, and ultimately grow their business. If you have any questions surrounding yours and you’re a Digital Boost member contact our support team for free.