Google Business Profile Guide

Google Business Profile plays a key role in local SEO and how businesses appear in Google search and Maps. For many local companies, it is one of the most effective ways to improve visibility, attract nearby customers, and generate high intent enquiries.

In this guide, we explain what Google Business Profile is, how it works, and why it is essential for businesses that want to improve their local search presence.

Completing and Optimising Your Business Profile

Once you have claimed your profile, it is important to complete as much information as possible. Optimise your page by filling out all necessary fields such as opening hours, address and services. Of the people that search for local businesses, 40% of people want to find out the hours of operation for local businesses. If these are not displayed, you may discourage or lose customers to other companies.

In the description of your business, make sure that you add keywords and try to make it as local as possible. The description is an overview of your services and what you offer, but by adding keywords you will increase the likelihood of it being displayed for highly relevant searches.

There is also a new feature to GBP, the option to edit your business profile directly from search or maps. If you search your business on Google you will see the option to edit, verify or solve issues. This does include being able to edit what users see from search or maps like address, business hours, create posts and respond to reviews.

This is especially useful as a lot of businesses do not realise that any user can make changes to your GBP profile, anyone can edit address, opening hours and photos. Therefore it’s very important to check that no incorrect information is published on your profile and that it remains compliant with Google’s policies, to ensure that your account does not get suspended.

Managing Opening Hours, Products, and Services

When you input your opening hours make sure that you are as detailed as possible. Insert your main hours and days that you are closed (if applicable) but remember to update any changes such as temporary closures, bank holidays and Christmas. This provides good customer service as you are keeping them updated.

Adding products and services is a great way to showcase what your business sells and offers. It gives users more information about what you sell, so they can make an informed decision and are more likely to have a higher intent when it comes to purchase or clicking through to the website. On your profile you are able to add product names, prices, descriptions and imagery. Similarly with businesses such as plumbers, builders and electricians it is beneficial to add the services you carry out, users will be able to see what you offer and ultimately provide you with more qualified leads.

Using Photos, Reviews, and Customer Interaction

Photos play an important role in how customers perceive your business. Listings with images receive more engagement, including more requests for directions. Showing your products, services, premises, or team helps build trust and gives customers a clearer idea of what to expect before they get in touch.

Customer interaction is just as important. Google Business Profile allows you to respond to reviews, reply to messages, and answer questions directly on your listing. The questions and answers section is a useful place to address common queries and provide helpful information. Responding regularly shows that your business is active, approachable, and values customer feedback, which can encourage more people to choose your business.

Understanding Google Business Profile Insights

Google Business Profile Insights helps you understand how people are finding and interacting with your business on Google Search and Maps. It provides clear data on how customers discover your profile and what they do next.

Insights shows whether people found your business by searching directly for your name or by discovering you through searches for services, products, or categories you offer. This information is useful for understanding how visible your business is locally and which areas of your profile may need improvement.

You can also see how customers interact with your listing, including visits to your website, requests for directions, and phone calls. Insights highlights the most popular times customers contact your business, helping you understand customer behaviour and plan resources more effectively.

By reviewing this data regularly, you can refine your Google Business Profile, improve local visibility, and make better decisions about your wider local SEO strategy.

If you would like to know more about how Google Business Profile and local search can improve your visibility and generate more qualified leads, feel free to get in touch with us at KH Digital for a no obligation chat.