optimization for google business profile

Google Business Profile Optimization (The Foundation)

Google Business Profile Optimization (The Foundation)

Google Business Profile Optimization (The Foundation)

This guide covers everything from optimizing your Google Business Profile to achieving your first page ranking.

This guide covers everything from optimizing your Google Business Profile to achieving your first page ranking.

This guide covers everything from optimizing your Google Business Profile to achieving your first page ranking.

What Is A Google Business Profile?

What Is A Google Business Profile?

What Is A Google Business Profile?

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the single most important factor in local search rankings. It's what shows up in the map pack, those three businesses that appear at the top of local searches. If you're not in the map pack, you're missing out on the majority of local clicks.

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the single most important factor in local search rankings. It's what shows up in the map pack, those three businesses that appear at the top of local searches. If you're not in the map pack, you're missing out on the majority of local clicks.

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the single most important factor in local search rankings. It's what shows up in the map pack, those three businesses that appear at the top of local searches. If you're not in the map pack, you're missing out on the majority of local clicks.

Setting Up Your Profile the Right Way

Setting Up Your Profile the Right Way

Setting Up Your Profile the Right Way

First, claim your business if you haven't already. Go to google.com/business and follow the verification process. Google will typically send you a postcard with a verification code to your business address.


But here's where most businesses stop, and where you need to keep going.

First, claim your business if you haven't already. Go to google.com/business and follow the verification process. Google will typically send you a postcard with a verification code to your business address.


But here's where most businesses stop, and where you need to keep going.

First, claim your business if you haven't already. Go to google.com/business and follow the verification process. Google will typically send you a postcard with a verification code to your business address.


But here's where most businesses stop, and where you need to keep going.

Your Business Name

Your Business Name

Your Business Name

Use your actual business name. Don't stuff keywords into it like "Joe's Plumbing | Emergency Plumber | 24/7 Service." Google will penalize you for this. Your business name should match what's on your storefront, your website, and your business license.

Use your actual business name. Don't stuff keywords into it like "Joe's Plumbing | Emergency Plumber | 24/7 Service." Google will penalize you for this. Your business name should match what's on your storefront, your website, and your business license.

Use your actual business name. Don't stuff keywords into it like "Joe's Plumbing | Emergency Plumber | 24/7 Service." Google will penalize you for this. Your business name should match what's on your storefront, your website, and your business license.

Categories Matter More Than You Think

Categories Matter More Than You Think

Categories Matter More Than You Think

Your primary category is crucial. Choose the most specific category that describes your business. If you're an auto detailer, choose "Auto detailing service" not "Car wash." You can add secondary categories, but your primary category carries the most weight.


Think about what your customers are actually searching for. Google's autocomplete can give you hints about popular searches in your industry.

Your primary category is crucial. Choose the most specific category that describes your business. If you're an auto detailer, choose "Auto detailing service" not "Car wash." You can add secondary categories, but your primary category carries the most weight.


Think about what your customers are actually searching for. Google's autocomplete can give you hints about popular searches in your industry.

Your primary category is crucial. Choose the most specific category that describes your business. If you're an auto detailer, choose "Auto detailing service" not "Car wash." You can add secondary categories, but your primary category carries the most weight.


Think about what your customers are actually searching for. Google's autocomplete can give you hints about popular searches in your industry.

Your Business Description

Your Business Description

Your Business Description

You have 750 characters to tell Google and potential customers what you do. Use this space wisely. Include your services, your service area, and what makes you different. Use natural language and include keywords, but don't stuff them awkwardly.


Example: "Family-owned auto detailing service serving [City] since 2015. We specialize in paint correction, ceramic coating, and interior deep cleaning for luxury and everyday vehicles. Mobile service available throughout [County]."

You have 750 characters to tell Google and potential customers what you do. Use this space wisely. Include your services, your service area, and what makes you different. Use natural language and include keywords, but don't stuff them awkwardly.


Example: "Family-owned auto detailing service serving [City] since 2015. We specialize in paint correction, ceramic coating, and interior deep cleaning for luxury and everyday vehicles. Mobile service available throughout [County]."

You have 750 characters to tell Google and potential customers what you do. Use this space wisely. Include your services, your service area, and what makes you different. Use natural language and include keywords, but don't stuff them awkwardly.


Example: "Family-owned auto detailing service serving [City] since 2015. We specialize in paint correction, ceramic coating, and interior deep cleaning for luxury and everyday vehicles. Mobile service available throughout [County]."

SEO isn't just about rankings — it's about building a system that works while you sleep. [Learn more about our SEO approach]

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Service Areas

Service Areas

Service Areas

If you serve customers at their location (like contractors, mobile detailers, or plumbers), set up your service areas properly. You can list up to 20 cities or zip codes. Be specific about where you actually serve, don't just list everywhere within 50 miles hoping to rank.

If you serve customers at their location (like contractors, mobile detailers, or plumbers), set up your service areas properly. You can list up to 20 cities or zip codes. Be specific about where you actually serve, don't just list everywhere within 50 miles hoping to rank.

If you serve customers at their location (like contractors, mobile detailers, or plumbers), set up your service areas properly. You can list up to 20 cities or zip codes. Be specific about where you actually serve, don't just list everywhere within 50 miles hoping to rank.

Business Hours

Business Hours

Business Hours

Keep these updated, especially around holidays. Add special hours for holidays well in advance. Customers hate showing up to find you closed, and Google hates inaccurate information.

Keep these updated, especially around holidays. Add special hours for holidays well in advance. Customers hate showing up to find you closed, and Google hates inaccurate information.

Keep these updated, especially around holidays. Add special hours for holidays well in advance. Customers hate showing up to find you closed, and Google hates inaccurate information.

Photos and Videos

Photos and Videos

Photos and Videos

This is where most businesses leave massive opportunities on the table. Your Google Business Profile should have:


  • A professional logo

  • Cover photo that showcases your work

  • At least 10-15 high-quality photos of your work

  • Photos of your team

  • Interior/exterior photos if you have a location

  • Before and after photos for service businesses

  • New photos uploaded at least monthly


Photos impact your rankings. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks through to their websites.

This is where most businesses leave massive opportunities on the table. Your Google Business Profile should have:


  • A professional logo

  • Cover photo that showcases your work

  • At least 10-15 high-quality photos of your work

  • Photos of your team

  • Interior/exterior photos if you have a location

  • Before and after photos for service businesses

  • New photos uploaded at least monthly


Photos impact your rankings. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks through to their websites.

This is where most businesses leave massive opportunities on the table. Your Google Business Profile should have:


  • A professional logo

  • Cover photo that showcases your work

  • At least 10-15 high-quality photos of your work

  • Photos of your team

  • Interior/exterior photos if you have a location

  • Before and after photos for service businesses

  • New photos uploaded at least monthly


Photos impact your rankings. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks through to their websites.

Posts

Posts

Posts

Google Business Posts are free advertising. Use them weekly to share:


  • Special offers

  • New services

  • Recent projects

  • Tips and advice

  • Seasonal content


Posts stay live for seven days, so create a simple schedule to post every week.

Google Business Posts are free advertising. Use them weekly to share:


  • Special offers

  • New services

  • Recent projects

  • Tips and advice

  • Seasonal content


Posts stay live for seven days, so create a simple schedule to post every week.

Google Business Posts are free advertising. Use them weekly to share:


  • Special offers

  • New services

  • Recent projects

  • Tips and advice

  • Seasonal content


Posts stay live for seven days, so create a simple schedule to post every week.

Products and Services

Products and Services

Products and Services

List every service you offer with descriptions. This helps you show up for more specific searches. If you're a contractor, don't just list "home remodeling." List kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, deck building, etc.

List every service you offer with descriptions. This helps you show up for more specific searches. If you're a contractor, don't just list "home remodeling." List kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, deck building, etc.

List every service you offer with descriptions. This helps you show up for more specific searches. If you're a contractor, don't just list "home remodeling." List kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, deck building, etc.

Next Chapter

Next Chapter

Next Chapter

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