If you've ever searched for a business on Google and seen hours, photos, and reviews pop up on the right side of the screen, that's a Google Business Profile in action. It's one of the easiest ways to help local customers find you online. And the good news? You don’t need tech superpowers to set it up or make it work well for your business.
First things first, you’ll need to claim your profile. Go to google.com/business, sign in with a Google account, and search for your business. If it shows up, you can request to manage it. If it doesn’t, you can create a new profile from scratch. Google may ask to verify that you're the owner—usually by sending you a postcard with a code or giving you a phone call with instructions.
Once you’ve claimed it, it’s time to make your profile shine. Add clear photos of your storefront, products, or services. Make sure your hours, phone number, and address are correct too. These may seem like small items, but they make a big difference if someone is deciding whether to visit or contact you.
Customer reviews also play a big part. Try to respond to them—good or bad. Thank people for positive reviews, and for negative ones, reply with kindness and try to solve the problem mentioned. It shows you care, and it can help grow trust with others who are checking you out. Tools like reputationbuilder can help you stay on top of reviews without eating up too much of your time.
You can also add posts to your profile—kind of like mini blog entries. Let people know about a sale, a new product, or a fun event coming up. It’s a good way to stay active and give customers a reason to choose you over the next business they see in a Google search.
Keeping your profile updated is just as important as setting it up. If your hours change or you move locations, go in and update your info. People rely on what they see there.
Claiming and keeping up with your Google Business Profile doesn’t have to be hard or take up a lot of time. But doing it right can really help more people find you and build trust before they even walk through your door. So take a few minutes and check in on your profile—you’ll be glad you did.