5 Ways to Improve Your Google Business Profile

Man, it’s like 11pm AM and I’m staring at my screen—why am I even awake? Anyway… let’s talk Google Business Profile (formerly GMB). You need this. Trust me.

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Local SEO Visibility

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1. Optimize Your Business Information

Okay, so—uh—your info needs to be spot-on. No brainer, right? But you’d be surprised how many peeps mess this up.

H3: Accurate Business Name & Category

• Use your actual name. “Sunrise Bakery & Café.” Don’t be “#1 Best Bakery in the Universe.”

• Pick the right category. Bakery primary; coffee shop secondary.

  • I did this after that Matilda Bay storm last week—raining like crazy, I was at a café checking my phone, saw their GMB… boom, tweaked my own.

H3: Precise Address & Service Areas

• Verify your address, suite number, whatever.

• If you’re a plumber (or me when I try to fix my kitchen tap), set service areas instead of a public address.

  • Micro-pause—I once typed my home address as an office. Lol. Don’t do that.

H3: Up-to-Date Contact & Website

• Local phone format: (08) 1234 5678—build that trust, you know?

• Link to your hottest page—menu, booking, whatever.

  • Pro tip: Seasonal promos? Link to a special landing page. Track in Google Analytics. Kind of meta, but it works.

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2. Manage and Respond to Reviews

Ah, the dreaded reviews. I get it—scary. But if you ignore ’em, you might as well hide under the covers.

H3: Encouraging Reviews

• Ask right after the good stuff—checkout, post-service email, carrier pigeon… whatever.

• Send a direct review link via SMS or email. Quick and painless.

Random aside: I once emailed my mom for a review. She gave me 5 stars… but also asked if I could call her more. Sigh.

H3: Responding Professionally

• Respond within 48 hours—even “Thanks, Jane!” counts.

• Negative review?

  1. Apologize—“Sorry we messed up.”

  2. Offer to fix it offline.

  3. Invite them back—free coffee? Why not.

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3. Use High-Quality Photos and Videos

Visuals = engagement. Fact. Listings with pics get way more clicks. As satisfying as that first sip of coffee after a flood of emails.

H3: Profile & Cover Photos

• Logo: square, clear (300 × 300 px).

• Cover: outside shot of your place. No filter, no phone number plastered on it.

H3: Product & Service Visuals

• Show “in-action” shots—hair salon before/after, barista latte art.

• Short videos (10–30 sec):

  • Shop tour.

  • Mural painting in time-lapse.

  • Customer thumbs-up testimonial.

Micro-pause: I swear, I was editing these at 1 AM, humming some theme song I can’t recall…

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4. Leverage Google Posts and Updates

Google Posts are like your midnight thoughts—quick, raw, and kinda all over the place. But they work.

H3: Creating Engaging Posts

• Types: Offer / Event / Update / Product.

• Keep it <300 chars.

• CTA: “Learn More,” “Call Now,” etc.

H3: Highlight Offers & Events

• Holiday specials, back-to-school—whatever’s hot.

• Community events: fundraisers, workshops.

Real talk: A gym I know posted workout tips mid-week and saw a 25% class signup bump. Not kidding.

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5. Monitor Insights and Analytics

Analytics at 2 AM? Yes, because it’s addictive. You’ll see keywords ppl use to find you—like “gluten-free pastries Perth” (yep, real thing).

H3: Track Key Metrics

• Search Queries. What words bring people in?

• Customer Actions. Website clicks, calls, direction requests.

• Photo Views. Which pics get eyeballs?

H3: Data-Driven Tweaks

1. Update descriptions with top queries (“vegan,” “organic”).

2. If exterior shots win, snap more outside—seasonal window displays, maybe with raindrops from that Matilda Bay storm.

3. Post when engagement peaks—often mid-week, weirdly.

Tiny confession: I once ignored insights for months. Felt like flying blind… until I revamped based on data. Night & day.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I update my Google Business Profile?
Aim to update key details—hours, photos, posts—at least once a month. For seasonal changes or special offers, update as soon as those occur to keep your profile fresh.

2. Can I respond to reviews from my mobile device?
Yes! Use the Google Business Profile app (iOS/Android) to read and reply to reviews on the go. Quick responses show you’re attentive and boost engagement.

3. Do Google Posts really help with search rankings?
While Posts don’t directly influence rankings, they increase profile activity and user engagement—factors that can indirectly improve visibility in local search.

4. What’s the best image format and size for my profile photos?
JPEG or PNG files work best. Use at least 720 × 720 pixels for clarity, and stick to Google’s guidelines (no overlaid text or logos) to ensure proper display.

5. How do I track which actions users take on my profile?
In your Google Business Profile dashboard, check “Insights.” You’ll see data on searches, website clicks, direction requests, and calls—helping you understand what’s resonating.

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Conclusion

Alright, I’m rambling. But bottom line: nail your business info, master reviews, dazzle with visuals, post like you mean it, and geek out on analytics. Do these, and watch your profile—and leads—climb. Seriously, go sleep now. Or another coffee? Decisions, decisions…

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