How to use Google Business and Maps to Grow your Business

Use Your Google Business and Maps Profile to Boost Your Business and Your Ranking!

Google Business Profiles offer ALOT of customization and opportunities to get your business out there and get your phone ringing.

Side note: Google Business Profile has replaced Google My Business, Google Places for Business, Google Listings, and Google+ Business Pages.

If you are not sure if you have a profile, click HERE to check.

Below we will break down each section and help you make the most of this free tool. We have starred 🌟 the most impactful sections, as well as left some bonus tips ✅

1. Business Name

Ensure that your business name matches your official brand name. Avoid adding keywords or location information unless they are part of your legal business name. Consistency builds trust and prevents potential violations of Google’s guidelines.

2. Business Category 🌟

Choose the most accurate primary category for your business. This determines which searches you appear in. You can also add secondary categories to provide additional context about your services or products. For example, a bakery might use "Bakery" as the primary category and "Coffee Shop" as a secondary category.

3. Business Description

Write a clear and concise description of what your business is and does, then highlight what makes your business unique.

✅ Bonus Tip: Try focusing on answering these questions to write your description.

What does your business do?
What products or services do you offer?
What are your business values and why should customers choose you?
- Limit this section to 750 characters, with the most important information at the beginning.

4. Contact Information 🌟

Be sure that your phone number is listed on here, as that is the primary action customers take once they arrive to your profile.

Double-check that your phone number, website URL, and email address are accurate and consistent with the information on your website and other online listings. This consistency improves your local search rankings.

5. Hours of Operation

Keep your hours up-to-date, especially during holidays or special events. Include additional hours if you offer specific services (e.g., senior hours or pickup times).

6. Address and Service Area

If you have a physical location, make sure your address is correct.
For businesses that serve customers at their location (e.g., plumbers), specify your service area instead of a fixed address. This helps potential customers understand where you operate.

✅ Bonus Tip: If you have multiple locations - Create a Business Profile for each one.

7. Products and Services 🌟

List all your products and services with detailed descriptions, pricing (if applicable), and photos.

This section can be a major asset for a couple reasons:

Your products and services can act as keywords, that will lead anyone searching google for these specific things, straight to you.

This also helps customers understand what you offer and can directly impact purchasing decisions.

8. Posts 🌟

Use the Posts section to share updates, promotions, events, or feature new products. Posts remain visible for seven days, so update them regularly to keep your audience engaged. Include a call-to-action, such as "Learn More," "Call Now," or "Order Online."

This is another under used area of Google Business that could really help separate you from your competitors. Think of this as the social media section of Google 🙂

9. Photos and Videos

This section is often underutilized and something that can really help you stand out.

Include:

Exterior and interior photos to help customers recognize your location, plus legitimize you are a real company that isn’t going anywhere.
Photos of your team, products, or services.
Videos showcasing your offerings or highlighting customer experiences. Quality visuals build credibility and encourage engagement.

✅ Bonus Tip: Get some pictures of you or your crew on the job. This personalizes your business and helps future customers connect on a personal level.

10. Q&A Section

Do you have any common questions or maybe something that is always misunderstood about your business? This is the best section to set the record straight and give your customers the answers they are looking for. This is also a great way for a customer to interact with you or ask a question outside of business hours.

✅ Bonus Tip: Monitor this section regularly. Answer any questions promptly to provide helpful information and prevent incorrect or misleading answers from appearing.

11. Attributes

These are items that could differentiate you and your business from others. Add attributes that apply to your business, such as "Wheelchair Accessible," "Free Wi-Fi," or "Women-Owned." These details help customers make informed decisions.

12. Appointment and Booking Links 🌟

This section is great if applicable! If you already have a booking link, you can include direct links for booking appointments or reserving services. This streamlines the process for customers and can lead to more conversions.

13. Reviews and Ratings 🌟

Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. Respond to all reviews—positive and negative—to show you value customer feedback.

This is an amazing business growth hack and you can look forward to a separate article coming soon!

14. Insights

Check the Insights tab for valuable data on how customers find and interact with your business. Use this information to:

Understand which keywords drive traffic.
Adjust your strategy to focus on high-performing categories or services.

By fully optimizing each section of your Google My Business profile and Maps listing, you’ll enhance your online presence, attract more local customers, and create a positive impression. Regularly update your profile to reflect changes in your business and to stay relevant.

Don’t have a Google My business Account?

Click HERE for a step by step guide to claim or create a new Google Business Profile.