Resources—Google Business Profile
Resources—Google Business Profile
.📍 Google Business Profile
When people search Google for a local business, service or product, they may see businesses displayed in Google Search and Google Maps.
A Google Business Profile helps you control how your business information appears in these Google results.
For a local business, having an accurate and properly managed profile can be an important part of your online presence.
A Google Business Profile is a free business listing that allows eligible businesses to manage information about their business on Google.
Depending on the business and its eligibility, the profile can display information such as:
Business name
Address
Phone number
Website
Opening hours
Business category
Services
Photos
Customer reviews
Location on Google Maps
Posts and updates
Customers can use this information to learn about your business and decide whether to contact or visit you.
Your Google Business Profile can appear in different places across Google's services.
For example, someone might search:
plumber near me
or:
web designer in Bloemfontein
Google may show local businesses that match the search.
A customer may also find your business directly through Google Maps.
This is why your profile should contain accurate and useful information.
Google Business Profiles are particularly useful for businesses that interact with customers in person or serve customers in specific areas.
Examples include:
Plumbers
Electricians
Builders
Accountants
Lawyers
Hairdressers
Beauty salons
Restaurants
Cafés
Retail shops
Cleaning companies
Security companies
Auto repair businesses
Real estate businesses
Consultants
Professional services
Home-service businesses
Not every business is eligible.
Google has specific eligibility requirements, so always check the current Google guidelines before creating a profile.
One of the most important parts of your profile is the basic business information.
Make sure your information is:
Accurate
Your customers should be able to contact you.
Complete
Provide as much relevant information as Google allows.
Consistent
Your business name, address and phone number should be consistent with your other online listings where appropriate.
Up to date
If your phone number, hours or website changes, update your profile.
Your primary business category helps Google understand what your business does.
Choosing the most appropriate category is important.
For example, a business might need to choose between categories related to:
Web design
Marketing
Computer services
Advertising
Consulting
Don't choose a category simply because it sounds popular.
Choose the category that most accurately represents the business.
You may also be able to add additional categories where appropriate.
Not every business operates from a customer-facing premises.
Some businesses travel to customers or operate as service-area businesses.
Depending on the business and Google's current requirements, you may be able to configure the profile differently.
For example:
A plumber
may travel to customers rather than have a shop that customers visit.
A restaurant
normally has a physical location where customers visit.
The profile should accurately represent how the business operates.
Your profile should make it easy for potential customers to take the next step.
Depending on the business, this might be:
Phone call
Website visit
Directions
Booking
Message
Visit to the business
Make sure the contact information you provide actually works.
If your business has a website, add it to your Google Business Profile where appropriate.
This gives customers another way to learn about your business.
Your website and Google Business Profile should also provide consistent information.
For example:
Business name
Telephone number
Address
Opening hours
should not contradict each other.
Photos can help customers understand your business before they contact you.
Depending on your business, consider adding:
Logo
Exterior photographs
Interior photographs
Products
Services
Staff
Equipment
Completed work
Before-and-after examples where appropriate
Don't upload random low-quality photographs just to fill the profile.
Use clear, relevant images that help potential customers understand what you actually offer.
Reviews are an important part of many local businesses' online presence.
Encourage genuine customers to leave honest reviews after using your products or services.
Don't only respond to negative reviews.
Where appropriate, thank customers for positive reviews as well.
For negative reviews:
Remain professional
Don't become argumentative
Don't reveal private customer information
Try to resolve genuine problems
Keep your response concise
Never buy fake reviews or create fake reviews for your own business.
Reviews should come from genuine customer experiences.
Depending on the features currently available to your profile, Google may allow you to publish updates or posts.
These can be useful for sharing:
Special offers
New services
Events
Announcements
Business updates
Seasonal information
Helpful content
Keep posts useful rather than publishing content simply for the sake of posting.
If your profile allows you to list services, make use of the opportunity.
For example, a plumber might list:
Leak repairs
Drain cleaning
Geyser installation
Bathroom plumbing
A web agency might list:
Website design
Website improvement
SEO
Website maintenance
Use clear descriptions that tell potential customers what you actually provide.
Your Google Business Profile is one part of your local online presence.
Local visibility can also be influenced by things such as:
Website quality
Relevant content
Business information consistency
Customer reviews
Location relevance
Links and mentions from other websites
The searcher's location
The specific search being performed
No legitimate agency can guarantee that your business will always appear in position #1 on Google Maps.
Google determines its search results using its own systems and many factors.
Avoid these common problems:
Wrong telephone numbers, opening hours or website addresses can cost you customers.
Choosing an inaccurate category can make it harder for Google and customers to understand your business.
Blurry or irrelevant images don't present your business professionally.
Leaving genuine customer reviews unanswered can make the business look inactive.
Don't fill your business name or descriptions with unnatural keywords.
Creating unnecessary duplicate profiles can cause problems.
Never manufacture reviews or pay people to create fake customer experiences.
Creating the profile and never updating it means you're missing opportunities to keep customers informed.
Your Google Business Profile is an important business asset.
Make sure:
The correct business owner has control
Account recovery information is current
Access is only given to people who need it
Former employees or agencies have their access removed when appropriate
Your Google account is protected with strong security measures
Don't give your main Google account password to an outside agency.
Use Google's appropriate account-management/access features instead.
Businesses change.
You may:
Move premises
Change telephone numbers
Change opening hours
Add services
Remove services
Launch a new website
Add new photographs
Receive new reviews
Review your profile regularly and keep the information current.
Before considering your Google Business Profile properly set up, check:
☑ Business name is correct
☑ Correct primary category selected
☑ Address/service area is accurate
☑ Phone number works
☑ Website link works
☑ Opening hours are correct
☑ Business description is complete
☑ Services are listed where appropriate
☑ Quality photographs have been added
☑ Reviews are being monitored
☑ Reviews receive appropriate responses
☑ Google Posts are used where useful
☑ Business information matches your website
☑ Account access is properly controlled
A Google Business Profile is not a magic button that guarantees customers.
It is one part of your overall online presence.
The best results come from combining an accurate Google Business Profile with a professional website, useful content, good customer service and genuine customer reviews.
Make it easy for people to find you, understand what you do, trust your business and contact you.
That's what your Google Business Profile should help accomplish.
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