Resources—Google Business Profile

.📍 Google Business Profile

Help Customers Find Your Business on Google

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.

What Is a Google Business Profile?

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.

🗺️ Google Search and Google Maps

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.

👥 Who Should Have a Google Business Profile?

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

Important

Not every business is eligible.

Google has specific eligibility requirements, so always check the current Google guidelines before creating a profile.

🏢 Your Business Information Matters

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.

🏷️ Choose the Right Business Category

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.

📍 Your Address and Service Area

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.

📞 Make It Easy to Contact You

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.

🌐 Connect Your Website

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.

📸 Use High-Quality Photos

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

AgencyOS Tip

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.

⭐ Customer Reviews

Reviews are an important part of many local businesses' online presence.

Encourage genuine customers to leave honest reviews after using your products or services.

Respond to Reviews

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

Important

Never buy fake reviews or create fake reviews for your own business.

Reviews should come from genuine customer experiences.

📝 Google Posts

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.

🛠️ Add Your Services

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.

🔍 Google Business Profile and Local SEO

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

Important

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.

🚫 Common Google Business Profile Mistakes

Avoid these common problems:

❌ Incorrect business information

Wrong telephone numbers, opening hours or website addresses can cost you customers.

❌ Wrong business category

Choosing an inaccurate category can make it harder for Google and customers to understand your business.

❌ Poor-quality photos

Blurry or irrelevant images don't present your business professionally.

❌ Ignoring reviews

Leaving genuine customer reviews unanswered can make the business look inactive.

❌ Keyword stuffing

Don't fill your business name or descriptions with unnatural keywords.

❌ Duplicate profiles

Creating unnecessary duplicate profiles can cause problems.

❌ Fake reviews

Never manufacture reviews or pay people to create fake customer experiences.

❌ Forgetting about the profile

Creating the profile and never updating it means you're missing opportunities to keep customers informed.

🔐 Protect Your Business Profile

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

AgencyOS Tip

Don't give your main Google account password to an outside agency.

Use Google's appropriate account-management/access features instead.

📊 Keep Your Profile Up to Date

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.

🧠 AgencyOS Checklist

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 Final Word

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.

AgencyOS Bottom Line

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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