Google My Business is like a free boost to SEO. Without it, you're missing out on hundreds of searchers who want to find your services.
Think of your Google Business Profile as your digital storefront. It’s often the first thing people see when they search for your business. From your location and hours to customer reviews and photos, it gives potential customers a quick, helpful snapshot of who you are and how to reach you.
But it’s more than just contact details. Your profile helps build trust, spark conversations, and keep your business top of mind, especially if you’re targeting a specific service area.
Optimizing your listing is one of the simplest ways to show up where it matters most: in local search results. Below, we’ll walk through six reasons why your GBP deserves your attention, plus tips to help you get more from it.
1. Get discovered through Google Search
As of May 2025, Google holds 89.54% of the search engine market share. That means nearly 9 in 10 people use Google to find what they need, including businesses like yours.
If you want to show up at the top of Google Search results, your Google Business Profile needs to be in top shape. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve your search rankings and get your business listing in front of high-intent local searchers.
By setting up your profile with the right address, keywords, and business category, you’ll increase your chances of being discovered without spending a cent. Unlike Google Ads or paid social, a GBP is completely free, which makes it an ideal marketing strategy for small businesses.
How to improve your GBP ranking
Google rewards business listings that provide accurate information and help people find what they’re looking for. The more complete your profile, the better.
Start by filling in the essentials:
- Your business hours
- Phone number
- Website
- Exact address
- A clearly defined business category
From there, add high-quality photos that showcase your storefront, interior, or products. Crisp, up-to-date visuals help your listing stand out and make it easier for customers to feel confident visiting you in person. And as a bonus, Google prioritizes listings with professional, high-res images.
2. Strengthen your website’s local SEO performance
If your business serves a specific area, having a local search engine optimization (SEO) strategy is a must and having an active Google Business Profile can play a big part in it.
When people make local search queries like “hair salon in Melbourne” or “shoe store near me,” a well-optimized profile can help your business show up in those results. It’s a simple way to attract more relevant web traffic from nearby customers who are already looking for what you offer.
How to optimize your GBP for local SEO
Start with the basics. Make sure your name, address, and phone number are accurate and consistent. Then verify your location. Google offers a few ways to do this, including phone, email, video, or postcard.
Next, give your business description a local boost by weaving in location-specific keywords. For example, instead of just saying you’re a “family-run bakery,” try “family-run bakery in downtown Austin.” Just be sure the phrasing feels natural. Keyword optimization is important, but it should never feel forced.
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Get Started for FREE3. Build social proof with customer reviews
Online reviews matter—a lot. In fact, 77% of customers always or regularly check reviews when browsing for local businesses, and 42% trust reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family.
With an active GBP, you can collect and display positive reviews at scale. It’s one of the easiest ways to build trust and help potential customers feel more confident choosing you over the competition. The more glowing reviews you have, the faster folks move from “just browsing” to “ready to buy.”
How to encourage customer reviews
Even your biggest fans might need a nudge. A quick, friendly reminder at checkout can go a long way. Have your team mention that you’d love an honest Google review. You can also add a little prompt to the bottom of your receipts. (Think: “Loved your visit? Let us (and Google) know!”)
And don’t ghost your reviewers. Whether the feedback is glowing or not-so-glowing, responding to all reviews shows you’re paying attention. 89% of customers expect businesses to reply to both positive and negative reviews, so meet them where they are and keep the conversation going.
4. Make it easy to find your shopfront through Google Maps
If you want people to visit your store in person, they need to know exactly where to go. A complete Google Business Profile connects directly to Google Maps, making it simple for new customers to get directions and head your way.
This kind of seamless online-to-offline experience removes friction and makes a strong first impression. And when it’s easy for new customers to find you, they’re more likely to come back again and again.
5. Engage your audience with Google Posts
Your Google Business Profile isn’t just for static info. It’s also a place to share relevant information with your customers in real time. Think new seasonal hours, limited-time sales, or upcoming events. Google Posts help you keep your audience in the loop, right where they’re already looking.
It’s a simple, low-effort way to boost visibility and drive more website traffic without needing another platform. Plus, keeping your latest information in one place makes your online presence feel polished, current, and easy to navigate.
How to post like a digital marketing pro
New to promoting your business online? Don’t stress about posting every day—just focus on sharing updates that are actually useful to your customers.
Think about what’s relevant to someone searching for your business: a change in hours, a special offer, or an upcoming event. Those kinds of posts keep your profile fresh and your audience informed without the pressure to post constantly.
If you’re already juggling multiple social media platforms, a social media management tool can help streamline the process so you can schedule and share updates without the back-and-forth.
6. Score powerful insights about your customers’ behavior
When you set up a Google Business Profile, you also unlock access to Google Analytics, which means you can start collecting valuable insights about how people are finding and interacting with your brand.
Here are just a few of the metrics you can track:
- Views: How often your profile, photos, and posts appear in search.
- Search queries: The exact keywords people are using to discover your brand.
- Engagement: See which posts or updates are generating the most activity.
- Audience: Who’s checking you out (by age, gender, and location).
- Website clicks: How many people are heading to your site or taking other high-value actions.
How to uncover audience insights
Digging into your Google Analytics data can help you better understand your audience and fine-tune your content based on what’s actually working.
For even more visibility, consider using a social media management tool with built-in reporting. Sked Social, for example, lets you track insights across all your Google locations, generate one-click PDF reports, and see everything from views and customer reviews to direction requests and profile activity in one place.
Engage your customers on all social media platforms, including Google
Your Google Business Profile is a high-impact touchpoint that helps you build trust, share updates, and connect with new customers. With just a little ongoing optimization, it can boost your visibility, drive customer engagement, and turn searchers into loyal fans.
Managing your GBP alongside other social media platforms doesn’t have to be a juggling act. Sked streamlines your workflow with bulk post creation, smart scheduling, social listening, and clear, actionable reports—built for agencies, multi-location brands, and fast-growing teams alike.
Ready to streamline your Google presence (and everything else)? Start your free Sked trial today!
