Google Business Profile: So Much To Do, So Little Time
Generated by Jeff Nelson using ChatGPT
Managing a Google Business Profile (GBP) can feel overwhelming.
It’s not a one-and-done setup—there’s a surprising amount to update, optimize, and maintain if you want to get the most out of your listing.
Whether you're doing it yourself or getting help, here’s a checklist of high-impact actions to keep your profile performing at its best.
1. Edit and Optimize
The more fields you complete, the more credible and useful your profile becomes. At a minimum, make sure you’ve filled out:
Profile Details – Business name, categories, description, and contact info.
Hours – Regular hours, special holiday hours, and seasonal adjustments.
Products and Services – This is especially important for businesses with multiple offerings or price tiers.
Bookings – If applicable, connect to a booking system so customers can reserve directly from your profile.
More Sections – Attributes like wheelchair access, women-led, veteran-owned, or amenities (Wi-Fi, washrooms, etc.) all add detail and relevance.
Additional Sections - Attributes like wheelchair access, women-led, veteran-owned, and amenities like Wi-Fi, washrooms, etc., add depth and relevance.
Tip: Revisit your profile regularly (weekly, monthly, or quarterly) to make sure everything is still accurate and relevant.
2. Reply to Reviews (and Q&A)
Reviews are gold—don’t ignore them. Every review, good or bad, deserves a response. This shows you're active, attentive, and care about your customers.
Also, check the Q&A section. Customers (and occasionally competitors) can post questions there. You can answer these proactively to provide accurate info and avoid misinformation.
Bonus: Add your own questions and answers to highlight key points about your business (yes, this is allowed!).
3. Photos
Visuals are powerful.
Hire a professional photographer if possible.
Showcase your storefront, team, interior, and products.
Keep it fresh—add seasonal or event-specific photos.
If you have a physical location, encourage your customers to add photos to your profile.
Google rewards active profiles, and new photos signal that your business is alive and well.
4. Posts (aka “Add Update”)
Posts let you share what’s new with customers—think of them as mini social updates that show up right in your listing.
There are several types:
Updates – Link to a blog post or news article (great for SEO too).
Offers – Promote limited-time deals or discounts.
Events – List upcoming events or workshops.
Try posting something weekly or biweekly to keep your profile dynamic.
5. Performance Reports
Google often sends a monthly email summary of your profile's activity, but don’t rely on that alone.
Take time to:
Review insights like calls, website clicks, direction requests, and profile views.
Track what’s changing month over month.
Provide your clients (or yourself) with a quick analysis—what’s working, and what’s not?
6. Advertise
Screenshot from Google Maps
Google Business Profile connects to Google Ads, specifically for Local Services Ads and Map-based Ads, not just traditional Search ads.
These ads boost your visibility in Google Maps with a prominent "Sponsored" badge, logo, and enhanced call-to-action.
If you have the budget, this is a powerful way to drive local traffic.
7. Ask for Reviews
More reviews = more credibility. But people won’t always leave them unless you make it easy.
Design a simple review card with a QR code linking directly to your Google review form.
Create an email campaign thanking recent customers and asking for their feedback.
The easier it is, the more likely they’ll leave a review.
8. Add Amenity Map (New!)
This is a lesser-known feature we recently spotted: Amenity Maps.
It appears in the scrolling section under Edit Profile, and allows you to embed a map on your website showing interesting places near your business—think parks, cafes, or landmarks.
You can add a snippet of code to your website, helping customers discover nearby amenities and giving Google another reason to trust and promote your listing.
Final Thoughts
A well-maintained Google Business Profile is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools you can use—especially for local businesses. It takes time, but the payoff in visibility, clicks, calls, and customer trust is worth the effort.
If it feels like too much to handle, don’t worry—you don’t have to do it all at once. Start with the basics, then build from there.
Better yet, get some help (from someone like us) to keep it all running smoothly.