Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most powerful tools for local businesses. When optimized correctly, it can drive significant foot traffic, phone calls, and website visits. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk through every step to ensure your profile is fully optimized for 2026.
1. Complete Every Section of Your Profile
Google rewards completeness. Profiles that have every section filled out rank higher in local search results. Make sure you've completed:
- Business name (exact match to real-world signage)
- Primary and secondary categories
- Complete address and service areas
- Phone number and website URL
- Business hours including special hours
- Business description (750 characters max)
- Products and services with prices
- Attributes and amenities
2. Choose the Right Business Categories
Your primary category is the single most important ranking factor for local SEO. Choose the category that most accurately describes your core business. You can add up to 9 additional categories, but only add those that truly apply to your services.
Pro Tip: Research your top-ranking competitors to see what categories they use. Tools like LocalGMBSEO can help you analyze competitor profiles and identify optimal category combinations.
3. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos
Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks. Upload at least:
- Cover photo (represents your business)
- Logo (square format)
- Interior photos (at least 3)
- Exterior photos (helps customers find you)
- Team photos (builds trust)
- Product/service photos
- Short video (30-60 seconds)
4. Collect and Respond to Reviews
Reviews are a top-3 ranking factor for local SEO. Actively encourage happy customers to leave reviews, and respond to every review—positive or negative—within 24-48 hours. This shows potential customers (and Google) that you're engaged and care about customer feedback.
5. Post Regular Updates
Google Posts allow you to share news, offers, events, and updates directly on your profile. Businesses that post weekly see higher engagement and improved rankings. Types of posts include:
- What's New (general updates)
- Offers (promotions with CTAs)
- Events (with dates and details)
- Products (highlight specific items)
6. Monitor Your Insights
Google provides valuable data about how customers find and interact with your profile. Track metrics like:
- How customers search for you (direct vs. discovery)
- Where customers view your listing (Search vs. Maps)
- Customer actions (calls, directions, website clicks)
- Photo views compared to competitors
- Popular times and visit duration
Ready to Optimize Your Profile?
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