Your Google Business Profile Is Your Most Valuable Free Marketing Asset
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool that allows business owners to manage how their business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. For small businesses in Texas, it is arguably the single most important marketing asset you have — and the vast majority of business owners are not using it to its full potential.
A fully optimized Google Business Profile can put your business in front of thousands of local customers every month at zero cost. This guide covers every element you need to optimize right now.
1. Business Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP)
Your NAP information must be 100% accurate and consistent with what appears on your website and all other online directories. Inconsistency is one of the top reasons businesses fail to rank on Google Maps. Use your exact legal business name — don’t stuff keywords into your business name as it violates Google’s guidelines.
2. Business Categories
Choose the most accurate primary category for your business — this has the biggest impact on what searches your listing appears for. You can also add secondary categories to capture related searches. Research what categories your top-ranking competitors are using.
3. Business Description
Write a compelling 750-character description of your business that naturally incorporates relevant keywords and your service area. Mention your city and state, your core services, and what makes you different. Don’t keyword-stuff — write for humans first, with SEO in mind.
4. Photos and Videos
Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to their websites. Upload high-quality photos of your exterior, interior, team, products/services, and completed work. Add new photos at least once per month — freshness matters.
5. Google Posts
Google Posts are mini social media posts that appear directly on your business profile. Use them to share offers, events, new services, blog posts, and news. Post at least once per week to signal to Google that your profile is active and up to date.
6. Q&A Section
The Questions & Answers section on your profile lets customers ask questions publicly. Proactively add your own Q&A by posting common questions and answering them yourself. This both provides helpful information and adds keyword-rich content to your profile.
7. Services and Products
Add all of your services and products with descriptions and prices (where applicable). This expands the keywords your profile can rank for and gives potential customers a complete picture of what you offer.
8. Review Management
Respond to every review — positive and negative. Thank customers for positive reviews personally. For negative reviews, respond professionally, acknowledge the concern, and offer to make it right offline. Review responses show both Google and potential customers that you’re an engaged, caring business owner.
Let MultiGen Manage Your Google Business Profile
Optimizing your Google Business Profile is just the beginning. Maintaining it — posting updates, managing reviews, adding photos, responding to Q&A, and monitoring rankings — is an ongoing process that takes time most small business owners don’t have.
MultiGen Online Marketing’s local map listing management service handles all of this for you, so your Google Business Profile is always working at maximum performance. Get in touch today for a free profile audit.
