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When it comes to building a strong online presence, one question often comes up: is a Google Business Profile important? And if it is important, how important? For any business aiming to compete in the digital marketing world that we all now have to play in, the answer is a resounding yes.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) helps businesses connect with potential customers by appearing in local search results, Google Maps, and more. For businesses in areas like ours, Bundaberg, and elsewhere, leveraging GBP effectively can mean more potential customers can find your business. You can even start building trust and credibility with them before they deal directly with your business.
At its core, Google Business Profile is a comprehensive (and free) business listing provided by Google. It allows you to showcase essential details such as your business name, address, contact information, opening hours, and photos. You can even share updates like promotions, special events, or changes in operation.
But GBP isn’t just a static listing. Its features, like customer reviews, direct messaging, and Q&A sections, make it a dynamic tool for fostering customer engagement. Unlike other platforms like Yelp or Bing Places for Business, GBP is tightly integrated with Google Search and Maps, making it incredibly important for local search visibility.
Someone would see your Google Business Profile anytime they searched Google for your business name. Google may have even set up a GBP for you and people could be leaving reviews. This is definitely something you want control over and can get by claiming your profile.
One of the key benefits of a well-maintained GBP is its ability to help your business get found by local searchers (local SEO).
Imagine someone in Bundaberg searching for “best cafes near me.” If your café has an optimised GBP, there’s a good chance it will appear in the coveted Google Maps 3-pack—the top three local business listings displayed in search results. This visibility can significantly increase foot traffic and sales. People trust what they see in that 3-pack and think those businesses are good.
Think of your Google Business Profile as your virtual storefront. Even if someone has never heard of your business, they can discover you through local searches. Having an updated profile complete with high-quality photos, business descriptions, and services builds credibility and helps potential customers choose you over competitors.
You may think this is similar to a social media account but it’s a bit different. Your GBP helps active searchers find you, shows reviews, helps consumers make a decision on whether to do business with you (or not) and influences where you show up in search rankings.
Your GBP isn’t just a listing; it’s a communication channel. Customers can call, message, or visit your website directly from your profile. Additionally, you can use posts to share news, offers, or behind-the-scenes updates, creating more touchpoints to engage your audience.
Customer reviews are one of the most influential factors in a consumer’s decision-making process. A collection of positive reviews on your GBP can make your business more appealing. Equally important is how you handle negative reviews—responding politely and professionally shows you care and value customer feedback.
Once you understand that your Google Business Profile can have a real impact on your business, you realise it’s time to act.
The good thing is that it’s not that hard to optimise your profile. And it’s also not all that time-consuming.
If you haven’t already, claiming and verifying your GBP is step one. It’s generally a straightforward process that unlocks all the features of the tool. Sometimes a video walkthrough of your business is required so set aside some time to get this set up right. Google needs to know that you are legit and this requires some effort put in. But it’s worth it.
Reviews are vital for visibility and trust. Politely ask happy customers to leave a review and make it easy by sharing your GBP link. In our SEO Bundaberg work, we’ve found that reviews are absolutely the most important part of getting your business to show up well (or at all) in local search results. You could be doing everything else right but if you don’t have reviews, it just won’t be enough in most cases.
Make sure your business details are up-to-date and consistent with your website. This helps avoid confusion and improves your credibility in search engines.
Upload eye-catching photos, write compelling descriptions, and take advantage of posts to keep your profile active.
While platforms like Yelp and Bing Places for Business can complement your online presence, none offer the seamless integration with Google Search and Maps that GBP provides. For our SEO Bundaberg clients, we’ve found that the GBP is an irreplaceable tool for local SEO.
Some other platforms may complement your efforts and they are:
So, is Google Business Profile important? Absolutely. It’s not just a tool for visibility; it’s a bridge between you and your customers. By optimising your profile, you can boost local SEO, enhance customer engagement, and build trust—all critical components for growing your business.
If managing your GBP and local SEO feels overwhelming, partnering with professional SEO experts can make all the difference. With expertise in local SEO and tools like GBP, our SEO Bundaberg team can help your business thrive in Bundaberg and beyond. Get in touch to learn more.
