Do I Need A Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile: Your Free Online Shop Window
Imagine someone nearby is searching for a business just like yours.
They pick up their phone and type something like:
- “Hairdresser near me”
- “Local plumber”
- “Coffee shop in Wolverhampton”
- “Digital marketer in Willenhall”
Google quickly displays a selection of local businesses. The big question is: will your business be one of them?
A Google Business Profile can help make sure it is!
What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is a free business listing that allows your company to appear on Google Search and Google Maps.
It gives potential customers useful information about your business, including:
- Your business name
- Address or service area
- Telephone number
- Website
- Opening hours
- Products and services
- Photos and videos
- Customer reviews
- Business updates and special offers
Think of it as your digital shop window. Even if you don’t have a physical shop, your profile can show people who you are, what you offer and how they can contact you.
When someone searches for your business by name, your profile may appear prominently in the search results. If they search for the type of service you provide, your profile could also appear alongside other relevant local businesses.
Who can have a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profiles are designed for businesses that meet customers face-to-face.
This includes:
- Shops, cafés, salons and other businesses customers can visit
- Tradespeople who travel to their customers
- Mobile businesses
- Businesses working from home that visit customers
- Service providers operating within a particular local area
If you work from home and don’t want your home address displayed, don’t panic! You can hide the address and show your service area instead.
However, businesses that operate completely online and never meet customers in person are not normally eligible. You can check the full Google Business Profile eligibility guidance before creating your listing.
Why does your business need one?
1. It helps local customers find you
People regularly use Google to find nearby products and services. A complete Business Profile gives Google more information about your business and helps it understand when your listing could be useful to someone searching locally.
Put simply, if Google doesn’t know your business exists, it will have a much harder time showing it to people!
2. It makes your business look trustworthy
Customers are naturally cautious, especially when they haven’t used a business before.
A professional profile containing accurate information, genuine photos and customer reviews helps show that your business is active and legitimate.
An empty or outdated profile can create the opposite impression. If your profile says you close at 5pm but your website says 6pm, customers may wonder which one is correct.
3. Customers can contact you quickly
Your profile makes it easy for someone to:
- Call your business
- Visit your website
- Ask for directions
- Read your reviews
- View your services
- Check your opening hours
The fewer hoops people have to jump through, the more likely they are to contact you.
4. Reviews provide valuable social proof
You can tell people that your business is brilliant—but it is usually much more convincing when your customers say it!
Google reviews allow happy customers to share their experiences. They can help potential customers feel more confident about choosing you.
Remember to reply to reviews too. A friendly thank-you shows that you appreciate your customers. If you receive a negative review, respond calmly and professionally rather than starting a keyboard battle at midnight!
5. You can share posts and updates
Your profile isn’t something you create and then forget about.
You can publish updates such as:
- New services
- Special offers
- Business news
- Seasonal opening hours
- Upcoming events
- Helpful tips
Regular updates help customers see that your business is active.
6. You can learn how customers find you
Your profile provides performance information that can help you understand how people interact with your business.
Depending on the features available, you may be able to see actions such as website clicks, calls and requests for directions. This can give you a clearer picture of what potential customers are interested in.