Dear business owner, did you know you can get customers or visits from your Google business profile? In this post, I talked about how you can generate organic visits for your Google business profile.

Google business profile is best for local SEO and will let you get customers searching for your service if you have a well optimized profile listed.

Imagine you have a restaurant in your area and a visitor looking for a restaurant nearby finds your business on the GBP. As a business owner, you need to leverage every possible places that your customers are likely to visit.

And one of the places is using Google map or what we call the Google Business Profile.

This is what I’m talking about…

As you can see, I typed “Pharmacy near me” in the Google search bar and Google suggested some pharmacy stores to me.

Your competitors are using this secret to steal away your customers and grow their google business profile audience.

So if you haven’t listed your business to the GBP, I will guide you in this post to do so and also show you some best practices to generate visits to your Google Business Profile.

The goal for the Google Business Profile is to let you rank for local keywords. I am going to show you how to rank for local keywords later in this post.

Another thing that will help you generate organic visit to your Google Business Profile is to encourage your customers to give you reviews. Let it be natural and don’t force them to give you reviews though.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what we are going to learn today, I want you to remove yourself from all kind of distractions and carefully read this post to get the secret of generating organic visit to your Google Business profile.

First thing first…

How To List Your Business On Google Business Profile

The first thing you have to do, whether you have a website or not is to list your business on Google. If only you have a physical store you wants people to visit and patronize your business or service, then you need to do this.

Step 1:  Start by going to google.com/business

Step 2:  Log in with your Google account

Step 3: Enter Business Name

Now at this point, I want you to pay a very close attention. This is where you put in your business name.

NB: You can’t make frequent edit on your Google Business Profile, so you have to be precise about your business details.

Step 4: Choose Your Business Type

Choose your business type and click on next to continue the process of listing your business on Google.

Step 5: Enter A Business Category

Start typing your business category in to the box and check out the suggestions Google will give you. Go through the list to see if your business category is on Google.

If you don’t know the category your business falls into, you can get the full list of Google Business Profile categories here.

Step 4: Enter your business address

Make sure you put in your correct business address. Google will verify your location before your profile will appear on Google.

Step 5: Add your phone number and website

You need to add your business phone number and your website URL if you have a business website already. Google will track your phone calls and website clicks so make sure your information is correct.

NB: Reach out to me on Instagram (@_awuahgideon) if you would like a professional website for your business.

Having a business website will help you to attract more visitors to google business profile.

Step 6: Verify your local listing

This is the final step to add your business to Google Business Profile. Google will ask you to verify your business before it will appear on Google for customers to see. Google will send you a PIN verification via the phone number you provided or via other options.

Go ahead and list your business to Google…

Once verified, your Google Business Profile will appear more prominently in local search results, making it easier for potential customers to find your services.

Verified businesses are 70% more likely to attract local visits and 50% more likely to result in a purchase, according to Google data.

Maintaining a verified profile means regularly monitoring and updating your information to keep it relevant. This strategy not only enhances customer trust but also maintains your competitive edge in local search rankings.

Optimize Business Information For Local Search

After claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile, the next step is to optimize your business information to ensure maximum visibility and customer engagement.

Start by making sure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across all online platforms. This consistency builds trust and significantly improves local search rankings.

Clearly state your operating hours and keep them updated. Accurate information about when you’re open enhances customer trust and prevents potential confusion.

Choose relevant primary and secondary business categories. These categories help Google accurately index your services and improve your visibility in related searches.

It’s important to select categories that genuinely reflect what your business offers.

Use location-specific keywords into your business description. Using local keywords strategically enhances your local SEO, attracting nearby customers searching for your services.

For instance, you can mention the name of the town or city your business is located your description:

“We are online training platform located at Madina.”

Regularly audit and update your business information. This practice signals active management to both customers and search engines, further boosting your profile’s credibility and visibility.

Use Relevant Local Keywords

Using relevant keywords into your Google Business Profile is a strategic move that significantly boosts your local SEO and improves your visibility in search results.

Start by researching and including location-specific keywords that align with local search queries. This targeted approach ensures potential customers in your area can easily find your business online, thereby driving organic visits.

When you use relevant keywords in your business description, posts, and updates, you’re signaling to Google that your profile is active and providing valuable information.

This not only enhances your visibility but also increases your overall search rankings.

Consistency is key… ensure these targeted keywords are used across your profile and website to reinforce your relevance in search algorithms.

Don’t forget to regularly audit and update your keyword strategy. Analyze performance metrics and customer feedback to optimize your profile continuously.

By doing so, you can stay ahead of the competition and maintain high engagement rates.

Add High-Quality Photos

The next thing to do is to use high-quality photos on your Google Business Profile. This can boost customer engagement and drive organic visits.

Data shows that businesses with high-quality photos see a 42% increase in direction requests and a 35% boost in website clicks.

This compelling evidence highlights the importance of visual content in enhancing your online presence.

To capitalize on this, ensure your images are well-lit and sharp, showcasing your products and services effectively.

Authentic visuals that accurately represent your business environment and offerings foster trust and can make potential customers choose you over competitors.

Additionally, regularly updating your visual content signals activity to Google, improving your local search rankings.

Strategically, include diverse visuals such as team photos, events, and product displays to tell a compelling story about your business. This variety not only keeps your profile fresh but also creates a stronger connection with your audience.

Ask Reviews From Customers

High-quality photos can make a significant impact, but customer reviews are equally powerful in driving organic visits and enhancing your Google Business Profile’s credibility.

To encourage your customers to leave positive reviews, directly ask satisfied customers for feedback right after their purchase.

This immediate request increases the likelihood of receiving positive reviews, which in turn boosts your profile’s visibility.

Strategically, include review requests in email signatures and receipts. This simplifies the review process, making it more convenient for customers to share their experiences.

Additionally, offering reasonable incentives, while adhering to guidelines, can further motivate customers to leave reviews, enhancing customer engagement.

Simplifying the review process is crucial. Provide direct links to your Google Business Profile in communications, reducing the steps customers need to take to leave feedback.

This streamlined approach can significantly increase the volume of reviews.

Post Regular Updates

I’m saying again, consistency is key… By consistently posting updates, you signal activity to both Google and potential customers, which can significantly improve your visibility in local search results.

Businesses that post updates at least once a week see a 42% increase in direction requests and a 35% increase in website clicks. This demonstrates the importance of regular updates in driving visits and engagement.

Utilizing Google Posts to share news, promotions, and events keeps your audience informed and encourages interactions.

Posts that include high-quality visuals attract more attention, as images lead to higher engagement rates compared to text-only updates.

By sharing engaging content, you can improve your rankings and build customer trust. Strategically planning your Google Posts ensures that you’re consistently providing value to your audience.

Regular updates show that your business is active and responsive, which can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. By integrating local keywords into your posts, you further boost your visibility in local search, making it easier for potential customers to find and engage with your business.

Start posting regularly to maximize your Google Business Profile’s potential.

Utilize Google Q&A

One of the ways to generate organic visits to your Google Business Profile is utilizing the Google Q&A.

This feature lets you address common customer inquiries directly on your GBP, improve google business profile engagement and providing valuable information to potential clients.

By proactively populating the Q&A section with frequently asked questions, you can improve customer satisfaction and minimize repetitive inquiries.

Responding promptly to questions in the Q&A section signals active management of your profile, which can positively influence your local search rankings and visibility.

Don’t just wait for questions to come in—use relevant keywords in your responses to aid in SEO efforts. This helps your business appear in more search results related to those queries, driving more organic visits to your GBP.

Encouraging customers to ask questions and providing thorough, thoughtful answers can significantly boost trust and credibility. This not only enhances user experience but also fosters a sense of community and transparency.

Optimize for Local SEO

Optimizing for local SEO is another ways for driving organic visits to your Google Business Profile. Start by ensuring that your profile is fully completed with accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information.

This consistency across all online platforms enhances credibility and significantly improves your local search performance.

Incorporate location-specific keywords into your business description and posts. This strategic use of local keywords helps search engines prioritize your profile in geographically relevant queries, thereby increasing your visibility.

Regularly audit your Google Business Profile and other local directories to ensure all information remains accurate. Discrepancies can negatively impact search rankings and erode customer trust.

Engage with your community by creating localized content on your website and through Google Posts. This localized content boosts your profile’s relevance in local search rankings.

Encourage local customers to check in and generate content about your business. These interactions signal to Google that your business is active and relevant in the area.

Use Google Posts

By regularly posting fresh content—ideally at least once a week—you signal to Google that your business is active, contributing to improved local search rankings.

Engaging content is crucial. Posts that excite your audience can result in a 42% increase in direction requests and a 35% increase in website clicks.

Utilize relevant keywords in your Google Posts to enhance search visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find you when searching for related services.

Including customer testimonials in your posts builds trust and encourages more interactions and reviews, further boosting organic visits.

Strategically planning your Google Posts ensures you’re not just visible but also engaging. Highlight promotions, share success stories, and announce events to keep your audience interested.

Consistent, keyword-focused posts will elevate your profile, driving more organic visits and solidifying your presence in local search results.

Monitor and Adapt

Regular monitoring and adapting your Google Business Profile strategy is crucial to maintaining high visibility and engagement.

By regularly reviewing Google Business Profile insights, you can track key metrics such as profile views, search impressions, and customer actions like calls and website visits.

This data-driven approach enables you to make informed adjustments to your strategy, ensuring you’re always optimizing your profile for maximum impact.

Monitor competitor profiles to benchmark your performance and spot gaps in your own strategy. By analyzing what works well for your competitors, you can adapt your tactics to stay competitive.

Pay close attention to which posts and updates yield the highest engagement rates. Focus your content efforts on what resonates most with your audience, boosting interaction and organic visits.

Customer interactions and feedback offer valuable insights. Use these to refine your offerings and enhance the overall customer experience.

Responding promptly to reviews and inquiries not only builds credibility but also signals to Google that your profile is active and relevant.

Lastly, stay updated on Google algorithm changes and best practices for SERP. This ensures your profile remains optimized and visible, driving more organic visits.

Now It’s Your Turn

Imagine your Google Business Profile as a vibrant storefront on a bustling street. By claiming and verifying your listing, optimizing details with relevant keywords, and regularly updating with high-quality photos and customer reviews, you’re inviting foot visits.

Utilize Google Q&A to answer common questions, and leverage Google Posts to keep your audience engaged. Monitor performance metrics closely, adapting your strategy to stay competitive and ensure your business remains a local favorite.