Grow Google Business Profile Audience
10 Smart Ways to Build Trust, Engage Your Community, and Expand Your Reach.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
Struggling to Increase Your Google Business Profile Audience?
As a small or medium-sized business (SMB) owner, your to-do list is already packed. Between managing operations, satisfying customers, and staying on top of day-to-day tasks, keeping your online presence optimized can feel like an extra burden.
Yet, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most critical tools for attracting new customers, especially in local search results. It will drive more traffic to your business.
Your profile not only helps potential customers find you but also gives them access to important information like your phone number, address, and business information.
It also includes a Q&A section where potential customers can ask questions, and you can engage with them by answering questions directly.
If your profile isn’t fully optimized, you could be losing valuable business.
But here’s the good news: You don’t need to spend hours each week to grow and optimize your Google Business Profile listing effectively.
A strong marketing strategy that focuses on engaging with your target audience and getting them to interact with your profile is key.
Why Optimizing Your Google Business Profile Audience Matters for SMB Owners?
In today’s competitive digital landscape, your Google Business Profile is a key driver of online visibility for small businesses.
It’s especially important for local businesses looking to rank in Google’s search engines when customers search for products or services in their area.
If you’re not actively optimizing your profile, you’re missing out on the opportunity to show up in local search results and attract customers who are ready to make purchasing decisions.
Here’s why optimizing your profile matters:
- It helps customers find your business easily when searching online.
- It showcases your business in a professional and engaging way, boosting customer reviews and online presence.
- It directly impacts how you rank in local searches, determining whether potential customers see your business or your competitors’.
By ensuring your profile stays updated, interacting with your profile regularly, and answering questions from potential customers, you can increase trust and engagement with your target audience.
Common Challenges SMB Owners Face:
- Limited time: You’re already overloaded with running your business, and you might feel that maintaining your GBP takes too much time.
- Low engagement: Your profile is set up, but it’s not generating many leads or attracting the traffic you expected.
- Negative reviews: You’re unsure of how to manage or respond to them without harming your brand’s reputation.
The good news?
Optimizing your Google Business Profile audience doesn’t require hours of effort. Want more eyes on your business? Use the right signals to grow your Google Business Profile audience, so more local customers find you faster.
There are simple, actionable strategies you can implement to grow your audience and improve your local ranking.
The 10 Smart Ways to Build Trust, Engage Your Community, and Expand Your Reach.
1. Ensure Your Business Information Is Complete and Accurate
The first step in growing your profile audience is to ensure all your business information is accurate and complete.
Missing or outdated details like your phone number, business hours, or location can frustrate potential customers.
Double-check that your business description, hours of operation, and contact details are correct.
Ensure that your product or service offerings are accurately listed.
Customers need easy access to this information, and missing details can drive them away.
Keeping your profile updated with accurate information helps potential customers trust your business and makes it easier for them to reach you, boosting your ranking in local search results.
2. Incorporate Relevant Keywords into Your Business Description
To increase your chances of being found in local searches, you need to incorporate relevant keywords into your business description.
These keywords help search engines understand what your business offers, boosting your chances of appearing in local business searches.
Use keywords related to your industry and services in your business description. For example, if you’re a gym, include phrases like “fitness classes,” “personal training,” and “nutrition coaching.”
Consider using location-based terms like your city or neighborhood.
A well-optimized description with relevant keywords will improve your local search ranking and make it easier for potential customers to find you online.
3. Encourage Customers to Leave Positive Reviews
Customer reviews are one of the most powerful tools to grow your Google Business Profile audience. They not only provide social proof but also play a significant role in how your business ranks in search engines.
More customer reviews signal to Google that your business is trustworthy and engaging with its audience.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, especially positive reviews, by making the process easy. You can do this by sending follow-up emails or adding a prompt on your website or social media.
Responding to grow your Google Business Profile audience is key – quick replies to reviews and questions show customers you care, helping you stand out locally.
Positive reviews help build credibility and trust while improving your profile’s ranking in local search results. Plus, monitor and respond to reviews to show that you value customer feedback, which can attract more customers.
4. Post High-Quality Photos and Videos
Visual content plays a crucial role in making your profile attractive to potential customers. High-quality images and videos give people a clear idea of what to expect when they visit your business.
According to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks and 42% more requests for directions, and they often result in increased website visits.
Regularly upload high-quality photos and videos of your products, services, or store. For example, if you own a restaurant, showcase your best dishes. If you run a retail store, post pictures of new inventory or promotional displays.
High-quality visual content not only boosts engagement but also builds trust with potential customers. A well-maintained profile with attractive images increases the likelihood that customers will choose your business over others and lead to more website visits.
5. Enable Messaging on Your Google Business Profile
Enabling the messaging feature on your Google Business Profile allows customers to reach out to you directly through your profile.
This feature enhances customer interaction and makes it easier for potential customers to ask questions or request more information.
Enable the messaging feature through your Google Business Profile settings. This allows customers to send you direct messages without having to visit your website.
Be sure to respond promptly to these inquiries to keep customers engaged.
Enabling messaging improves your chances of converting profile visitors into paying customers by giving them an easy and direct way to contact you.
How do your enable Google Messaging:
Your customers can contact you from your Business Profile. With the text message or WhatsApp feature, you can:
- Answer questions.
- Tell your story.
- Attract more customers.
Important: Chat options are currently available for select regions and might not be available for your Business Profile. This feature is not yet available in the US.
Businesses with a claimed and verified Business Profile can add a WhatsApp or text messaging option.
Learn more about WhatsApp URL guidelines.
- Go to your Business Profile. Learn how to find your profile.
- Click Edit profile and then Business information and then Contact.
- To edit, click Chat and then Down arrow Down arrow.
- In the drop down that opens, select either SMS or WhatsApp.
- In the “Number” field, add a phone number that can receive text messages or your WhatsApp URL.
Click Save.
6. Regularly Update Your Google Business Profile
Keeping your Google Business Profile updated with fresh content signals to Google and customers that your business is active and relevant.
Regular updates help you rank higher in local search results and ensure that customers have access to the most current information about your business.
Make it a habit to post updates about new services, products, or promotions through Google Posts.
Additionally, ensure your business hours and business information are always accurate and up to date.
Regular updates increase your online presence and help you stay relevant in search results, driving more traffic to your profile and boosting customer engagement.
7. Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Local Search
Ranking high in local search results is one of the primary goals for SMB owners.
Optimizing your Google Business Profile listing for local searches ensures that nearby customers can easily find your business.
Use location-based keywords and make sure your business’s category is clearly defined. For example, if you own a coffee shop in Chicago, be sure to mention “Chicago coffee shop” or “local cafe in Chicago” in your description.
Link your profile to Google Maps to make it easier for customers to find you.
Optimizing your profile for local business searches increases your visibility to customers in your area, driving more foot traffic and conversions.
8. Engage with Your Audience Through Google Posts
Google Posts are an easy way to keep your audience updated with the latest news, offers, and promotions.
These posts show up directly in local search results, making them an effective way to engage with potential customers.
Create short, engaging Google Posts about upcoming sales, events, or new product offerings.
Include a call-to-action like “Shop now!” or “Book your appointment today!”
Google Posts help keep your audience engaged and informed, boosting the chances of them visiting your business or making a purchase.
9. Use Insights to Understand Your Audience
Google Business Profile offers Insights that provide valuable data on how customers find your business, what actions they take (like calling or visiting your website), and what posts or content engage them most.
These analytics are crucial for refining your marketing strategy.
Regularly review the Insights section of your profile to see how your audience interacts with your profile.
Use this data to tailor your posts, offers, and updates based on what your target audience is engaging with the most.
Using Insights helps you better understand your audience, allowing you to adjust your strategy to attract more visitors, increase website visits, and improve your overall performance in local search rankings.
10. Engage with Customers Through Q&A
One often overlooked but highly effective way of growing your profile is by engaging with potential customers through the Q&A section.
This is where customers can ask questions, and interacting with your profile by answering questions shows you’re responsive and attentive.
Actively monitor the Q&A section and respond to customer queries.
If common questions arise, add them as pre-answered FAQs to anticipate customer needs. This interaction not only builds trust but also increases your profile’s visibility.
Engaging with customers via the Q&A feature creates a more personal connection, shows potential customers you care, and can increase conversions by resolving concerns before they even arise.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Google Business Profile and Watch Your Audience Grow
Your Google Business Profile is a powerful tool that can significantly boost your business’s online presence and help you attract more customers.
By following these simple steps, you can grow your audience, rank higher in local search results, and improve your online visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is enabling messaging worth it if I’m too busy to respond quickly?
Yes, enabling messaging allows customers to contact you directly. You can set response time expectations in your message or delegate responses. Even if you reply later, it’s better than missing a potential lead.
What types of Google Posts should I share?
Share updates on new products, promotions, events, or community involvement. Keep posts short, with a clear call to action like “Book Now” or “Visit Today” to drive engagement.
Can I control what customers write in reviews?
You can’t control reviews, but you can influence them by offering great service and encouraging happy customers to leave feedback. Always monitor and respond professionally, especially to negative reviews, to show you care.
Do photos really impact my Google Business Profile?
Yes! High-quality photos lead to more clicks and engagement. They help potential customers visualize your products or services, making them more likely to choose you. Regularly update visuals to keep your profile fresh.
What’s the fastest way to improve my Google Business Profile ranking?
Encourage positive reviews and respond promptly to them. Reviews with relevant keywords and frequent updates (like new photos or posts) will improve your ranking quickly in local search results.
Can I connect my Google Business Profile to my website or social media?
Yes, and you should! Add links to your website and social media profiles. This strengthens your online presence, encourages website visits, and helps customers connect with your business across platforms.
7. What happens if I let my domain name expire?
If your domain expires, someone else can buy it, and you could lose the branding and SEO work you’ve built around that domain. Always set up auto-renewal or keep reminders in place to prevent this from happening.