Most local businesses are losing potential customers without even knowing it. While you’re focused on running your business, your competitors are capturing your customers through one simple advantage: they show up when people search, and you don’t.
So, How Do You Optimise Your GBP?
Claim and verify your listing properly. Google offers video verification now alongside the usual methods. Use it. This stops competitors from messing with your listing and signals to Google that you’re legitimate.
Fill out everything. Empty fields make you look sloppy. Complete your address, phone, website, hours, categories, and every attribute Google offers. Your customers notice when details are missing.
Get your NAP perfect. Your Name, Address, and Phone number must match exactly everywhere online. Not close, exactly the same on your website, social media, directories, everywhere. Google gets confused by inconsistencies, and confused Google might mean an invisible business.
Write a description that actually helps. The “From the business” section isn’t decoration. Explain what you do, who you help, and why you’re different. Include keywords that matter, but don’t sound like a robot wrote it.
Show them who you are. Upload photos and videos regularly. Show your team, your space, your work, satisfied customers (with their permission). Businesses with good visuals get more clicks and look more trustworthy.
Post like you mean it. Google Business Profile posts keep your listing active. Share service updates, special deals, industry tips, behind-the-scenes stuff. Anything that shows you’re alive and engaged.
Respond to every single review. Thank people for good reviews. Address bad ones professionally. Speed matters here, quick responses show you care about customer experience.
List what you actually offer. Use the products and services section. Restaurants should upload menus. Service providers should list key offerings with descriptions and pricing when it makes sense.
Remove friction. Turn on messaging and appointment booking if they work for your business. Make it stupidly easy for customers to reach you or book services straight from Google.
Track what works. Check your GBP Insights monthly. See how people find you, what they do next, which posts get engagement. Use this data to do more of what works and less of what doesn’t.
Understanding the Local Pack
When someone searches for businesses like yours, Google shows three results prominently with a map. This is the Local Pack, and getting into it can change everything for your business.
Google picks these three based on relevance (how well you match the search), distance (how close you are), and prominence (how established and trusted you appear online). You can’t move your location, but you can nail relevance and prominence.
Your 90-Day Implementation
Month 1: Get the basics right
- Claim and verify your profile using video verification
- Complete every field in your business information
- Upload 10-15 quality photos showing different aspects of your business
- Write a clear, helpful business description
- Start posting basic updates
Month 2: Add the advanced stuff
- Set up detailed product/service listings
- Enable messaging and booking if relevant
- Post 2-3 times per week consistently
- Respond to all reviews quickly and professionally
Month 3: Optimise based on results
- Review your first month of performance data
- Adjust your posting strategy based on what gets engagement
- Add fresh photos and update existing content
- Refine your description with better keywords
- Set up your long-term maintenance routine
The businesses winning local search aren’t the biggest or oldest. They’re the ones who understand that showing up online is part of doing business now.
Need help implementing this? We can walk you through it. Let’s chat!
