By Clint Sanchez · Published · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
Google Business Profile, now Google Business Profile, is a free tool that lets a business publish its name, address, phone, hours, website, reviews, services, and photos so they appear in the Map Pack, Local Finder, and organic results. Claiming and verifying the listing is the first step in local SEO: 46% of Google searches seek local information, 88% of local mobile searchers visit or call within a day, and 24% click the Local Pack.
Key takeaways
- According to the local SEO statistics cited, 88% of consumers who run a local search on a smartphone visit or call a business within a day.
- Nearly 46% of all Google searches seek local information, per Social Media Today.
- A Nifty Marketing click-through study found about 24% of consumers click the Local Pack when searching for services.
- Entrepreneur magazine reports that ranking a Google local listing has a higher long-term ROI than pay-per-click ads.
- The listing appears in three places: the knowledge panel sidebar, the map result on mobile, and the three-business local results.
- Google Business Profile is free, but it needs regular maintenance because Google changes the platform often and listings can drop out of results.
The local results show the three businesses nearest the searcher, so a Denham Springs shop competes only with the businesses around it, not all of Baton Rouge. That is the one place a small Livingston Parish business can outrank a bigger competitor across the parish line, and it costs nothing but the time to claim and verify the listing.
Don’t sell yourself short; make sure you have a Google Business Profile profile.
With the vast majority of consumers using Google to aid with buying decisions, it’s easy to see why being listed appropriately is one of the most important marketing steps your small business can take to increase its search ranking.
Did you know that 88% of consumers who do a local search on their smartphone visit or call a store within a day? In fact, nearly 46% of all Google searches are seeking local information.
Don’t miss out on those potential customers!
Learn how we can help you set up your GBP now!
If you’re a local business with a physical location, it’s critical that potential customers can locate you!
Fortunately, Google has an awesome tool to help business owners, and it’s called Google Business Profile (GBP).
Want this handled for you? We build and market websites for Louisiana businesses, and we will tell you honestly if you do not need us.
Here’s the awesome part about it…
It’s free!
So what is Google Business Profile?
In short, Google Business Profile is a free tool provided by Google that allows business owners to set up a brief profile that displays their:
- name
- address
- phone number
- hours of operation
- website link
- social media links
- online reviews
- services
- photos
in relevant search results like Google’s Local Map Pack (Google Maps), Local Finder, and organic rankings (search listings) in general.
A critical first step in ANY local SEO strategy is to claim and verify your local business’ Google Business Profile (GBP) listing and optimize it for “near me” searches.
When someone searches for your business on Google, the information used in the setup of your GBP profile (name, address, phone number) is pulled from your Google Business Profile page and populated in the search engine results page.
Your information can also be displayed in local results when someone searches keywords related to your business. As you can see above, these web agencies have their address, description, category, reviews, and pictures, all coming from their Google Business Profile page.
Where Does Information From Your Google Business Profile Page Appear?
The information from your Google Business Profile page will show when someone searches for your business (or for your type of business) on Google in three different places:
- Google’s Sidebar
This section is known as a ‘knowledge panel’ that can appear when someone searches a business by name. - Map Result
The same information for a business is listed on mobile devices, except the map result appears at the top of the screen instead of on the side, as a local business is searched. - Local Results
This section of Google’s search results shows three businesses that are nearest to the geographical location used in the search (i.e., Denham Springs).
Google will pull similar information from a Google Business Profile page for mobile searches, but instead of listing just the address, it will also show how far that business is from the searcher’s current location.
Now, you’re probably wondering, “Ok, all of that is good to know, but do I really need a google listing for my business?”
Consider this:
According to a Local Pack click-through study performed by Nifty, on average, 24% of consumers are clicking on the Local Pack when searching for services. Without a GBP listing, you would be missing out on a huge number of potential customers.
Also, according to Entrepreneur magazine, ranking your Google local listing has a higher return on investment (ROI) in the long term than pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Therefore, it is all-around important to invest time and money into optimizing and ranking your GBP listing.
Don’t just set it and forget it!
As with any digital marketing tool, a Google Business Profile page requires regular engagement and maintenance. However, with how often Google updates its platform and makes algorithm adjustments to improve search results further, you may find it difficult to keep your profile up and find that it was removed from critical search results.
Fortunately, when you work with BlakSheep Creative, you can spend less time navigating through Google’s ever-changing landscape and more time focusing on what you do best – serving your customers and running your business.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help your business flourish online.
Looking for a real conversation about your business, no sales pitch, no commitment? Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call.
About the author
Founder & Lead Developer · Denham Springs, LA
Clint has built and marketed websites for 26 years, since founding BlakSheep Creative in 2000. He is also a 29-year firefighter and a 23-year member of IAFF Local 557, which is where the bias toward plain answers over sales copy comes from.
- Veteran-owned
- Firefighter-owned
- IAFF Local 557
Common Questions About Google Business Profile
Short answers to the questions that come up most on this topic.
Is Google Business Profile free?
Do I need a Google listing if I already have a website?
What is the first step in local SEO?
How does a Google listing compare with pay-per-click ads?
What happens if I set up the listing and forget it?
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