“Optimizing” your Google Business Profile

It’s not magic. If you follow the rules, and give as much information about your business as possible, you can improve your Google Business Profile performance.

In the summer of 2023, a 4-location physical therapy chain located in the Pacific Northwest reached out to us to improve their local search optimization, especially around their Google Business Profile.

After undergoing a complete optimization program and developing a method for earning more reviews from patients, their Google Business Profile took off!

July 2023-September 2023 vs October 2023 – December 2023

• Overall Business Profile interactions increased by 22% across all properties
• Calls from the Google Business Profile increased by 20%
• Requests for Direction increased by 15%
• And clicks to the website increased by a whopping 42%

What is this “optimization” magic you speak of?

It’s not magic, and it’s really not hard to improve your Google Business Profile’s performance. In fact, to earn the improvement seen above, we did little more than this:

• First of all, make sure you represent your business properly through Google Business Profile.
• Outside of the business information you provide, learn how Google sources & uses info in Business Profiles and local search results.
• Ensure that the name, address and phone number in your Google Business Profile is consistent with what you have on your website, social media profiles and anywhere else your business is listed online.
• Use quality images and videos to showcase your business. No stock imagery.
• Ask happy customers to provide reviews. Respond to ALL reviews, even if it is a ‘thank you.’
• Complete every opportunity Google gives you to provide information about your business, services & products. Don’t skip any opportunity to provide further details or description.

Get listed in local online directories and citation websites. Consistent NAP information across these platforms strengthens your local SEO presence.

Encourage happy customers to post reviews on your Google Business Profile. The quality and cadence of reviews can be important factors to Google and potential customers alike.

Bonus Tip! Integrate improvements to your website to increase local search SEO

Your website is the primary source for your Google Business profile. Here are some tips you can use to improve your website’s local search performance.

• Put your business name, address and phone number on EVERY page of your website. Be sure it aligns with how you listed that information in your Google Business Profile.
• If your business has multiple locations, be certain to have a dedicated page for each one.

For local businesses, having a well-optimized Google Business Profile aligned with other information found about your business on other websites is an important first step to improving your overall local search performance. 

If you need help driving more customers from the Internet to your place of business, reach out to us today.