Google Business Profile...Why it Matters!

Posted February 7, 2025

Your Google Business Profile (GBP), previously known as Google My Business, is a key tool for boosting your online visibility. It’ll help you show up in map results:

And in relevant local search results:

Boosting your chances of appearing in front of people looking for what you offer.

Below, we’ll show you:

• Exactly what GBP is
• Why it’s important

Let’s go.

What Is Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is a free online listing provided by Google that displays essential information about your business.

A well-optimized GBP improves your business’s chances of appearing in local search results and Google Maps. This makes it easier for potential customers to find and engage with your business.

Unsurprisingly then, your Google Business Profile is an important part of your overall local SEO efforts.

Optimizing your Google Business Profile can help your business appear in a few key places. The first of these is the Map Pack (or Local Pack).

The Map Pack is a collection of top-ranking businesses that appear at the top of local search engine results pages (SERPs). Here’s what it looks like:

If a user clicks on one of these listings, they can learn more about the business and take action. Like reserving a table or getting directions.

Here’s an example:

Your GBP listing can also show up when users perform a direct search for your business.

For example, “Oishii Boston”:

Finally, your Google Business Profile can also appear in Google Maps results, on both desktop:

And on mobile:

Your Google Business Profile can display your business’s:

• Name
• Address
• Contact information (phone and email address)
• Website
• Operating business hours
• Business Category (e.g., salon, restaurant, medical clinic)
• Attributes (such as whether it’s wheelchair-accessible)
• List of services or products
• Customer reviews and ratings
• Videos and photos that showcase your location, products, and services
• FAQs
• Booking information or service inquiries
• Recent posts

Why Is a Google Business Profile Important?

Optimizing your GBP can have a MAJOR effect on your business’s online visibility.

But let’s take a closer look at the biggest benefits.

Increase Your Visibility

GBP stats from Google show that users are 70% more likely to visit your business if you have a completed profile, and 50% more likely to consider making a purchase.

So, if you don’t have an optimized GBP, you’re almost certainly missing out on views, clicks, footfall, and, ultimately, paying customers.

Build Trust and Credibility

When people perceive your business as trustworthy, they feel more confident buying from you.

Your GBP provides a level of transparency to your business which can help to foster trust. If a user can see your physical location, contact details, and what you have to offer, then they’re more likely to view your business as legitimate.

Note: On the flip side, if the info in your profile is inaccurate, it can reduce the trust and credibility of your brand.

Plus, Google’s algorithms aim to rank content that displays the following four things:

• Experience
• Expertise
• Authoritativeness
• Trust

Otherwise known as E-E-A-T.

The better you optimize your Google Business Profile and the more trustworthy it appears to customers (and search engines), the higher it can rank in local search results.

Foster Customer Engagement

Your Google Business Profile is also an opportunity to let your customers engage with your business.

For example, your customers can leave reviews:

You can benefit from this engagement as it can help build trust with other customers. Because when shoppers can see genuine feedback from other customers, it boosts the credibility of your business.

Plus, Google uses reviews as a ranking factor when ranking businesses in local search results. So getting more of them can improve your rankings further.

The Q&A section of your GBP allows users to ask and answer questions about your business.

This lets users find answers to questions that might help them make a buying decision. Like what kind of parking facilities you have, wheelchair accessibility, and whether it’s dog-friendly.