The Ultimate Google Business Profile Checklist 2023
This 20-step Google Business Profile Checklist will help you complete your GBP like a pro!Â
The Ultimate Google My Business Checklist 2023
Going through my Google Business Profile checklist of 20 easy optimization steps will help you complete the profile in a most efficient way.
Your business information on Google’s local search is important for potential local customers.
To get amazing results, you need to set up the Google Business Profile properly from the start.
Table of Contents
Google Business Profile Checklist
(20 Steps to Optimize)
1. Make sure you qualify for a listing
The very first step on your GBP Checklist is to make sure you qualify for a local listing on Google. Not every business qualifies for Google Business Profile listings. The long story short is that you usually need a physical location for your company in order to verify your business on Google Business Profile.
Mostly, customers need to be able to walk-in or make contact in person. Online businesses like affiliate marketing sites won’t qualify for Google Business Profiles.
There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, Google Business Profiles are for traditional, offline businesses.
2. Verify your business's information
One of the next steps when setting up a profile is the Google Business Profile verification.
Verification means that you sign-off with Google that this is indeed your business.
Verification methods include mail, email, phone number, and video. You can also use the Search Console to verify if you already have a website. Verification via postcard is the most common method to verify your business. You will need a physical location where Google can send the verification letter to.
3. Add your business name
This is one of the most important steps on your Google Business Profile checklist. After the verification process has been finished and you’re ready to start with Google Business Profile it´s time to think about your business name. It’s essential to add your company’s name as it appears in real life. Don’t try to get creative and type in “Cindy’s hair salon – the best haircuts EVER.”
That’ll get you kicked from Google Business Profile, meaning this has potential to get your listing suspended. Google usually doesn’t do that manually but the algorithm can detect suspicious activity such as keyword stuffing.
Unfortunately, the business name is a ranking factor and if you want to take advantage of it and stay compliant with Google´s guidelines you might want to consider a business name change. I know, this sounds quite overblown but if Google is your primary source to get business from your local area, it´s an option you shouldn’t ignore.Â
Represent your company’s name accurately and fairly.
4. Pick the best Google Business Profile categories to describe your business
This is one of the most important points on your Google Business Profile Optimization Checklist.
Google Business Profile lets you pick one primary category and up to nine secondary categories. The idea is to state in the simplest terms of your business’s industry. You should pick the best Google Business Profile category to describe your business. The primary category directly affects what you’ll rank for on local search.
For instance, the best category for Rudy’s Bar would be under food and beverage. A secondary category might be entertainment if Mr. Rudy chooses to showcase his venue in such a way. Avoid stuffing your profile with irrelevant categories that don’t apply to your business.Â
Relevance is everything and details matter on Google.
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5. Use a precise & accurate business location
Only tick this box on your Google Business Profile checklist if you service your customers at your location or you run a hybrid model that includes both, a service area business and a physical storefront business. Service area businesses don’t need an address as they serve their customers at their location. (ref. #6) Don’t use a general location for your business. Remember to use the full mailing address, even if it doesn’t look too appealing to the eye. Customers need to find you and most of the time they’re quite lazy to search for anything. (We are all customers at some point, aren’t we? 😉 )
It’s not uncommon for businesses to reside in multi-story buildings or strip centers in a major city. Google needs a specific location to draw visitors to the proper SERPs because that increases customer experience.
The key here is accuracy.
6. Add service areas For your service-area business
Every business is unique, so you may only provide services at your customers´ locations. A lawn maintenance and landscaping company is one example.
Independent contractors most often run into this problem. You provide services in person but not necessarily in one location.
In this case, it’s better to add a service area and not a direct address. Google doesn’t want your customers to show up at a location where they can’t use your service. Service areas have a direct impact on your customers´experience.
7. State your opening hours
You’d think that most business owners would ace this step. Many, unfortunately, don’t.
The thing about Google rankings is that they need regular attention. Some businesses start with ambitious intentions and have extended business hours.
Over time, however, the business may shorten hours for several reasons. What you don’t want is for a great customer to show up when no one is around.
Stating accurate business hours prevents that from happening.
8. Provide a phone number
Again, you’d think a savvy owner would know this, but time and again, businesses don’t add a phone number.
Sometimes a business will intentionally leave the phone number field blank because they don’t want to interact with the public and answer calls.
Hopefully, you’re smarter, have more business savvy, and understand the importance of a phone number in your listing.
9. Provide a business website
You really want to tick this box on your GBP optimization checklist.
If you don’t have a website, get one.
Google takes into account all sorts of factors to choose the best outcomes for SERPs. Operating a website for your business can benefit your reputation in ways you can’t anticipate. The website is one of the biggest ranking factors on local search.
Don’t rely solely on social media. Get a site, and include it in Google Business Profile.Â
10. Point customers to your appointment URL
An appointment URL simply refers to another contact method on Google Business Profile. It is pubicly visible to your customers who then are able to use any sort of appointment system or leave a simple message via contact form.
11. Google Business Profile description
The most successful business owners can describe their companies backward and forward. Ideally, you should have so much knowledge to share that it feels wrong not to toot your own horn.
The rule of thumb is to keep your description around 700-750 words. Use as much free space as possible.
Be specific and state the qualities of your business plainly. Leave the sales and advertising pitches to other media formats.
All Google cares about is information.
12. Add products and services
It’s a common mistake to input incomplete information in Google Business Profile. What you want to do is state everything you provide.
Today, Google features products (also via posts) and services (on mobile), which gives you a great way to nudge customers toward your business over competitors.
Make sure to describe your services or products properly so that your customers know exactly what they get when they hire you. Be relevant and don’t add services you don’t actually offer.
13. Google Business Profile highlights and attributes
Highlights/Attributes in Google generally refer to amenities, extras, and features that are unique to your business.
For a coffee shop, free WiFi is one example of an attribute. An apartment complex, on the other hand, might select pools instead and a car repair shop can select oil change which then displays on your GBP.
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14. Menu & booking items for restaurants, hotels & bars
This whole checklist has been about accurately describing your business. If you own a restaurant, you want to put as many menu items on Google as possible.
Quick Tip: Take time to create picture-perfect photos of your most popular menu items.
If your customers don’t know everything you have to offer, they won’t come.
15. Take high-resolution photos and videos
First impressions are everything in business.Â
Uploading high-resolution photos and videos show Google that you care about your business and know how to attract people.
A quick tip: Make sure the logo of the business is prominent in your main cover photo.
One time-honored marketing tactic is to feature smiling, joyful people in photos.
It´s like online dating, your business is only as attractive as its worst photo. So make sure the worst photo looks amazing.
Check out this secret hack: How to download images from Google Business Profile
16. Enable the GBP messaging feature
Similar to including your phone number, you want customers to be able to reach you in a variety of ways. The backend of the messaging feature can only be used through the mobile GBP app. By activating the feature you’ll get another “request a quote” button underneath your GBP name.
Don’t make a mistake and disable messaging in Google Business Profile because you don’t want to handle the “extra” effort.
17. Reply To reviews
The SEO power of reviews is certainly neglectable as a bunch of other factors outperforms reviews. That´s a big surprise, isn’t it? However, the major rankings factors proximity and relevance are bigger than prominence which reviews are a part of.
Nevertheless, reviews play a big role in modern local search engine optimization. They are primarily connected to click-through-rates. We all know that. We only want to do business with companies that have a great reputation across our neighborhood and the internet. Great high quality reviews can lead to a higher click-through-rate which automatically means more business.
However, the quantity counts, too! As a matter of fact, you’ll need to get reviews on a regular basis. The more great reviews you have, the less impact can make a bad review. And we know that this will happen at some point so why not act preventively?
When you receive a review, answer it as soon as possible, especially for bad reviews.
Google Business Profile lets you ask for reviews through a short link. This capability makes it easier for customers to write a review without going through many extra steps.
When you get a bad review, make lemonade out of lemons and respond directly to the reviewer:
- Apologize, apologize, apologize even if your customer is not right
- Take the conversation offline and offer to talk over the phone or in person
- Try to resolve the problem
- Don’t ask to remove the review. Just don’t!
It may surprise you how to effectively turn questionable reviews into good ones.
Another popular marketing tactic is to invite the reviewer back and encourage them to write another review.
18. Write posts and updates regularly
Google Business Profile now lets you post updates to your profile. Not so long ago, Google didn’t allow such a feature.
Special events, offers, and new product launches are three examples of things that you can write about.
It doesn’t have to be Shakespeare, but it does have to be free of grammar errors and misspellings.
Clarity is the key. You want your ideas clearly stated without rambling in circles. Show Google that your business is active – Google loves fresh and new stuff. Always use attention-grabbing images or videos in your posts to get a higher engagement rate. Your goal is to build a relationship with your customers, not to sell anything.
Treat this feature as your go-to social media platform and you’ll be just fine.
19. Showcase your opening date
Google works well for any business, but it works wonders for new companies.
Showcase your opening date in your profile to earn a “recently opened” badge next to your listing. You’ll have the tag for 90 days after you open.
Overall, by checking off these 20 items, you can easily set up Google Business Profile in no time at all.
20. Take advantage of Google's Business Site
In case you’re not using your own domain, you can use Google’s business site. You can find the business site under “website” in the left sidebar. Go live, it’s free!
However, if you do have your own domain set up, you can use the Google business site to build a GBP backlink to your original business website.Â
All you have to do is edit the site, add a link, and hit publish at the top right corner.Â
Also interesting: How to access the Google Business Profile Site
More Local SEO Resources
If you liked this Google Business Profile Checklist, please share the guide with your friends and colleagues.Â
I’ve found 260+ points you need to consider to succeed in local search…. And turned them into a Giant Local SEO Checklist! 🤩
Click the button below!
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