How to Get More Local Customers from Your Google Business Profile

When someone nearby searches for “bakery near me” or “physiotherapy in Perinthalmanna”, Google often shows a map with a few local businesses before any websites. Those listings come from Google Business Profile. For many local businesses, a well-kept profile brings more calls and visits than their website does.

Here are the steps we follow when we set up or improve a profile for a client.

1. Claim and verify your profile

Search for your business on Google Maps. If a listing already exists, claim it. If not, create one at Google Business Profile. Google will ask you to verify that you own the business, and it chooses the verification method, which can include a phone call, an email or a short video of your premises.

If you visit customers rather than having them come to you, you can set your business up as a service-area business and hide your address.

2. Choose the right categories

Your primary category is one of the most important parts of the profile, so choose the one that best describes your main business, for example “Dental clinic” rather than just “Clinic”. You can add a few secondary categories for other things you genuinely offer. Do not add categories that do not apply, as this confuses Google and customers.

3. Keep your name, address and phone number consistent

Use your real business name, exactly as it appears on your signboard. Adding extra keywords to the name, such as “Best Interior Designer Malappuram”, is against Google’s guidelines and can get your profile suspended.

Make sure your name, address and phone number are the same on your website, Facebook page, Instagram and any directories you are listed in.

4. Fill in every section

• Opening hours, including special hours for holidays such as Onam, Eid and Christmas.
• Services or products, with short descriptions in plain words.
• Business description, explaining what you do and which areas you serve.
• Website link, pointing to your homepage or a relevant page.
• Attributes, such as wheelchair access or free Wi-Fi, where they apply.

The more complete your profile is, the easier it is for Google to show it for the right searches, and for customers to choose you.

5. Add real photos, and keep adding them

People want to see what to expect before they visit. Add a photo of the outside of your building so customers can recognise it, plus photos of the inside, your team at work and your products or finished projects. Use real photos rather than stock images, and add new ones every month or so.

6. Ask for genuine reviews, and reply to all of them

Reviews are one of the first things people read. Ask happy customers to leave a review, and make it easy by sending them your review link on WhatsApp after a good experience.

Reply to every review, positive or negative. Thank people for good reviews, and respond to complaints politely and calmly, offering to put things right. Future customers notice how you handle problems.

Never buy reviews, write them yourself or offer rewards in exchange for reviews. This breaks Google’s policies, and Google can remove reviews or restrict your profile.

7. Post updates

You can publish short updates on your profile, such as offers, events, new products or recent work. Regular posts show customers that your business is active and give them another reason to get in touch.

8. Check what is working

The Performance section of your profile shows how many people called you, asked for directions or clicked through to your website, and which searches they used to find you. Check it every month to see what is changing.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Duplicate listings for the same business.
• The map pin in the wrong place.
• Old opening hours or a phone number nobody answers.
• Ignoring reviews, especially negative ones.
• Keyword-stuffed business names.

Your profile and your website work together

A strong profile works best alongside a well-optimised website. Google looks at both when deciding which businesses to show, and customers often check your website before they call. If you would like help with either, see our Google Business Profile and SEO services, or book a free consultation.