Here at Up River Marketing, our office has a strict security policy. Buoy, our Head of Security, checks every visitor, every delivery, and every suspicious squirrel. Bonnie, Odin, Freya, and Brina take their own roles just as seriously (Brina is still negotiating for more snack breaks).
Why do we bring this up? Because first impressions matter, and for most businesses, they happen on Google. When someone searches for what you offer, your Google Business Profile is often the very first thing they see. The best part is that it is completely free.
These Google Business Profile tips are quick to put into action, and you can knock out most of them in one afternoon with a cup of coffee.
1. Claim your profile and verify it
If you have not claimed your profile yet, start here. Search for your business name on Google and look for the option to claim or manage it. Verification proves you are the real owner, and it unlocks your ability to edit everything else on this list.
2. Fill out every single section
A complete profile tells Google (and customers) exactly who you are. Add your business name, address or service area, phone number, website, hours, and a clear description of what you do. Treat it like a handshake. The more complete it is, the more trustworthy you look.
3. Choose the right categories
Your primary category is one of the biggest signals Google uses to decide when to show your business. Pick the one that best describes your main service, then add a few secondary categories for the other things you offer. Be specific and honest.
4. Add real photos
People love seeing the real you. Upload photos of your storefront, your team, your work, and your products. Skip the stock photos. Real, bright, clear images build trust faster than almost anything else. (We are living proof that a good photo of a dog helps, too.)
5. Ask for reviews, and answer them
Reviews are the word-of-mouth of the internet. After a job well done, ask your happy customers to share their experience. A simple, friendly message with a direct link makes it easy. Then reply to every review, the good and the not-so-good, with a warm and professional tone. Responding shows future customers that you are listening.
6. Post updates regularly
Use the Posts feature to share news, offers, events, or seasonal reminders. Even one short post a week keeps your profile fresh and shows that your doors are open. Think of it as a mini social post that lives right where people are searching.
7. Keep your info up to date
Holidays are coming, and that means schedule changes. Update your hours before they happen so nobody shows up to a locked door. Wrong hours are one of the quickest ways to lose a customer, and one of the easiest problems to fix.
Putting it all together
You do not need to do everything at once. Start with claiming and completing your profile, then add one new habit at a time, like asking for a review after each job. Small, steady steps add up, and your future customers will notice.
If this list made your to-do list feel a little longer, that is completely okay. That is what we are here for.
Ready for a hand?
Want your Google Business Profile working as hard as you do? Schedule a FREE consultation with Up River Marketing today at uprivermarketing.com/contact, and let us handle the details while you focus on running your business. Buoy has already approved your visit.
