Google Business Profile: 7 quick wins to rank in your area

The Brief

Google Business Profile: 7 quick wins to rank in your area

by Barry Johnson | Aug 26, 2025 | Marketing

Goal

Fix your Google listing so more locals will find you on Search and Maps.

1. Fill in every basic detail (properly)

Add/confirm your business name, address, phone, website, hours and a short description.
Complete, accurate profiles are more likely to show for local searches because Google can match you to what people need nearby.

Tip: if you haven’t verified your profile, do that first.

Do this now: In Google Search, type your business name → Edit profile → update Contact, Location, Hours.

2. Choose the right primary category

Your category tells Google what you are (e.g., “Bed shop”, “Accounting firm”, “Plumber”).
Pick the most accurate primary category, then add 1–3 supporting categories if they genuinely apply. Don’t stuff.

Do this now: Edit profile → Business category → search and select.

3. Add your services

List what you actually do, in plain English. If it’s not in Google’s list, add a custom service.
Optional: add prices or “from R…”. This helps you appear for the specific jobs people search for.

Do this now: Edit profile → Services → add items (e.g., “Mattress delivery”, “Tax return filing”, “Drain unblocking”).

4. Upload fresh photos

People click listings with real, recent photos.
Add: logo, cover photo, outside (so customers recognise you), inside, team, products/work.
Photos appear after verification.

Do this now: Edit profile → Photos → add 5–10 good shots (phone is fine; clean, well-lit).

5. Ask for reviews and reply to everyone

Reviews drive trust and visibility.
Share your unique review link (find it under Ask for reviews) by email, WhatsApp or a QR code at your till.
Never offer discounts or gifts for reviews; Google treats that as fake engagement.

Do this now: Copy‑paste request:
“Hi [Name], thanks for choosing us today. If you’ve got 30 seconds, a quick Google review really helps locals find us: [your review link]. Thank you!”

6. Post a quick update each week

Use Posts for promos, new products, events or simple “What’s new” notes.
Add a photo and a clear call‑to‑action button (Call / Directions / Learn more).
It keeps your listing fresh and gives customers a reason to act.

Do this now: Promote → Add update (keep it to 2–3 short lines, plus one image).

7. Keep hours accurate, including holidays

Nothing kills trust like wrong hours.
Set normal hours and Special hours for public holidays or one‑off closures so customers aren’t disappointed.

Do this now: Hours → Special hours → add upcoming dates.

Bonus Tip

Turn on Chat (including WhatsApp link) if you can reply quickly. This converts on‑the‑go customers.

How Google decides who shows up locally

Google looks at relevance (how well your profile matches the search), distance (how close you are), and prominence (how well‑known/active you look). The seven steps above improve the bits you control.

20‑minute weekly checklist

Reply to new reviews (thanks + one helpful detail).
Post one update with a photo.
Add one new photo (product, team, job done).
Check Performance: views, calls, website clicks, directions and watch what’s moving.

The Brief