What is Google my business and why it ‘s important for your brand

In today’s digital-first world, your customers are searching for products and services online before making a purchase decision. Having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. One of the most effective (and free) ways to boost your online visibility is by using Google My Business, which is now officially called Google Business Profile. This tool doesn’t just help people find your business; it also allows you to control how your brand appears on Google Search and Google Maps, directly impacting how potential customers see you.  

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool from Google that allows businesses to control and optimize their online presence across both Google Search and Google Maps. Through this platform, business owners can display vital information such as location, opening hours, contact details, and reviews. Having a well-optimized GMB profile increases visibility and helps attract more local customers searching for your products or services. In addition, Google My Business acts as a digital storefront that builds trust and credibility. By keeping your profile updated with accurate details, photos, and regular posts, you improve your chances of ranking higher in local SEO results. This not only makes it easier for potential clients to find you but also enhances customer engagement, driving more calls, visits, and sales to your business.  

Why is Google My Business Important?

Google My Business plays a vital role in strengthening your online presence and connecting you with the right audience at the right time.

1. Boosts Your Visibility

One of the biggest advantages of having a Google My Business profile is improved visibility in local searches. When people look for services or products nearby, Google highlights verified businesses in the “local pack” or map section. This prime placement makes your brand more noticeable to potential customers, increasing website visits, store traffic, and overall inquiries.

2. Builds Trust with Customers

A well-maintained Google Business Profile builds strong credibility. Customers trust businesses that display accurate details, professional photos, and positive reviews. By consistently updating your profile and encouraging reviews, you show that your business is active and reliable, which helps new customers feel more confident about choosing you over competitors.

3. Attracts Local Customers

Almost half of all Google searches have a local intent, meaning users are actively looking for businesses “near me.” Having an optimized profile ensures your business appears in front of these ready-to-convert customers. Without it, you risk losing valuable traffic and sales opportunities to competitors who are more visible in local search results.

4. Enables Direct Interaction

Google My Business makes it simple for customers to connect with you directly. From your profile, they can call your business, send a quick message, check directions, or click through to your website. This convenience reduces barriers and speeds up the decision-making process, giving your business an advantage when people are ready to take action.

5. Provides Valuable Insights

Beyond visibility and engagement, GMB Insights give you access to detailed analytics about how customers discover and interact with your business. You can track actions like calls, clicks, and direction requests, as well as see which photos or posts get the most attention. These insights help you refine your marketing strategy, understand your audience better, and continuously improve performance.  

Is Google Business Profile Free?

Yes, Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business) is completely free to use. Business owners can create and verify their profiles without any cost, making it one of the most valuable tools for small businesses and local companies. With a free profile, you can showcase essential details like your business name, location, phone number, website, and opening hours directly on Google Search and Google Maps. This helps potential customers find and connect with your business easily, without needing to spend money on advertising. Although the platform is free, optimizing your Google Business Profile can greatly impact your local SEO strategy. By regularly updating photos, responding to customer reviews, and posting updates, you can increase engagement and visibility in search results. While paid Google Ads can further boost exposure, the free profile itself already provides a strong foundation for building trust, improving credibility, and driving more traffic and sales to your business.

How to Set Up Google My Business (Step by Step)

Creating your Google Business Profile is simple but requires following the right steps to ensure your listing is accurate and fully optimized for visibility.

1. Go to Google Business Profile Manager

The first step is to visit google.com/business and click on “Manage Now.” This will direct you to the Google Business Profile Manager, where you can start setting up your listing. Having access here allows you to control how your business appears across Google Search and Google Maps.

2. Enter Your Business Name

Next, type in your business name. If your company already appears in Google’s system, you can select it. If not, you have the option to create a completely new listing. This step ensures your brand identity is consistent and easily discoverable by customers searching for your name.

3. Choose a Business Category

Google requires you to choose the most accurate business category, such as Restaurant, Marketing Agency, or Beauty Salon. Picking the right category helps Google connect your profile with users actively searching for services you provide, improving your chances of showing up in relevant search results.

4. Add Your Location

If your business operates from a physical location, you should add your exact address so that customers can find you on Google Maps. However, if you run a service-based business without a storefront—like delivery, home services, or freelancing—you can list your service area instead. This makes it easier for local customers to discover and reach you.

5. Enter Contact Information

To make your business more accessible, add your phone number and website link. This allows customers to contact you directly or visit your site for more details. Complete and accurate contact information improves customer trust and helps generate more leads through your profile.

6. Verify Your Business

Before your profile goes live, Google will ask you to verify your business. Verification can be done through a postcard sent to your address, or sometimes via phone, email, or video call. This crucial step ensures that only legitimate business owners control listings, making your profile authentic and visible to the public.

7. Optimize Your Profile

Once verified, you can optimize your Google Business Profile to stand out. Upload your logo, cover photo, and real images of your business to make your listing more appealing. Write a clear and keyword-rich business description, highlight your services, and keep your information updated. Regular optimization boosts your ranking in local SEO and attracts more customers.  

Case Study: How a Restaurant Doubled Visits Using GMB

A Miami-based restaurant (Black Tap) implemented a focused Local SEO strategy by fully optimizing their Google My Business profile. They added high-quality photos, published updates and offers, and actively responded to reviews. Within 4 months, calls from their profile increased by 527 calls, “get directions” clicks reached 2,485, website clicks grew by 261%, and overall search visibility rose by 372%. 🔗 Source: Cubitrek  

Best Practices for Maximizing Your Google My Business

To get the most out of your Google Business Profile, you need to go beyond just setting it up. Regular updates, optimization, and customer interaction will help you stand out in local search results and attract more customers.

1. Keep Your Information Accurate and Updated

Always make sure your business name, address, phone number, website, and opening hours are correct. Inaccurate information can confuse customers and hurt your credibility. Updating details promptly—such as holiday hours or new locations—improves trust and ensures customers find you at the right time.

2. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Profiles with engaging photos and videos get more clicks and visits. Upload pictures of your storefront, interior, staff, and products to give potential customers a clear impression of your business. Visual content makes your profile more appealing, helping you stand out from competitors in Google Search and Google Maps.

3. Encourage and Respond to Reviews

Customer reviews play a major role in building trust and boosting your local SEO ranking. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews, and always reply—whether positive or negative. Thoughtful responses show you care about customer feedback and can influence others to choose your business.

4. Use Posts to Share Updates and Offers

The Posts feature in Google My Business allows you to share announcements, promotions, or events directly on your profile. Regular posting keeps your profile active and shows customers that your business is engaged. This also increases visibility and drives more interactions from people searching for your services.

5. Leverage GMB Insights for Better Decisions

Google provides Insights to show how customers find and interact with your profile—whether they called you, requested directions, or clicked on your website. Analyzing these metrics helps you understand your audience and adjust your marketing strategies for better results.

6. Highlight Products and Services

If you sell products or offer services, make sure to list them clearly in your Google Business Profile. This gives potential customers detailed information before they even visit your website. Highlighting offerings directly on your profile can drive quicker decisions and increase conversions.  

How Google Reviews Impact Your Business

Google reviews play a critical role in shaping how potential customers view your brand. Positive reviews boost your credibility, improve your online reputation, and increase trust in your products or services. When people see consistent 4- or 5-star ratings, they are far more likely to choose your business over competitors. Reviews also influence your local SEO ranking, as Google prioritizes businesses with high ratings and frequent customer feedback in search results. Beyond visibility, reviews offer valuable insights into customer experiences. They highlight what your business is doing well and where improvements may be needed. By responding promptly and professionally to reviews—both positive and negative—you demonstrate strong customer service, which can encourage loyalty and attract new customers. In this way, Google reviews are not just feedback; they’re a powerful marketing tool that directly impacts growth, engagement, and long-term success.

Google Business Profile vs. Other Directories (Yelp, Bing Places, etc.)

While platforms like Yelp, Bing Places, and Yellow Pages help businesses gain online visibility, Google Business Profile (GBP) remains the most powerful tool for local SEO. Unlike other directories, GBP integrates directly with Google Search and Google Maps, which are the first places customers turn to when looking for businesses nearby. This gives GBP a major advantage in driving local traffic, calls, and visits. That said, listing your business on multiple directories still adds value. Platforms like Yelp provide strong credibility through customer reviews, while Bing Places helps capture audiences who use Microsoft’s search engine. However, none of these platforms match the reach, impact, and daily search volume of Google. For maximum visibility, businesses should prioritize their Google Business Profile while also maintaining consistent information across secondary directories to strengthen trust and SEO authority.  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Ignoring negative reviews. ❌ Using blurry or stock photos instead of real ones. ❌ Forgetting to update business hours (especially during holidays). ❌ Choosing the wrong business category. ❌ Leaving your profile incomplete.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between Google My Business and Google Business Profile?

Google My Business is the old name. It’s now called Google Business Profile (GBP), but the features are the same—managing your presence on Google Search and Maps.

2. Is Google Business Profile free to use?

Yes, it’s completely free. You can add your info, photos, and reviews at no cost. Paid ads are optional.

3. How long does verification take?

Usually a few days to two weeks by postcard. Some businesses can verify by phone, email, or video.

4. Do I need a physical address?

No. Service-based businesses can hide their address and show only a service area.

5. Can I manage multiple locations?

Yes, you can add and manage multiple branches under one Google account.

6. How often should I update my profile?

Update regularly—change hours, add photos, post offers, and reply to reviews to keep your profile active.

7. Do reviews affect ranking?

Yes, positive reviews help you rank higher in local search and influence customer trust.  

Final Thoughts

Google My Business is more than just a simple listing—it’s a powerful marketing tool that increases visibility, builds trust, and helps you attract the right customers at the right time. By keeping your profile complete, active, and optimized, you can stay ahead of competitors and strengthen your local SEO strategy.