Google Business Profile: 6 steps to help local customers find your store
When people search for "bakery near me", Google Maps comes first. How to maintain your Google Business Profile – based on the factors Google itself names.
When people look for a store nearby, they usually type just a few words into their phone: "hairdresser", "bike repair", "bakery open now". Google then shows stores on the map – and if you do not appear well there, you are often not seen at all. The good news: the Google Business Profile is free, and there is a lot you can improve yourself.
How Google ranks local results
In its official help, Google names three main factors for local results:
- Relevance: how well does your profile match what someone is searching for? Complete, detailed information helps Google match your business correctly.
- Distance: how far is your store from the person searching?
- Prominence: how well known is your business? Google considers, among other things, how many websites link to you and how many reviews you receive.
Important: according to Google, you cannot pay for a better local ranking. What counts is how good and complete your profile is.
Six steps to a strong profile
- Verify your business. This tells Google you are allowed to represent it. According to Google, verified businesses are more likely to show up in results.
- Check address and category. Your full address and the right category (e.g. "bakery" rather than just "store") are the foundation.
- Keep opening hours up to date. Add special hours too – for public holidays or holidays. Nothing frustrates customers more than a locked door.
- Add details. Parking, Wi-Fi, wheelchair access: attributes like these help people decide.
- Upload photos and videos. Show your shop window, your products and your team. Pictures spark curiosity.
- Reply to reviews. Thank people for praise and respond calmly to criticism. Google points out that positive reviews and helpful replies can make your business stand out.
Little effort, big impact
Set aside ten minutes once a month: check opening hours, upload a new photo, reply to open reviews. That is often all it takes to become more visible in your region.
How Sparissimo Local helps
Sparissimo Local puts your store on ClickandLocal, on Google and on maps – with offers, opening hours and contact details. We visit you, set everything up and show you how to update your details yourself.