Your Google Business Profile Is a Secret Weapon (If You Use It Right)
If you’re a small or medium business owner, there’s one digital asset that works even harder than your website.
It’s not your Instagram.
It’s not your email list.
It’s not even your online store.
It’s your Google Business Profile — that little box that shows up on the right when someone Googles your business name (or “dog groomer near me,” “plumber Newtown,” “accountant in Ballarat,” etc.).
And most people either don’t have one or set it up once and forget it exists.
That’s a mistake — because your Google Business Profile (GBP) can:
Get you ranked in local searches
Drive phone calls, bookings, and foot traffic
Build trust with reviews and photos
Show up before your actual website
Let’s fix it — fast.
First: What Is a Google Business Profile?
It’s the free listing that appears in Google Search and Maps when someone looks for:
Your business name
Your category (“massage therapist near me”)
Related terms (“natural skincare shop Sydney”)
It shows key info:
✅ Business name
✅ Address / Service area
✅ Phone number
✅ Opening hours
✅ Reviews
✅ Photos
✅ Services
✅ Posts
✅ Booking links
You control what’s there. But you’ve got to actually log in and use it.
Step 1: Claim (or Create) Your Profile
Go to google.com/business
Search for your business
If it exists, claim it
If not, create a new one
Verify your business (usually via postcard or email)
Done? Good. Now let’s make it actually work for you.
Step 2: Optimise Your Google Business Profile
This is where most people stop. Not you. Let’s make this a conversion machine.
Business Info
Use your real business name (no extra keywords like “Smith Plumbing Best Sydney Emergency Plumber”)
Add your full address or define your service area
Double-check your opening hours — especially holidays
Add categories (e.g., “Hair salon,” “Wedding Photographer,” “Tax Accountant”)
Photos & Videos
Google loves fresh content. So do people.
Upload:
Logo
Cover image
Photos of your space, team, products, or work in action
Short video tour (even filmed on your phone)
Tip: Photos with people perform better. Show humans.
Services or Products
List your key offerings with short descriptions and prices if you can.
Examples:
“60-minute massage – $95”
“Website in a Week – $1,200”
“Dog Wash & Blow-Dry – $45”
If you sell physical products, link them too.
Posts
You can post updates like a mini blog or Instagram post — and they show up in search results.
Use Posts for:
Announcements (“New opening hours!”)
Promotions (“10% off this week”)
Events (“Free webinar on May 20”)
Tips or value (“3 ways to relieve stress today”)
Post once a week, or at least once a month.
Step 3: Get Reviews (and Respond to Every One)
Nothing builds trust like real reviews. And nothing helps your ranking like fresh ones.
How to get more:
Ask happy clients immediately after service
Add a “Review Us on Google” button to your emails
Create a shortlink: g.page/YourBusinessName/review
Then — and this is crucial — respond to every review, good or bad.
✅ Thank people for positive ones
✅ Respond calmly to any criticism (you’re replying for future customers, not the one reviewer)
Step 4: Track the Results
Google shows you monthly insights like:
How many people saw your profile
What search terms brought them there
How many clicked to call, get directions, or visit your website
These numbers are often higher than your website stats — and just as valuable.
Real-World Example: Local Hair Salon
Before:
One blurry photo
Wrong opening hours
No service list
3 reviews from 2019
After:
New logo + 10 photos of the salon, stylists, and clients
Updated hours with public holiday notes
Service list with prices
Weekly “before and after” post
35 recent reviews with replies
📈 Result? 3x more calls from Google within 60 days. All free.
Tools to Make It Easier
Google Business Profile Manager (free dashboard)
Canva (design your cover photo)
Whitespark (optional tool for local SEO listings)
Rep.co or NiceJob (review collection automation)
Final Word
Your Google Business Profile is not just a digital business card — it’s a powerful tool that can send clients your way before they ever see your website.
And the best part? It’s free, fast to update, and insanely underused.
At Dove Digital, we help small businesses like yours optimise every digital touchpoint — including the ones Google gives you for free.
Want us to review and improve your Google Business Profile?
Book a Free Local SEO Snapshot — we’ll give you instant, actionable tips.
