Episode 1 – Intro to Google Business Profile: Google Me Maybe
Ok, tell me if this sounds familiar. You search “best tacos near me,” and boom—Google hits you with three choices, right at the top like a taco showdown.
But if your business isn’t one of those three? You’re basically invisible. Something like trying to find a single sock in a laundry basket.
Good luck with that!
Haah! It’s true! You could have the best tacos in town, but if your Google Business Profile is collecting digital dust, no one’s showing up.
Right? That’s why today we’re going to be talking about a 100 foot overview of your Google Business Profile, or G.B.P for the cool kids—and how to turn it into your 24/7 digital salesperson.
I’m your host, Kai, and my co-host here, is the lovely Aileen.
Hey there peeps! I’m Aileen.
Is everyone ready to learn how to make your Google Business Profile shine and bring customers through your doors?
Yes. So let’s do this.
Picture this, your business is like a Broadway show…
Oooh, like the big lights of the theatre sign?
Exactly! Your G.B.P is the big, glowy marquee out front. If it’s flickering, missing letters, or—gasp—not even there, people are walking past to the next act – A.K.A your competition.
That marquee better be blinding in the best way! Because now, businesses aren’t just fighting for foot traffic—they’re fighting for search traffic.
Absolutely. A well-crafted G.B.P places you right in the spotlight of search results, just like having a front-row seat with a spotlight shining directly on your business.
Oooooh! Love that. And here’s a stat that’ll knock your socks off — forty-six percent of ALL Google searches have local intent. Like, almost HALF.
That means nearly half of Google users are basically shouting, “Who’s near me with what I need RIGHT NOW?!”
Uh-huh, and if your G.B.P is like, meh – it’s like you’re buried on a deserted island while your competitors are waving a neon “OPEN” sign from a helicopter!
Okay, let’s talk about what a good G.B.P actually does for you.
You show up in the Local Pack. That’s those top three businesses Google flashes at the top when you search for anything local like “best chiropractor near me”. We call it the Snack Pack because… well, it’s delicious and bite-sizey, and only shows you the cream-of-the-crop of local businesses.
You show up on Google Maps—like a GPS butler guiding customers to your door.
And you rank better in organic search. Like climbing Mount Google, one optimization at a time.
Story time! Sarah wants pizza. She types “best pizza near me.” Now, Google’s scanning: Who’s got great reviews? Who’s open? Who’s got drool-worthy photos of cheesy goodness?
Mmmm, pizza… Sorry—yes! If your pizzeria’s G.B.P is missing hours, has one blurry photo from 2012, and a sad three-star average?
Sarah’s going with your saucy competitor.
Don’t be sad pizza. Be lively, mouthwatering 5-star-worthy happy pizza.
Right! Your G.B.P is basically your digital storefront. You wouldn’t leave your brick-and-mortar shop with a busted sign and dusty shelves, right?
Eww. No way.
So don’t let your online presence be the virtual version of that.
Fill in everything. Address, hours, categories, phone number, website. All of it.
And let’s talk about why this matters. Because get this — seventy-six percent of people who search for something nearby visit a business within a day. That’s HUGE!
Whoa! So you’re telling me if I search for “best donuts near me,” there’s a 76 percent chance I’m about to eat a donut within 24 hours?!
Hah hah! Yes! And that means if you own a donut shop—or literally any business—you better be showing up in those search results, because people are ready to go when they search locally.
Mmm…
So, how do you actually optimize your GBP? Step one—make sure all your info is accurate. Name, address, phone number—aka your N.A.P. Because if Google gets confused about where you are, guess what? Customers will too.
And nobody likes a confusing N.A.P.
You get it. Next, pick the right business categories—don’t just choose something vague like “Store.” Be specific! If you’re a sushi restaurant, pick “Sushi Restaurant”, not just “Restaurant”.
If you’re a dog groomer, pick “Dog Groomer,” not “Pet Store” – unless you are a pet store and then you’d add “dog groomer” as a secondary category. Don’t make Google guess!
You can pick additional subcategories for any other services you offer – you’ll want to keep that to about 5 to 7 additional subcategories. But make sure they are all relevant! Not sure which categories to pick? Look at your top-ranking competitors!
Yes! Great tip. And here’s another one: For the love of conversions, upload high-quality photos! Businesses with photos get forty-two percent more direction requests and thirty-five percent more website clicks. That’s not peanuts!
Exactly! You wouldn’t trust a dating profile with no photos, right?
Hah hah hah. Nope! Immediate red flag for me.
Same logic applies to your business. If your Google profile is an empty shell, people are swiping left on you.
Real quick—Jake is on the hunt for caffeine at 7 AM. He Googles “coffee near me.”
Enter: Joe’s Java Hut. No hours, last review from 2019, and a blurry photo that might be coffee….or a puddle.
Versus Brew & Bean Café. Updated hours, 4.8 stars, crisp photos with foam art – so pretty it belongs in a gallery.
Guess where Jake’s going?
Not Joe’s. Sorry, Joe.
So once your profile is pretty, now comes the trust game—REVIEWS.
Reviews are like digital gossip. And Google’s a very nosy neighbor. More good reviews? Higher trust, better rankings.
Ask for ‘em—nicely. Don’t say, “Hey! Write me a review or else.” Keep it classy with something like:
We’re thrilled to have you as a customer and would love to hear about your experience with us. If you have a moment, we would really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts in a review.
Your feedback not only helps us, but it also helps other customers make informed decisions. Thank you so much for your support!
Nice!
And respond to every review. Even the bad ones. Well, especially the bad ones. That’s your moment to shine.
For example, if a review says, “Your food was cold.” Don’t ghost that.
Say, “Oh no! We’re so sorry—next meal is on us.”
Boom. Humanized.
Bonus? That reviewer might even update their review.
And other people see you care, so trust starts developing quicker than a toddler can find trouble.
Think of a fully optimized G.B.P as your employee who never stops working.
It answers questions, posts updates, shows off your best stuff— and ya, all without taking a vacation.
Hot Tip – use the Q&A section to answer F.A.Qs before they’re even asked. Collect a handful of the most popular questions about your company and then ask, and answer, the questions yourself on your G.B.P.
Genius.
Post updates like, “New fall menu is here!” or “Fifty percent off this weekend!” In addition to promotions, post about your services and products, repost reviews, post behind-the-scenes content, as well as any news or announcements, and tips and advice about how best to use your products or services.
And remember to link your posts back to your website when mentioning products or services. These posts are similar to regular social media posts, but with more S.E.O juice.
And list your services and attributes. Free Wi-Fi and parking? Pet-friendly? Patio? Those little things set your business apart and help people choose you over your competitors.
Ok, imagine two gyms. One posts weekly deals, the other hasn’t updated since 2021. Which one feels alive?
One’s flexin’. The other’s ghostin’.
Exactly. Alright, we’re coming to a close, so let’s hit those key takeaways.
First—an optimized G.B.P equals better local visibility.
Since forty-six percent of Google searches are local, you need to show up where it counts.
Second, complete your profile—every field. No slacking.
Third, get those reviews. Respond with heart. You can use A.I to craft the original reply, but give it your caring, human touch afterwards.
Fourth, keep your profile active—post, update, engage. Make Google fall in love with you.
And remember: your G.B.P is like your M.V.P. It’s working all the time. No sick days, no attitude.
A bad G.B.P is a silent billboard in the desert. A great one? It’s Times Square, baby!
Hahaha, so go shine brighter than a Vegas casino sign!
Right? And if you’re loving this info—don’t ghost us! Help us out by leaving a review – just google “Rankpast Digital”. And don’t forget to check out rankpast.com for more local marketing magic. This is Kai signing off.
Don’t forget to tune in next time when we tackle the description section of your Google Business Profile – lots of tips and tricks to be had.
Stay shiny people, and keep ranking!
