How to Optimize Google My Business for Your Local Business

You can use this guide as checklist; make sure you tick of all the boxes, so your GMB is fully optimized.

1. Claim and Verify Your GMB Listing

• Go to Google My Business and log in.
• Search for your business to see if a listing exists.
• If found, claim your business. If not, create a new listing.
• Complete verification (usually via postcard, phone, or email).
• Confirm your listing is now “Verified” in Google My Business dashboard.
  

2. Optimize Business Name and Information

Enter the following information:

• Business name: make sure it is displayed as you want.
• Business address: needs to be accurate and match other online directories.
• Local phone number: including area code to increase local relevance, if possible.
• Website: include a link to your website or landing page.
• Service area: for businesses that offer services beyond the phyiscal location, this is an important step.

3. Select the Right Business Categories

• Choose your Primary Category (be specific about your core service).
• Add Additional Categories relevant to your services (but only if they apply).
• Review categories periodically to ensure they still match your business focus.

4. Write a Compelling Business Description

• Business description: clear and concise; up to 750 characters
• Keywords that match with what customers search for (but keep it natural).
• Avoid promotional language, links, or excessive use of sales language.
• Ensure your description explains what you do, who you serve, and what makes you unique.
  

5. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

• Logo: upload the logo of your brand.
• Cover photo: keep in mind that this will be the first image people will see.
• High quality photos of your products, services and/or location. At least 10 to 15; the more the better (but don't overdo it).
• Videos: upload short videos, showcasing your products/services or testimonials.
• Update every month.

6. List Your Products and Services

• Prodcuts: use the “Products” section to list key products (include name, price, and short descriptions).
• Services: use the “Services” section to list all relevant services (include prices or ranges if applicable).
• Update: Regularly update this section with new products/services or pricing changes.

7. Manage and Respond to Reviews

• Set Up Google Reviews:
  • Log in to your Google My Business account.
  • Go to the Home tab and scroll down to the “Get more reviews” section.
  • Click “Share review form” to copy your unique review link.
  • Share this link with customers via your website, email signature, social media, or even QR codes.
• Templates to easily send the review link to past and future customers: create an e-mail and text template that you can use.
• Reach out to past customers: ask them to leave a review.
• Respond to all reviews: respond to all reviews—thank positive reviewers and handle negative reviews professionally. Respond within 24-48 hours of receiving reviews to show you’re active.
• Flag any spam or inappropriate reviews for removal, if needed.

8. Add an FAQ Section

• Add common questions: Think of the most frequently asked questions your customers have. Examples could include hours of operation, pricing, or services offered. Type these into the Q&A section as if they were questions from a customer.
• Give clear, helpful answers: For each question, write a concise and informative answer. Use keywords relevant to your business to improve SEO

9. Set Your Business Hours

• Regular business hours ‍
• Special hours: during holidays, events, or seasonal changes.
• Monitor and adjust hours during unusual events.
• Always keep your business hours consistent with those displayed on your website and social media.

10. Enable Messaging

• Download Google My Business mobile app to receive message notifications.
• Messaging: turn on Google My Business Messaging to allow potential customers to message you directly.
• Ensure someone is responsible for responding quickly (within 2 hours, ideally).

11. Post Regularly Using Google Posts

• Create a content strategy.
• Google Posts: use Google Posts to announce special offers, promotions, or events.
• Include high-quality images in your posts.
• Add a Call-to-Action (CTA) like “Book Now,” “Learn More,” or “Call Today.”
• Regularly update posts—aim for a new post at least two times per week.

12. Monitor GMB Insights

• Review the insights section in GMB to see how customers find and interact with your business.
• Track key metrics such as website clicks, calls, directions, and photo views.

13. Maintain Consistency Across Platforms

• Ensure your business name, address, phone number, and website URL match across all platforms (social media, other directories, etc.).
• Use the same tone of voice and branding in your descriptions and posts across Google My Business, social media, and your website.
• Regularly check for and remove duplicates of your GMB listing, if any exist.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Google My Business listing is crucial for appearing in local search results and turning searchers into customers. By following this step-by-step checklist, your GMB profile will be fully optimized. A well-maintained GMB listing increases your visibility, builds trust with potential customers, and helps you stay competitive in your local market. For an even easier way to track your progress, don’t forget to use the Notion page checklist I created, which makes it simple to stay organized and no steps will be missed.