Use this checklist to review and update your Google My Business (GMB) profile to ensure it’s fully optimised for local SEO and voice search visibility.
Business Information
Business Name
Ensure your business name is accurate and consistent with its use across other platforms (e.g., website, social media). Avoid adding extra keywords to your business name, as it could violate Google’s guidelines.
Business Address
Double-check that your business address is correct and matches your website and other online directories. For service-area businesses, specify your service area instead of a physical address.
Phone Number
List a local phone number (instead of a call centre or toll-free number) to improve local relevance and trust.
Business Website
Add a link to your website’s homepage or, if relevant, a local landing page for better tracking and local SEO benefits.
Business Category
Ensure you’ve selected the most accurate primary category. If applicable, add additional relevant categories (e.g., “Organic Grocery Store” for a health food shop).
Hours of Operation
Regular Business Hours
Ensure your current opening hours include special hours for holidays, events, or temporary changes (e.g., public holidays or lockdown adjustments).
Special Hours
Use this feature to inform customers of changes in hours for holidays or events, ensuring your information remains accurate.
Photos and Videos
Profile and Cover Photos
Ensure you have a high-quality, visually appealing profile and cover photos. These are the first images customers will see when finding your business.
Interior and Exterior Photos
Upload photos that showcase your business’s interior and exterior, helping customers recognise your location in person.
Product or Service Photos
Add images of your top-selling products, services, or menu items to give potential customers a preview of your offer.
Team Photos
Consider adding photos of your team to personalise your business and build trust with local customers.
Reviews and Reputation Management
Respond to Reviews
Please reply to all customer reviews, both positive and negative. Thank the positive reviewers and address any negative feedback professionally.
Encourage Reviews
Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google. More reviews (especially positive ones) help build trust and improve your local ranking.
Review Score Monitoring
Keep an eye on your average review score. Aim to maintain a rating of 4.0 or higher for better credibility and SEO benefits.
Posts and Updates
Google Posts
Use the Google Posts feature to share updates, promotions, and events. These posts can help engage potential customers and increase visibility.
COVID-19 Updates
If applicable, update your profile with COVID-19-related information, such as temporary closures, safety measures, or delivery options.
Products and Services
Add Products or Services
Ensure your core products or services, including explicit descriptions and pricing information, are listed in your profile.
Descriptions
Use keywords in product and service descriptions to improve search visibility. Keep descriptions concise but informative.
Q&A Section
Monitor Customer Questions
Check the Q&A section for unanswered customer questions and provide clear, helpful responses.
Seed Questions
Proactively add frequently asked questions (FAQs) about your business and answer them. This will help pre-empt customer inquiries and improve your SEO.
Business Attributes
Relevant Business Attributes
To give potential customers more relevant information, add attributes that reflect your business, such as “Wheelchair accessible,” “Free Wi-Fi,” or “Women-owned. “
Analytics and Insights
Monitor GMB Insights
Regularly check your GMB Insights to track how customers find your business through direct or discovery searches. This will help you assess the effectiveness of your GMB strategy.