What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is your company’s listing in Google’s online directory, which can appear in Google Search and Google Maps. When someone searches for nearby businesses, Google often uses this directory to provide a relevant list of companies. Your Google Business page gives users core information about your company in an easy-to-use format — and it’s one of the biggest drivers of local SEO’s benefits. This information includes: Your address (and easy-access directions via Google Maps) Operating hours Phone number Website Photos Reviews And more In short, a Google Business Profile is a digestible way for users to learn more about your business on Google properties.

Why you should use your Google Business Profile

Imagine a user searching for a good burger or needing the perfect store to go last-minute gift shopping. This user needs a trustworthy—and fast—means of finding the right place. Enter Google’s local listings. If your business shows up in these listings, you can reap benefits such as: More visibility in search results: For searches like, “restaurants near me” or “hotels in Harrisburg,” Google will often show a list of local businesses near the top of the results. To capture this prime real estate, you want an optimized Google Business Profile. Ease of navigation for local customers: Because these profiles are tied to Google Maps, all a user has to do is tap or click for directions. Talk about easy! Added trust in your business: Because your profile can include pictures and customer reviews, it also helps users get a better idea of your business. These elements help build trust, making users more likely to want to stop by.