Harness the Power of Google My Business to Increase Visibility & Grow Your Brand

As a business owner, you understand how important marketing and advertising are to attract new customers and grow your brand. But what if you could achieve those results without spending a lot of money? 

That’s exactly what Google Business Profile (GBP) offers—a free and powerful tool that allows you to promote your business online, connect with customers, and build trust, all without the need for a paid ad campaign. Formerly known as Google My Business, GBP enables you to manage how your business appears in Google Search and Maps. You can list your products and services, collect and respond to reviews, share updates, and increase your chances of appearing in local search results. 

With so many people using Google to find businesses near them, GBP has become essential for local visibility and brand growth. In this article, we’ll show you how to harness the full potential of Google Business Profile and make the most of free advertising in 2025.
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How to Create a Profile on Google My Business

Creating a profile on Google Business Profile is the first step toward boosting your online visibility. The setup is quick and simple:
  • Sign in or create a Google Account - Head to https://www.google.com/business and sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one for your business, you can create one specifically for managing your GBP.
  • Enter your business details - Provide your business name, address, phone number, website URL, business category, and operating hours. Be as accurate and detailed as possible to help customers find you.
  • Verify your business - Verification is required to confirm ownership and gain access to editing and full GBP features. You may be verified by email, phone, or postcard, depending on your business type and location.
  • Manage your listing via Google Search or Maps - As of 2024, Google moved most GBP functionality directly into Google Search and Google Maps. Once your business is verified, simply search for your business name in Google or open it in Google Maps (while logged in) to manage your profile.
Creating your profile is only the beginning. The real value comes from optimising and maintaining it regularly.

List Your Services & Products on GBP

Once your profile is active, it’s time to show potential customers what you offer
Google Business Profile allows you to add services and products relevant to your business directly in the “Edit Profile” section of your dashboard. Here’s how to make it effective
  • List all services clearly - Use categories that customers will easily understand. For example, instead of just “Repairs,” try “Laptop Repair – All Brands.”
  • Add descriptions and prices – Give a short description of each service or product, including pricing where possible.
  • Upload images – Product images or service-related photos help people visualise your offerings and build trust.
  • Highlight special attributes – Does your business offer wheelchair access, vegan options, or bilingual staff? These can be highlighted and can positively influence customer choices.
Keeping your services up to date helps potential customers understand your value proposition and reduces unnecessary inquiries.

Case Example: A Perth-based home renovation company added detailed services for kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor spaces. This segmentation led to a 30% increase in visibility within three months.

Leverage Customer Reviews for Increased Visibility

Customer reviews are one of the most powerful tools to build trust and attract new business.
Here’s how to use reviews strategically:
  • Ask for reviews – After completing a service or sale, ask happy customers to leave a Google review. You can generate a direct review link via your GBP profile to make it easy. 
  • Respond to every review – Whether the review is glowing or critical, responding shows you care. A simple “Thanks for the kind words!” or a professional reply to criticism helps build your brand's reputation. 
  • Monitor reviews consistently – Set reminders to check for new reviews regularly. Google values active engagement, and review activity can affect your search ranking. 
Bonus: Google’s algorithm sees fresh reviews as signs of business activity and relevance, so the more you receive and respond to, the better your visibility in local search results. 

Did You Know? Businesses with over 100 reviews and an average rating above 4.0 appear in the top 3 local search results 80% of the time.
 
Note: As of late 2024, Google enhanced its detection of fake reviews. If you suspect a spammy or malicious review, you can now flag it more easily through your profile on Search or Maps. 

Utilise Google Maps for Customer Engagement

Most people use Google Maps to discover local businesses—so being visible and up to date on Maps is critical.
With Google Business Profile, your location is linked directly to your listing. Make sure you: 
  • Pin your address accurately
    Double-check that your map marker is correctly placed. Mistakes here can lead to customer frustration. 
  • Add exterior and interior photos
    Photos showing your location help people recognise your business when they arrive.
  • Keep your hours accurate
    Update your opening hours for holidays or special events. Customers hate turning up to find you're closed unexpectedly. 
  • Use the “Place an order” or “Book now” button
    Depending on your business type, you may have the option to integrate booking or ordering links. If eligible, set this up to give customers a seamless experience. 
Pro Tip: Use Google’s “Directions Request” data in GBP Insights to understand where your customers are coming from—then target those areas in ads or posts.

Implement Local SEO Best Practices

GBP plays a key role in local SEO, helping you show up when someone searches “[your service] near me.”
Here’s how to improve your rankings: 
  • Include local keywords in your profile 
    Mention your suburb, city, or service area in your business description and service listings.
  • Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) 
    Make sure this info is the same across your website, social media, and all online directories. 
  • Use Google Posts 
    Google Posts are short updates that appear on your profile. Posting consistently boosts visibility and shows your business is active. 
  • Get backlinks from local websites
    Being listed in local directories or featured in local blogs/news can boost your domain authority and help GBP visibility. 
Advanced Tip: Try tools like BrightLocal or Whitespark to track and optimise local rankings over time. 

Post Regular Updates and Promotions

Think of your Google Business Profile like a social media feed. The more active it is, the better. 
  • Include local keywords in your profile 
    Mention your suburb, city, or service area in your business description and service listings.
  • Announce events or new products 
    Post about launches, promotions, behind-the-scenes content, or milestones.
  • Share time-limited offers 
    Deals and discounts create urgency and can drive quick action.
  • Add high-quality visuals
    Photos and videos perform well. Avoid stock photos—authentic imagery builds trust. 
  • Include CTAs in your posts 
    Use “Book Now,” “Call Today,” or “Visit Us” to guide users to take the next step. 
Note: As of 2025, posts expire after seven days unless they’re event-based. Keep them fresh and consistent!

New and Evolving GMP Features in 2025

In 2025, Google Business Profile continues to evolve. Here are some updates and features you should be using:
  • Bookings Integration – Connect your GBP to platforms like Square, Calendly, or Fresha to accept appointments directly. 
  • Performance Insights – The “Performance” tab gives analytics on profile views, website clicks, direction requests, and calls. 
  • Attributes & Highlights – You can mark your business as woman-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly, pet-friendly, etc. 
  • Product/Service Highlights – List individual products or service packages, complete with photos, prices, and categories. 
  • Messaging – Note: The GBP messaging feature was sunset in July 2024. If you relied on it, consider linking to a contact form or using WhatsApp Business. 

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Even though GBP is simple to use, some businesses still face hurdles. Here are common issues and how to fix them:
Challenge Solution
Duplicate listings Request removal or merge via Google Support
Negative reviews Respond professionally; flag fake ones
Inconsistent info Use a spreadsheet to audit and sync data across all platforms
Low engagement Post regularly, ask for reviews, and update photos monthly
Poor ranking Improve completeness, add keywords, get local backlinks

Real-World Example: From Hidden to Highlighted

Case Study: Local Café in Fremantle 
A small café with minimal foot traffic claimed their GBP listing, added interior and menu photos, listed their vegan options, and began posting daily specials. Within two months, their listing appeared in the top 3 search results for “coffee near Fremantle,” and traffic increased by 40%. 

Quick Tips to Maximise Your GBP

Here’s a checklist to help you stay on top of your listing: 
Keep your business info accurate 
  • Add fresh photos monthly
  • Post updates weekly
  • Ask for reviews often
  • Reply to every review
  • Monitor insights to track what’s working 
  • Stay up to date with new GBP features 

Final Thoughts – Unlock the Power of Free Advertising with Google Business Profile 

In 2025, having a Google Business Profile isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s essential. GBP offers an unmatched opportunity to promote your business, build local awareness, and grow your customer base—all for free.

By setting up your profile, listing your offerings, encouraging reviews, and posting consistently, you can drive real results without spending on ads. It's one of the smartest ways to boost your business's visibility, trust, and long-term growth.
  • Add fresh photos monthly
  • Post updates weekly
  • Ask for reviews often
  • Reply to every review
  • Monitor insights to track what’s working 
  • Stay up to date with new GBP features 

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At Fix My Damn Website, we help businesses like yours make the most of their Google Business Profile. Whether you're setting it up for the first time or looking to fine-tune it for better performance, we've got the tools and expertise to get it right. 
From profile setup and optimisation to review strategies and SEO enhancements, we’ll help you get found and stay ahead.
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