How To Grow Google Business Profile Audience Traffic Right Now
- Spencer Capron
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is like your digital front door. It shows up in Google Search and on Google Maps. When you make it easy for people to find your phone number, business description, photos, and reviews, you get more customers—and more sales. Let’s dive deeper into each step so you can maximize every opportunity.
How To Grow Google Business Profile Audience Right Now
Step 1: Claim, Verify, and Fill In Your Profile
Claim & verify
Go to Google Business and click “Claim this profile.” If someone else set it up, request ownership.
Google mails you a postcard with a code. Enter that code to verify you’re really at that address.
If the postcard gets lost, you can request a phone or email verification in some cases.
Verified profiles show up higher in local search results and on Maps, and they unlock all the features you need to engage customers . Without verification, you can’t post updates or respond to reviews, so this is non-negotiable.
Complete your info
Business name, address, phone number (NAP): Make sure these match exactly what appears on your website and social profiles.
Hours: Include special holiday hours so customers aren’t left frustrated.
Business description: Use words people search for, like local SEO, customer reviews, near me, and sprinkle in your unique selling points—“family-owned,” “24/7 support,” or “free delivery.” .
Ensuring consistency across every platform makes Google trust your data, which helps your ranking.
Step 2: Add Photos & Attributes
Why photos?
Listings with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks .
Photos build trust—people feel they know you before they even visit.
What to include
Storefront shot (so they recognize you when they arrive)
Interior or seating area (shows ambiance)
Best-selling products or signature dishes
Team members in action (adds a human touch)
Attributes
Tags like “outdoor seating,” “women-led business,” “wheelchair accessible,” or “free Wi-Fi” help you appear in more filtered searches .
Keep attributes updated—if you add delivery, health measures, or new services, update them right away.
Fresh galleries and accurate attributes tell Google—and your customers—that you’re active and trustworthy.
Step 3: Use Google Posts
Google Posts are mini updates that show right on your profile in Search and Maps. You can post:
Offers (e.g., “20% off large pizzas this weekend—order now!”)
Events (e.g., “Live jazz Wednesday, 7–9pm. Reserve your table!”)
Updates (e.g., “Now offering contactless curbside pickup.”)
Product highlights (e.g., “Try our new vegan brownie—now available!”)
Why they matter
Posts with images and call-to-action buttons get up to 70% more engagement than text-only listings.
They keep your profile fresh, which Google rewards with better visibility.
How often
Aim for at least one post per week.
For special promotions or events, post 2–3 times in the lead-up.
Include a clear call to action—“Call now,” “Buy online,” or “Learn more”—so people know what to do next.
Step 4: Engage with Reviews
Why reply?
Businesses that respond to reviews earn 12% more reviews and see an average rating boost of 0.12 stars .
Replies show potential customers you care about feedback and service quality.
How to reply
5-star review: “Thanks so much, [Name]! We’re thrilled you loved our [product/service]. Can’t wait to see you again!”
3-star review: “Hi [Name], thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry we didn’t exceed expectations. Please call us at [phone number] so we can make it right.”
1-star review: Stay calm. “We’re very sorry to hear about your experience. Please reach out to our manager at [email] so we can address this directly.”
Make every response personal—use the customer’s name and mention specifics they noted. This human touch goes a long way.
Step 5: Add a Q&A Section
The Q&A section on your GBP lets you post and answer common questions. Google users see this right under your main info.
Question | Answer |
How do I increase visibility on GBP? | Keep your info accurate, add photos & attributes, post weekly, and reply to reviews. |
What type of posts perform best on GBP? | Offers and events—they include action buttons like “View offer” and “Register.” |
How often should I update my GBP? | At least once a week. New photos, Google Posts, and fresh FAQs keep you active. |
Can I delete a negative review? | No—but you can reply professionally. A good reply can turn a negative into a positive. |
What keywords should I use? | Think like your customers: “best pizza near me,” “24/7 coffee,” or “family dentist open now.” |
Monitor new questions weekly. When customers ask something new, add it—you’ll build more content for Google to index.
Step 6: Track Your Key Metrics
Google Insights shows how people interact with your profile. Watch for:
Metric | What It Tells You |
Website clicks | Interest in learning more about you |
Phone calls | Direct measure of leads |
Direction requests | Intent to visit your location |
Photo views & engagement | Which images attract attention |
Post engagement (clicks) | Which offers or events drive action |
Advanced tracking tips
Use UTM parameters on any links in Posts or your website link to see referral traffic in Google Analytics.
Set up a call-tracking number to measure phone leads separately from your main line.
Review these metrics monthly and adjust your strategy. If photo views are low, add new images. If calls are down, highlight your phone number in your description.
Step 7: Leverage AI Tools
AI can help you stay on top without extra work:
Automated review replies: Tools like Podium or ReviewWave draft replies for you to approve .
Post-scheduling assistants: Platforms such as Loomly suggest the best times to post based on past engagement .
Sentiment analysis: Services like MonkeyLearn alert you to negative reviews so you can respond fast .
Workflow example
New review arrives.
AI drafts a response.
You get a notification, tweak if needed, and publish.
This keeps response times under 24 hours—key to maintaining a positive reputation.
Step 8: Integrate Everywhere
Make your GBP the hub of your local marketing:
Embed your GBP on your website’s contact page—this gives Google another signal that your business is active .
Auto-share Google Posts to your Facebook Page or LinkedIn to reach more of your audience.
Review widget: Add a live review feed on your website so visitors see your top Google reviews in real time.
Encourage your team to link to your GBP in email signatures, receipts, and social media bios.
Real Results: Elveras Café Case Study
Elveras Café in Brockton, MA, wanted to boost its local online presence. Capron Media implemented a focused GBP strategy alongside a site revamp.
Metric | Before | After (1 month) |
First-page keyword rankings | 77 | 143 (+66) |
Local organic search traffic (visits/month) | 250 | 308 (+23%) |
Online orders | 100/month | 105/month (+5%) |
Key actions taken:
Claimed and verified GBP; added new attributes (“pet-friendly,” “free Wi-Fi”).
Uploaded 20+ high-quality photos, including menu highlights and interior shots.
Posted weekly brunch and dinner specials as Offers with action buttons.
Responded to every review within 12 hours using AI-drafted replies.
Added five new FAQs to the Q&A section based on customer questions.
Within a month, Elveras Café saw a 23% jump in local traffic and doubled its first-page keyword rankings—proof that an optimized GBP drives real business growth.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue | Fix |
Profile suspended or unverified | Re-submit verification or contact Google support |
Hours not updating | Edit hours in “Info” tab, then post a quick Google Post to refresh cache |
Duplicate listings | Merge extras in Google Business dashboard or request removal |
If you hit a roadblock, Google’s GBP Help Community and support docs can guide you through.
Next Steps
Today: Add one new FAQ and answer it.
This week: Post an Offer with a clear call to action.
This month: Review Insights and adjust—add photos if views are down, tweak description if clicks are low.
By staying active and focused on these steps, you’ll see your Google Business Profile audience—and your local sales—grow steadily.
Happy optimizing!
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