Maximize Your Google Business Profile: 7 Essential Settings You Might Be Missing
Takeaways:
- Regularly update your Google Business Profile settings to boost visibility and attract more traffic.
- Enable notifications to stay informed about reviews, bookings, and other critical updates.
- Utilize Google Assistant for booking management to streamline operations and increase bookings.
- Ensure your business location is accurately marked on Google Maps to improve local search traffic.
- Manage your business attributes and special hours to stand out in search results and attract more customers.
Many business owners miss out on significant traffic simply because they haven't optimized their Google Business Profile settings. By adjusting a few key settings, you can significantly enhance your online presence and attract more customers from Google Maps and Google Search. In this article, we’ll explore seven essential settings you need to configure, along with some bonus tips to further boost your visibility.
1. Toggle Notifications for Enhanced Engagement
Google frequently updates its services, and staying informed about these changes can be crucial for your business. To ensure you receive timely updates about new reviews, Q&A, and other critical notifications:
- Log into your Google Business Profile.
- Click on the three-dot menu.
- Select "Notifications."
- Toggle on notifications for reviews, new bookings, quotes, and other relevant updates.
By keeping these notifications enabled, you can quickly respond to reviews and inquiries, demonstrating active engagement to Google and potential customers.
2. Enable Google Assistant Calls for More Bookings
Google Assistant can handle bookings for your business, freeing you from constantly answering the phone. To activate this feature:
- Go to your business profile settings.
- Select "Advanced Settings."
- Enable "Google Assistant Calls" for bookings.
This setting can increase your booking volume by allowing customers to schedule appointments through voice commands.
3. Update Your Business Description for Better Visibility
Your business description acts as a free advertisement on your Google Business Profile. To optimize it:
- Access the "Description" section in your business profile settings.
- Update the description to reflect any changes in your business, such as increased experience or new services.
- Use up to 750 characters to include relevant keywords and make your description compelling.
Remember, Google often uses the first 250 characters of your description, so make sure these initial lines are impactful.
4. Correctly Mark Your Business Location on Google Maps
An accurate location on Google Maps is essential for attracting local traffic. To ensure your business is correctly placed:
- Navigate to "Business Information" in your profile.
- Click on "Location" and then the pencil icon.
- Adjust the map pin to your exact location.
Regularly check and update your location to avoid losing potential customers due to incorrect mapping.
5. Display Your Phone Number to Increase Calls
If your phone number isn’t visible to potential customers, you might miss out on valuable leads. To ensure your number is displayed:
- Go to "Business Profile Settings" via the three-dot menu.
- Access "Advanced Settings."
- Toggle the phone number setting to ensure it is visible to the public.
Keep in mind that toggling this setting on might turn the number off, so verify its status carefully.
6. Manage Your Business Attributes for Better Ranking
Google uses business attributes to enhance search results. To manage your attributes:
- Go to "Business Information."
- Scroll to the "Attributes" section.
- Enable relevant attributes, such as wheelchair access or multilingual support.
Correctly managing your attributes can improve your visibility in searches related to these features.
7. Configure Special Hours for Enhanced Customer Service
If your business has specific hours like a happy hour or special pick-up times, make sure these are listed:
- Access "Business Information."
- Click on "More Hours."
- Add any special hours or events that can help your business stand out.
These details can make your business more appealing to potential customers searching for specific services or times.
Data Table: Impact of Google Business Profile Settings
Setting |
Potential Impact |
Example Benefit |
Notification Toggles |
Keeps you informed of reviews and updates |
Increased engagement and timely responses |
Google Assistant Calls |
Automates bookings |
More bookings without phone management |
Business Description |
Free advertisement |
Improved SEO and customer awareness |
Accurate Location |
Increases local traffic |
More foot traffic and local customers |
Visible Phone Number |
Attracts more calls |
Higher customer contact rate |
Managed Attributes |
Better search ranking |
Enhanced visibility for specific features |
Special Hours |
Highlights unique times |
Attracts customers looking for specific offers |
FAQs
- How do I enable notifications for my Google Business Profile?
- Log into your profile, click on the three-dot menu, select "Notifications," and toggle on the notifications you want.
- Can Google Assistant handle bookings for my business?
- Yes, by enabling "Google Assistant Calls" in your advanced settings, you can let Google Assistant manage bookings.
- How often should I update my business description?
- Regularly update your description to reflect changes in your business and optimize for relevant keywords.
- What should I do if my business location on Google Maps is incorrect?
- Access "Business Information," adjust the map pin to your exact location, and save the changes.
- How can I add special hours to my business profile?
- Go to "Business Information," click on "More Hours," and enter any special hours or events you want to highlight.