Story Based Question
Imagine you’re opening a cozy new café in your city, and you’re excited to get the word out to locals. You’ve already claimed your Google My Business (GMB) listing, but now you’re wondering: “What should I put in my profile to make sure people can find me, trust me, and visit my café?” You know that a strong online presence is essential, so you want to make sure your GMB profile includes all the right information.
Exact Answer
Your Google My Business (GMB) profile should include accurate and complete information about your business, such as your name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and category. You should also add photos, a description, and collect customer reviews.
Explanation
Your GMB profile is one of the first things customers will see when they search for your business or similar services in their area. To make sure you’re visible, credible, and appealing, you need to fill out all key sections of your GMB profile. Here’s what you should include:
- Business Name: Use the official name of your business. Don’t try to stuff keywords into your name (e.g., “Joe’s Coffee Shop – Best Coffee in Town”), as this can hurt your ranking.
- Address: Make sure to include your full, accurate business address. This helps people find your location easily, especially on Google Maps.
- Phone Number: Include a local phone number, not a toll-free one, as it’s more likely to appear in local search results and build trust with customers.
- Website URL: Link to your website or a relevant landing page. This allows potential customers to learn more about your business, menu, or services.
- Business Hours: Include accurate opening and closing hours, especially during holidays or special events. Google lets you mark special hours for holidays, so take advantage of that!
- Business Category: Choose the most relevant category for your business (e.g., “Café” for your coffee shop). This helps Google understand what you do and show your business in the right searches.
- Business Description: Write a short, clear description of your business. Highlight what makes your café unique—whether it’s your specialty coffee, comfy atmosphere, or local sourcing.
- Photos: Add high-quality photos of your business, including the exterior, interior, products, and staff. Photos can boost customer interest and engagement. Make sure your images are clear and well-lit.
- Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews. Positive reviews improve your reputation and help you rank higher in local searches.
- Services and Products: If applicable, list the services or products you offer (like coffee, pastries, catering, etc.). This helps customers understand exactly what they can expect from your café.
- Questions & Answers: Respond to any questions that may appear in the Q&A section. You can also add commonly asked questions yourself to provide helpful information up front.
Example
Let’s look at your café, Brewed Bliss Café. After claiming your GMB profile, you make sure to fill out all the essential sections:
- Business Name: Brewed Bliss Café
- Address: 456 Coffee St, Your City, Zip Code
- Phone Number: (123) 456-7890
- Website: www.brewedblisscafe.com
- Business Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (special holiday hours set for Christmas)
- Business Category: Café
- Business Description: “At Brewed Bliss Café, we serve locally sourced coffee and fresh pastries in a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and the best brews in town!”
- Photos: Photos of your café’s inviting interior, freshly brewed coffee, and your staff behind the counter, ready to greet customers.
- Reviews: Encouraging customers to leave reviews like “Best coffee in town! Cozy space for work or relaxation.”
- Services: “Fresh coffee, gourmet pastries, catering for events.”
By completing your GMB profile like this, you’re not just making your business easier to find, but you’re also making a great first impression on potential customers. Now, when someone nearby searches for “coffee near me,” they’ll find Brewed Bliss Café with all the details they need to stop by and enjoy a cup!