How to Get More Views on Google My Business

Your Google Business Profile is often the very first thing a potential customer sees. Before they visit your website, before they follow you on social media, they find you on Google Maps or in local search results. This article breaks down exactly how to turn that brief encounter into more views, more engagement, and ultimately, more customers by transforming your profile into a powerful marketing tool.

The Foundation: Build a Complete and Compelling Profile

An incomplete profile is like a store with half the lights off - it doesn’t inspire confidence. Your first step is to fill out every single section Google offers. This isn’t just about looking professional, it’s about providing Google with as much information as possible to prove you’re a legitimate, active business worthy of a high rank.

Complete Every Field (Seriously)

Don't skip the "optional" stuff. The more data Google has, the better it can understand what you do and who you serve. Make sure these are filled out accurately and completely:

• Business Name: Use your actual business name. Don't stuff it with keywords like "NYC Best Pizza Shop." Google will penalize you for this.
• Categories: This is huge. Choose a primary category that best represents what your business is (e.g., "Italian Restaurant"). Then, use secondary categories to describe what you offer (e.g., "Pizza Delivery," "Caterer," "Event Venue"). Be specific and use all relevant options.
• Service Area: If you're a service-area business (like a plumber or landscaper), define your service areas precisely. This directly impacts whether you show up in location-specific searches.
• Hours of Operation: Keep these updated, especially for holidays or special events. Incorrect hours are an instant source of frustration for customers.
• Address & Phone Number: Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information is 100% consistent everywhere online - your website, social media profiles, and other directories. Consistency builds trust with Google's algorithm.
• Attributes: These little details make a big difference. Does your business have Wi-Fi? Is it women-owned? Is it wheelchair accessible? Attributes help you appear in very specific searches like "coffee shop with outdoor seating near me."

Craft a Keyword-Rich Business Description

You have 750 characters to tell your story in the business description. Use it wisely. Think about what a potential customer would search for to find a business like yours and naturally include those terms. Don’t just list services, explain what makes you different. Tell people what to expect and why they should choose you. Write for a human first, but keep those important keywords in mind.

Example for a Dog Daycare: "Denver's top-rated dog daycare and boarding facility offering a safe, fun, and cage-free environment. Our experienced team provides personalized dog training, professional grooming, and all-day supervised play for dogs of all sizes. Conveniently located downtown with flexible pick-up times."

Content is King: Use Google Posts and Media to Drive Traffic

Many business owners set up their profile and then forget about it. That’s a missed opportunity. Your Google Business Profile should be treated like any other social media channel. It needs consistent, fresh content to show both customers and Google that your business is active and engaged.

Master Google Posts for Timely Updates

Google Posts are like mini-ads or social media updates that appear directly in your profile when people find you on Search or Maps. They expire every seven days (unless they are linked to an event), so fresh content is necessary. Consistent posting signals to Google that your business is active.

There are a few types of posts you should create:

• What's New / Updates: Share recent news, blog posts, new arrivals, or general company updates. This is great for keeping your audience informed and showcasing activity.
• Offers: Announce special promotions, sales, or discounts. These posts include a start and end date, a coupon code field, and a direct link, making them excellent calls-to-action.
• Events: Promoting a workshop, webinar, or in-store event? Use an event post that includes the title, date, and time. This helps your event show up in local searches.

A top tip: Every post should include a high-quality photo or video and a clear call-to-action (CTA). Use buttons like "Learn More," "Call Now," "Order Online," or "Book" to guide users to their next step.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Clicks

Profiles with more photos get more clicks, more requests for directions, and more calls. It's that simple. Photos build trust and help customers visualize the experience of working with you before they ever walk through your door.

Essential photos to upload:

• Logo & Cover Photo: These are your brand identifiers. Make them high-resolution and professionally represent your business.
• Exterior Photos: Show what your building looks like from different angles and times of day to help people find you easily. Include photos of the parking lot and entrance.
• Interior Photos: Give customers a feel for your space. Show off your decor, seating areas, merchandise displays, or equipment. Create a virtual tour of your establishment.
• Team Photos: People do business with people. Fun, professional photos of you and your staff make you more relatable and trustworthy.
• "In-Action" Shots: Show what you do! If you're a baker, show cakes being frosted. If you're a personal trainer, show a client session in progress. This content brings your services to life.

Don't forget videos! You can upload short videos (up to 30 seconds) to showcase your space, products, or happy customers. Encourage your customers to post their own photos, too - user-generated content is authentic and powerful.

The Power of Social Proof: Generate and Respond to Reviews

Online reviews are the modern-day word-of-mouth. According to studies, the vast majority of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. A steady stream of positive reviews is one of the most significant Local SEO ranking factors.

How to Get More Reviews

Getting reviews starts with one simple rule: ask. Many happy customers are willing to leave a review but simply forget or don't think to do it unless prompted.

• Make it easy: Google provides a direct link for customers to leave a review on your profile. Put this link in your email signature, on your receipts, on your website, or in your follow-up customer emails.
• Ask at the right time: The best time to ask is right after a positive experience. Did you just complete a successful project? Did a customer just compliment your service? That's the perfect moment to say, "We're so glad you had a great experience! It would mean the world to us if you could share your feedback on Google."
• Use signage: For brick-and-mortar locations, simple in-store signage with a QR code linking to your review page can be very effective.

Important note: Never offer incentives in exchange for reviews. This is against Google's policies and can get your profile penalized.

Respond to Every Single Review

This is non-negotiable. Responding to reviews shows potential customers that you are engaged and care about feedback. It also directly impacts your local ranking.

• For positive reviews: Thank the customer by name. Reference a specific detail from their review to show you actually read it. This strengthens the relationship and turns happy customers into loyal advocates.
• For negative reviews: This is an opportunity, not a conflict. Respond promptly and professionally. Apologize for their poor experience, show empathy, and offer to take the conversation offline to resolve the issue. This demonstrates accountability to everyone else reading the reviews.

Engage and Interact: Mastering the Q&A Section

The "Questions & Answers" section on your profile is a goldmine for engagement and information. This tool allows anyone to ask a question about your business - and anyone to answer it. If you're not an active participant, you risk competitors or misinformed customers providing incorrect answers.

Proactively Seed Your Own Q&A

You don't have to wait for customers to ask questions. Think about the most common questions you receive and ask and answer them yourself. This is a perfect way to build an instant FAQ directly on your profile.

Examples of questions to seed:

• "Do you offer free quotes?"
• "What are your gluten-free options?"
• "Is parking available?"
• "What is your return policy?"

When you answer your own questions, you control the narrative and provide valuable, accurate information that can help customers make faster decisions.

Keep an Eye on New Questions

Set up alerts so you're notified when someone posts a new question. Be the first to answer it yourself. A swift, accurate response from the business owner is far more valuable than a guess from a random stranger. Just like with reviews, your active participation here is a positive signal to everyone.

Final Thoughts

Boosting your views on Google My Business isn’t about finding a single secret hack or gimmick. It’s about treating your profile as a dynamic, living asset for your business. By thoroughly completing your information, consistently sharing fresh content, encouraging and engaging with reviews, and using an "always on" approach, your online presence will definitely improve over time.

Just as your Google Profile thrives on consistent content to attract local customers, your other social platforms depend on a steady stream of content to build your brand. Managing all of that can feel overwhelming, which is why we built Postbase. We designed a clean, visual calendar to help you plan, schedule, and see all your content for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more in one streamlined place, so you can stop juggling apps and get back to running your business.