How to Promote Google My Business

Your Google My Business profile is one of the most powerful free marketing tools you have, but simply having one isn't enough. To turn it into a real customer-generating machine, you need to actively promote it. This guide gives you actionable strategies to optimize your profile, engage customers, and use every feature to climb local search rankings and drive real-world traffic.

First Things First: Fully Optimize Your Core Profile

Before you start any active promotion, your foundation must be rock-solid. An incomplete or inaccurate profile sends negative signals to both Google and potential customers. Think of this as setting the stage for everything that follows.

1. Complete Every Single Section

This sounds obvious, but it’s the most common mistake businesses make. Go through your profile with a fine-toothed comb and make sure nothing is left blank. The more information you give Google, the more confident it becomes in ranking your business for relevant searches.

• NAP+W: Your Name, Address, Phone Number, and Website must be 100% accurate and consistent everywhere on the web. A single typo can create confusion and harm your local SEO.
• Hours of Operation: Keep these updated religiously, especially for holidays or special events. Nothing frustrates a customer more than showing up to a closed business.
• Attributes: These checkboxes give customers quick, valuable information. Are you women-led? Do you offer outdoor seating? Are you wheelchair accessible? Do you offer online appointments? Select every attribute that applies to your business.

2. Choose the Right Business Categories

Categories tell Google what your business is. This is one of the most significant factors in determining which searches you show up for.

• Primary Category: This is your most important choice. Be as specific as possible. Instead of "Restaurant," choose "Italian Restaurant" or "Vegan Restaurant."
• Secondary Categories: Add any other categories that accurately describe what you offer. If you're a "Pizzeria" (primary) that also has a "Bar" and offers "Food Delivery," add those as secondary categories. Don't go overboard - stick to what's truly relevant.

3. Write a Keyword-Rich Business Description

Your business description is your opportunity to tell your story and include important keywords. Don't just list services, explain what makes you unique. Mention your location (e.g., "the top-rated Italian restaurant in downtown Springfield") and key offerings ("serving handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas for over 20 years"). Google uses this text to better understand your business, and customers read it to decide if you're the right fit.

4. Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in local search. Profiles with numerous high-quality photos get more clicks and more direction requests. Aim for a mix of professional shots and authentic, in-the-moment pictures.

• Logo & Cover Photo: These are your brand identifiers. Make sure they are clear and professional.
• Interior/Exterior Shots: Show customers what to expect when they arrive.
• Team Photos: Put a face to the business. This builds trust and humanizes your brand.
• Product/Service in Action: Show off your work. A restaurant should have photos of popular dishes, a salon should have before-and-after shots.
• Video: A short 30-second video tour or a clip of your team at work can significantly boost engagement.

Pro Tip: Name your image files with relevant keywords before uploading them (e.g., `italian-restaurant-downtown-springfield.jpg` instead of `IMG_1234.jpg`).

Use Google Posts to Actively Promote Your Business

Once your profile is optimized, it's time to start creating content directly on it. Google Posts are like mini-ads or social media updates that appear right on your profile in search results. They are a fantastic way to show that your business is active and to promote targeted messages.

What Can You Share with Google Posts?

• Updates: Share general news, a link to your latest blog post, or highlight a specific service. This is your go-to option for general communication.
• Offers: This is a powerful promotional tool. Create special offers with specific start and end dates, like "15% off all pizzas this week" or "Free consultation for new clients." You can even include coupon codes.
• Events: Hosting a webinar, a local workshop, or a live music night? Create an Event post with a title, date, time, and a link to register or learn more.

Best Practices for Effective Google Posts

• Use a Compelling Visual: Posts with a high-quality photo or a simple graphic always perform better than text-only posts.
• Write a Strong Headline: Grab attention immediately. Instead of "New Post," try "5 Tips for Perfect Lawn Care This Spring."
• Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Each post should guide the user to do something. Use Google's available CTA buttons like "Learn More," "Call Now," "Book," or "Sign Up."
• Post Consistently: Aim to publish a new post at least once a week. This signals to Google that you are actively managing your profile, which can positively impact your ranking.

Harness the Power of Reviews for Social Proof

Reviews are the lifeblood of your Google My Business profile. They are a massive ranking factor and the single most important trust signal for potential customers. Promoting your profile means actively managing and encouraging reviews.

How to Get More Google Reviews

It starts with asking! Happy customers are often willing to leave a review, but they forget unless you prompt them.

• Create and Share Your Review Link: In your GMB dashboard, you can get a direct link to your review page. This removes all friction for the customer.
• Email Signatures: Add a simple line to your email signature: "Enjoyed our service? Leave us a review on Google!" with a link.
• Post-Purchase Follow-Ups: Send a follow-up email a day or two after a purchase or service, thanking the customer and gently asking for feedback on Google.
• In-Person Prompts: Use QR codes on receipts, flyers, or business cards that link directly to your review page. When a customer pays you a compliment in person, say, "Thank you so much! We'd be grateful if you shared that in a Google review."

Respond to Every Single Review

Responding to reviews is just as important as getting them. It shows you're engaged, you care about customer feedback, and you’re a real human.

• For Positive Reviews: Thank the customer by name. Mention the specific positive feedback they gave to show you truly read it. (e.g., "Thanks, Sarah! We're so glad you enjoyed the Diavola pizza. Hope to see you again soon!")
• For Negative Reviews: Never get defensive. Apologize for their poor experience, take the conversation offline ("Please email us at manager@email.com so we can make this right"), and show other potential customers that you handle issues professionally.

Answer Questions Before They're Asked with Q&A

The "Questions & Answers" section on your profile is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. The best part? You can ask and answer your own questions.

Proactive Q&A Strategy

Think about the top 5-10 questions you get from customers all the time. Is parking available? Do you offer gluten-free options? What are your return policies? What's your most popular item?

Log in, ask these questions one by one on your own profile, and then immediately answer them with clear, helpful information. This pre-loads your profile with exactly what users are looking for and establishes your business as the expert. When others see these helpful Q&As, they are more likely to have a positive impression of your business.

Turn On Messaging for Direct Connections

The Messaging feature lets customers send you a text message directly from your GMB profile. In a world where people prefer a quick text over a phone call, this is an incredible way to generate leads.

Simply turn the feature on in your dashboard and set up a simple automated welcome message, like "Thanks for contacting [Your Business]! We'll get back to you within the hour." The key is to respond quickly. Fast response times give customers a great first impression and increase the chances of winning their business.

Final Thoughts

Promoting your Google My Business profile isn't a "set it and forget it" task. Consistent effort in keeping your information updated, posting new content, and engaging with reviews will transform it from a simple listing into one of your most valuable marketing assets.

When you create a great Offer Post or Event on Google My Business, that content shouldn't just live in one place. Sharing it across your other social channels like Instagram, Facebook, and X is a great way to maximize its reach. We know that juggling all these platforms can feel like a full-time job, which is exactly why we built Postbase. Our simple, visual calendar lets you plan and schedule all your content - including those great promotions from GMB - across every platform at once, helping you stay consistent without the headache.