Optimising your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a crucial step in increasing your local visibility and helping potential customers find your business. Whether you operate from a physical location or serve customers in a specific area, ensuring that your services are accurately listed can greatly affect how people engage with your business.
Why Adding Services to Your Google Business Profile Matters
When users search for specific services on Google or Maps, they rely on the details in your profile to make informed decisions. A detailed and well-organised list of services not only helps customers find exactly what they need but also enhances your profile’s performance in local search results. For businesses that rely on local customers, this can be the difference between standing out or getting overlooked by competitors.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Business Category
The first step in optimising your Google Business Profile is selecting the correct business category. This choice influences the services you can list and determines how your business appears in searches.
- Access the Dashboard: Begin by logging in to your GBP dashboard. Click the pencil icon next to your business name to review your current categories.
- Primary and Secondary Categories: Ensure your primary category accurately represents your business. For example, if you run a plumbing service, make sure “Plumber” is your primary category. You can also add secondary categories, such as “Emergency Plumbing” or “Water Heater Repair,” to cover all your services.
Step 2: Utilising Google’s Suggested Services
After setting your business category, Google will offer suggested services based on that category. These recommendations help ensure that your profile includes relevant services that customers are searching for.
- Services Editor: Within your GBP dashboard, navigate to the services editor to find suggested services. You can choose to add, edit, or remove services based on what your business offers.
- Organise Your Services: If your business provides multiple services, group them under relevant headings. This makes it easier for customers to understand what you offer and find the specific services they need.
Step 3: Analyse Competitor Profiles
Researching how your competitors have structured their profiles can provide useful insights and give you ideas to enhance your own.
- Research Competitors: Use Google Maps and Search to find similar businesses in your area. Look at the services they list and how they present their information.
- Identify Opportunities: If competitors are missing services that you offer, adding these to your profile could help you stand out and attract more customers.
Step 4: Discover More Services with Tools
There are several tools available that can help you find additional services relevant to your business. One such tool is GMB Everywhere, which can assist in identifying services based on your business category.
- Install GMB Everywhere: Visit link.gmbeverywhere.com/ai-tools to install this tool. It can help you identify services that match your business and industry.
- Create a Full Service List: Use the tool to generate a comprehensive list of services, ensuring your profile reflects everything you offer, from core services to specialised options.
Step 5: Align Services with Customer Search Behaviour
It’s not enough to simply list services—you need to ensure that your profile aligns with the way customers search for businesses like yours.
- Keyword Research: Tools like SEMrush and Google Keyword Planner can help you identify the terms people use when searching for your services. Make sure your service listings include these keywords to improve your visibility in search results.
- Optimise for Mobile: Many people search for local services on mobile devices, so ensure your profile is easy to navigate on a phone or tablet. This can improve customer satisfaction and engagement.
Best Practices for Adding Services to Your Google Business Profile
After identifying the services to include in your profile, follow these best practices to ensure your GBP is fully optimised.
Be Clear and Detailed
Providing clear, specific descriptions for each service helps customers understand exactly what you offer.
- Use Descriptive Service Names: Instead of generic terms like “Plumbing,” use more detailed phrases such as “24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Services” or “Residential Water Heater Installation.”
- Keep Your Profile Updated: Regularly update your profile as your business adds new services or if certain offerings are seasonal.
Use Customer Feedback
Customer feedback can be a valuable source of information for fine-tuning your service listings.
- Monitor Reviews: Pay attention to what customers mention in reviews, especially when they highlight specific services. If a service is frequently praised or requested, ensure it’s prominently listed on your profile.
- Incorporate Suggestions: If you notice customers frequently asking about a service that’s not currently listed, consider adding it to your profile to meet their needs.
Take Advantage of the Q&A Section
The Q&A section of your profile is a great way to answer customer queries and clarify service details.
- Address Common Questions: Use this section to provide clear answers to frequently asked questions. This helps customers make more informed decisions and reduces confusion.
- Improve Service Descriptions: If a specific service generates a lot of questions, review its description and update it to be clearer and more informative.
Case Study: A Local Business Success Story
A small service-area business was struggling to attract new customers through local search. They had a basic Google Business Profile with only a few general services listed.
- Actions Taken: The business used GMB Everywhere to identify more specific services to add to their profile. They also conducted keyword research to align their offerings with common search terms.
- Result: After updating their profile, the business saw an increase in visibility on Google Search and Maps. Customer inquiries went up, and the business was able to attract more clients, leading to increased revenue.
Looking Ahead: Trends to Watch in Google Business Profiles
As Google continues to enhance its business services, it’s essential to stay updated on trends that could improve your profile.
- AI-Suggested Services: Google increasingly uses AI to suggest services based on your business activity and customer interactions. Staying aware of these suggestions will help your business remain competitive.
- More Customisation Options: Future updates may allow for more detailed customisation of services, enabling businesses to tailor their offerings even more precisely.
Conclusion
Adding detailed and relevant services to your Google Business Profile is essential for improving your local search visibility. By selecting the right business categories, using Google’s service suggestions, researching competitors, and aligning your services with customer search habits, you can create a profile that attracts more attention and leads to higher customer engagement.
Regular updates, attention to customer feedback, and actively managing your profile will ensure that your business remains visible and competitive. Staying informed about industry trends will help you keep your profile current and continue attracting new customers.
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