Local searches are growing rapidly, with nearly half of all Google searches focused on finding businesses nearby. Every day, people around the world, from coffee lovers in Dhaka to tech seekers in London, are searching for local options. Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) gives you a free and effective way to stand out in these results and attract more local customers.

In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know about Google Business Profile. We’ll first cover the essentials, explain why it’s important, and then walk you through setting up and optimizing your profile. Next, you’ll pick up practical SEO strategies, like increasing your click-through rate and adapting to Google’s AI-driven changes, that matter if your business serves a local community or operates worldwide. Following these tips can help you attract more customers and expand your presence even further.

What Is Google My Business and Why It Matters Today

What Is Google My Business?

Google Business Profile (previously called Google My Business) is a free online tool for business owners. It lets you control how your business appears on Google Search, Google Maps, and other Google services. You can easily update important information, such as your address, opening hours, photos, and services. The recent name change highlights Google’s goal of making it easier for everyone to manage business information.

GMB’s Role in Local SEO

Google Business Profile is crucial for local SEO (search engine optimization)—the process that helps your business show up higher in search results for people nearby. Imagine a New Yorker searching for “best pizza near me” on Google; your business could appear in the top three map results. This tool works for businesses of any size, whether you are a Mumbai street vendor or an international e-commerce store.

Why GMB Matters Now

Mobile searches for local spots are everywhere, so keeping your GMB details up to date keeps you competitive. After all, 72% of shoppers rely on Google for such finds. As AI shapes searches, Google’s tech draws from solid profiles like yours to craft quick summaries. A strong one gets you into those overviews, hitting audiences in English or languages like Bengali, and even switching to native formats by location. Overlook it, and leads slip away; handle it right, and you gain trust plus steady traffic.

The Business Case: GMB’s Impact on Local SEO and Lead Generation

A well-optimized GMB profile can significantly boost your local search rankings and increase your click-through rate (CTR). Studies show that businesses with complete and accurate GMB profiles are twice as likely to build customer trust and can get up to 70% more visits to their physical stores. GMB listings appear in the coveted “local pack” at the top of search results, making them a prime source of qualified leads. By showcasing reviews, photos, and up-to-date information, GMB helps businesses convert searchers into loyal customers.

The Key Benefits of Using GMB to Attract Local Leads

First, using GMB brings big wins for businesses everywhere. First, it boosts your visibility. When optimized, your profile can land in Google’s local 3-pack, which gets a 44% click-through rate. That’s huge because 42% of searchers click on map pack results for local queries. Imagine a traveler in Tokyo searching for hotels; your GMB could be the first thing they see, leading to a booking.

Second, GMB builds credibility through reviews. About 91% of customers say local reviews affect how they view a business. And 83% use Google to check those reviews before choosing a service. Positive feedback makes you look trustworthy, especially to global customers who may not yet know your brand. For instance, a restaurant in Sydney can use reviews to show fresh, local ingredients and attract tourists.

Third, it drives direct engagement. Features like messaging, posts, and calls let customers connect right away. Eight in 10 US consumers search for local businesses online weekly, and GMB makes it easy to turn those searches into actions. Globally, this is key for multilingual markets. GMB shows info in the user’s language, helping bilingual snippets appear in mobile searches.

Finally, GMB ties into SEO by improving CTR, which Google uses as a ranking signal. Higher CTR means more clicks, which can improve your ranking. Studies show the top result gets nearly 40% of clicks, so a strong GMB helps you compete without paid ads. For businesses in emerging markets like Bangladesh, this levels the playing field against bigger players.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Google My Business Profile

Creating your Google My Business (GMB) profile is easy and doesn’t cost anything. Whether you’re based in a bustling city like Berlin or a small town in Bangladesh, follow these steps to make your business visible to more customers. Take action now; set up your GMB profile to boost your local presence and reach new clients.

Create or Use a Google Account

First, you’ll need a Google account. If you don’t already have one, visit accounts.google.com and sign up using your business email. This account acts as your dashboard for managing and monitoring your GMB profile.

Search for Your Business on Google

Next, open Google Maps or Google Search and enter your business name and location. If your business appears, click “Claim this business” or “Own this business?” If it doesn’t appear, click “Add your business to Google” to start a new listing.

Enter Basic Business Details

Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your signage or website to maintain consistent branding and SEO.

Choose the most accurate category, such as “Restaurant” or “IT Services,” to help customers find you. If you have a physical location, add your address. For service-based businesses, select the option indicating you deliver goods or services to customers.

Add Contact and Service Information

Include your phone number, website, and the areas you serve. If your business operates internationally, list service areas in multiple countries. Use a logo and cover photo to give your profile a unique look and make it easier for people to identify your business.

Verify Your Business

Verification is essential to unlock all GMB features. Google offers several verification methods, including phone, email, text, postcard, or video. For international businesses, video verification can be a good alternative if there are delays with postcards. The process may take a few days to a week, so be patient and ensure all information is accurate to avoid any issues.

Complete Your Profile

Once your business is verified, add your operating hours, special attributes (like “wheelchair accessible”), and a brief business description. If you manage multiple locations, create separate profiles for each or use Google’s multi-location management tool.

Tips for Success

• Use real, high-quality photos of your business to build trust with potential customers.
• For chains operating across different regions, ensure each profile complies with local regulations.

Optimizing Your GMB Profile for Maximum SEO Impact

Turning your Google My Business profile into a powerful lead generator requires more than just filling in the basics. Start optimizing strategically today to help your business stand out, attract more clicks, and rank higher in local search results. Take the next step and see the difference it makes for your business.

Ensure NAP Consistency

Begin by ensuring your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) match exactly across your website, social media, and online directories. Otherwise, conflicting information may confuse Google and hurt your search rankings.

Write a Compelling Business Description

Craft a clear, engaging description under 750 characters that highlights what sets your business apart, such as “Affordable SEO services for global businesses.” Use natural language to answer common customer questions and avoid keyword stuffing.

Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Upload at least 10 high-quality images, including shots of your storefront, interior, and products. Use clear, well-lit photos that load quickly on mobile devices. For a global audience, consider adding bilingual labels to your images to reach more customers.

Use Attributes and Highlights

Use GMB’s attributes and highlights to showcase unique aspects of your business, like “free Wi-Fi” or “eco-friendly.” Additionally, you can showcase your products or services with prices and descriptions, turning your profile into a virtual storefront and making it easier for customers to choose quickly. (An attribute is a detail about your business, like amenities or payment types. A highlight is something that makes your business stand out.)

Leverage Modern SEO Trends

• Boost Click-Through Rate (CTR)

Engaging photos and detailed information can increase your CTR by up to 40% in top search spots. Google rewards profiles with higher CTR, as it sees them as more relevant to users.

• Adapt to Google’s AI Rewrite Trends

Google’s AI often summarizes content from GMB profiles for search results. Make sure your information is accurate and detailed so your business appears in AI Overviews and featured snippets.

• Optimize for Mobile and Multilingual Users

Create profile snippets that work in both English and local languages, such as Bengali. GMB automatically adjusts displays based on the user’s location, helping you connect with a diverse audience.

• Use AI Tools for Meta Descriptions

When optimizing your website, use AI-powered tools like Yoast or AIOSEO to generate meta descriptions that are relevant and clickable. These tools help ensure your descriptions are the right length, match user intent, and include important keywords, which is especially useful for bilingual or international audiences.

Combine GMB with Off-Page SEO

For even better results, integrate your GMB efforts with broader strategies, such as off-page SEO. Building authority through backlinks and citations strengthens your online presence and boosts your rankings. At SEO Services BD, we help clients optimize their profiles for these trends, often resulting in 30% more leads.

Keep Your Profile Fresh

Regularly update your GMB profile with new photos, posts, and information. Take a moment now to refresh your profile, as frequent updates signal to Google that your business is active and trustworthy, increasing your search visibility.

Leveraging Reviews, Posts, and Engagement Features

Building a strong Google My Business profile goes beyond basic details. Engaging with customers through reviews, posts, and the Q&A section can significantly boost your visibility and reputation.

Collecting and Responding to Reviews

Ask for reviews through simple follow-up emails or by displaying QR codes that make it easy for customers to respond. Aim for detailed feedback; reviews over 200 characters tend to offer richer information that Google values. Always respond to every review, whether positive or negative, with a professional and caring tone. For example, you might say, “Thanks for the feedback! We’ll improve our delivery next time.” This approach shows you value customer input and can improve your ranking by increasing your business’s prominence.

Using Google Posts to Stay Fresh

Google Posts let you share timely updates, promotions, and events directly on your business profile. Post at least once a week, including images and clear calls to action like, “Visit our new branch in Chittagong!” Regular posts keep your profile active and boost your SEO by signaling to Google that your business is engaged and up to date.

Managing the Q&A Section

Use the Q&A feature to answer common questions before customers even ask. For businesses serving a global audience, provide answers in multiple languages to help users from different backgrounds. This proactive approach builds trust and makes your profile more helpful to a broader range of customers.

How AI Evaluates Engagement

Modern AI tools, such as Gemini, assess the authenticity of reviews and the helpfulness of your meta descriptions. Natural, genuine responses are more likely to be featured in AI-generated summaries. Engaging with customers through reviews, posts, and Q&A not only increases your click-through rate but also strengthens your search rankings. At SEO Services BD, we help businesses turn these interactions into loyal customers and lasting growth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid and Quick Fixes

Many businesses miss out on GMB’s full potential by making avoidable mistakes. Below, we break down the most common ones and offer practical solutions to fix them right away. As a result, resolving these problems helps safeguard your search rankings and encourages customers to return again and again.

Take time to review every section of your GMB dashboard. Add a detailed description, upload high-quality photos of your location and products, and include attributes like “wheelchair accessible” or “free delivery.” Aim to complete 100% of the fields—this simple step can boost your local SEO visibility by up to 25%.

Inconsistent Information

• Solution 

Conduct a quick audit: List your NAP (name, address, phone) details and compare them across your website, Yelp, and Facebook. Update everything to match exactly, then use tools like Moz Local to monitor consistency. This ensures Google trusts your info and improves your search placement.

Ignoring Reviews

• Solution

Set up a routine to check and reply to every review within 24-48 hours. For positives, thank the customer; for negatives, apologize and outline improvements, like “We’re sorry for the delay—we’ve added more staff to speed things up.” Encourage more reviews via email follow-ups to build a favorable profile that lifts your rankings.

Neglecting Updates

• Solution

Schedule monthly profile reviews using calendar reminders. Update holiday hours, refresh contact info if needed, and add seasonal posts. For global businesses, check language adaptations too. This keeps your profile dynamic and signals to Google that you’re active, which supports better search performance.

Measuring Success: KPIs and Insights from GMB

Track your progress with GMB’s Insights dashboard. It shows views, searches with your brand, and actions like calls or directions. For example, 70% of local searches lead to in-store visits within a day, so monitor these to see real impact.

Key KPIs include CTR (aim for 20-30% improvement post-optimization) and conversion rates from website clicks. Use the data to refine strategies, like focusing on high-performing photos.

For global monitoring, check mobile vs. desktop views and bilingual search terms. Integrate with Google Analytics for deeper insights. This data-driven approach ensures ongoing growth; let SEO Services BD analyze yours for better results.