Google My Business Guide
For local business owners and service providers, visibility is key. You want your business to be visible when people search for products or services “near me.” This is where you Google My Business (GMB) — now known as Google Business Profile — becomes your most valuable weapon.
At GrowviaAds, we assist local businesses to rank on local searches and dominate map listings through Google Business Profile management and optimization. In this post, we will try to summarize what is Google My Business, why it’s essential, how it works, and the tips you can consider to get more local customers in 2025.
What is Google My Business?
What is Google My Business? Google My Business (GMB) is a free, easy-to-use tool that you can use to help your business look amazing online and establish a strong online prospectus. It enables you to post your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, reviews, pictures, services and more.
When someone searches for:
“Best dentist near me”
“Digital marketing agency in Delhi”
“24-hour plumber in New York”
– Google sources the listings in GMB to use for Local map results, or the Local Pack.
An optimised Google Business Profile makes that more likely – in this high-visibility place at the top of regular organic search results.
What Is The Significance Of Google My Business?
Local Visibility:
GMB makes your business show up in local searches and on Google Maps – where many of your customers will go to look for local solutions.
Boosts Trust & Credibility:
A verified, full GMB profile with good positive reviews also adds a lot of trust with potential customers.
Drives More Calls, Visits & Sales:
According to figures from Google, 76pc of those who search for a local business on mobile visit the premises within 24 hours.
Free Traffic:
Unlike paid advertising GMB traffic is organic and free — meaning long-term results without the constant ad spend.
Customer Engagement:
Reviews, Questions & Answers, Updates & Google My Business enables you to interact with your audience by responding to reviews, answering questions and providing updates.
Google My Business – key features
Here are a few key elements of a GMB profile that set businesses apart:
Business Info
Name, Address, Phone (NAP), website, business category, and service area.
Google Reviews
Customers can give star ratings and leave reviews. Positive reviews make your business more credible and can impact decisions.
Photos & Videos
You can attach images of your products, staff, office, or services. Profiles with photos receive 42% more requests for directions.
Posts
You may post little updates, offers, event announcements, or bloggy type things about your business.
Messaging
Allow customers to message your business right from your listing.
Booking & Appointments
If you have a service industry business, you can also include booking systems directly via GMB.
Insights
Google provides data on:
How customers find your listing
Search queries used
Calls, website clicks, direction requests etc.
How to Optimize Your GMB Profile (10 Tips)
Following are the successful steps we follow at GrowviaAds while optimizing your profile.
Use Consistent NAP
Ensure your business name, information, and phone number (NAP) are uniform on all platforms.
Add Complete Business Info
Complete all sections: hours, services, FAQs, description, payment methods.
Upload High-Quality Photos
Include a minimum of 10+ authentic photos of your products, team, store or work.
Use Keywords in Descriptions
Naturally use appropriate keywords, such as “digital marketing agency in Mumbai” or “best dentist near Brooklyn,” in your business’s description.
Collect & Respond to Reviews
If you have happy customers, prompt them to write about their experiences. Always respond professionally — but especially to bad ones.
Add Weekly Posts
Share some updates, offers or a new blog link to keep your listing alive. Google rewards active listings.
Enable Messaging
Make it easy for people to reach you immediately when they are interested in doing business with you.
Common GMB Mistakes to Avoid
Utilising inappropriate or inaccurate business information
Ignoring negative reviews
If the business name contains keyword stuffing
Not verifying your listing
Not adjusting business hours for holidays
Not utilising Q&A/post features
By not making these mistakes your profile is in compliance and will perform.
Google My Business and Local SEO
GMB is a huge component of local SEO. Here’s how it connects:
GMB Data informs to rank top businesses by Google’s Local Pack.
NAP Consistency helps Google to trust that your business is where you say it is and having the contact information that you say it does!
Reviews & Ratings Enhance ranking and CTR.
Keywords are geo-targeted to your GMB profile to help match local search intent.
That’s why at GrowviaAds, we incorporate GMB optimization into every local SEO campaign we do, because without it, you’re losing out on your closest and most-prepared-to-buy customer.
GMB Insights: Track Your Success
Within your Google Business dashboard you can see useful information such as:
How many people have viewed your listing
Search queries that led to your profile
Calls received
Direction requests
Photo views
Website visits from GMB
These are the types of numbers that can gradually hone in your local marketing.
How GrowviaAds Can Assist You With Google My Business
If you are too busy running your business, we can take care of it all for you. Here is what our GMB optimization service consists of:
GMB profile setup and verification
Complete profile optimization (images, descriptions, categories, etc.)
Weekly GMB posts and updates
Review management (response and strategy)
Performance reporting and insights tracking
Integration of Local SEO for higher rankings
We make sure not only does your business show up — but, it stands out.
Final Thoughts
By 2025, having a Google My Business listing won’t be a nice to have — it will be a must have for local businesses. Given that more and more people are searching for local businesses most often on their mobile phones, and sometimes from the comfort of home using a voice search, this can send local leads, sales and revenue through the roof.
Whether you’re a salon, clinic, law firm, plumber, or marketing agency, a well-optimized GMB profile is a 24/7 digital storefront for your business, and it’s free.
Do not allow your competitors to rank higher in your own neighbourhood.