Your Most Important Free Marketing Tool
For local businesses in Australia, your Google Business Profile is often the first thing potential customers see. It appears in local search results and Google Maps before your website does. Optimising it properly can generate a steady stream of enquiries and phone calls without spending a dollar on advertising.
Complete Every Section
Fill out every field in your profile: business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, service areas, and business description. Google ranks complete profiles higher than incomplete ones. Use your business description to clearly explain what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different.
Categories Matter
Choose your primary category carefully because it directly affects which searches you appear for. Then add secondary categories for other services you offer. A plumber might use "plumber" as the primary category and add "water heater installation service" and "drain cleaning service" as secondary categories.
Photos Drive Engagement
Profiles with photos receive 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks than those without. Upload high quality images of your business, team, products, and completed work. Add new photos monthly to signal that your business is active.
Reviews Are Everything
The number and quality of your Google reviews directly influence your ranking and conversion rate. Ask satisfied customers to leave a review and make it easy with a direct link. Respond to every review, both positive and negative. Professional responses to negative reviews can actually improve your reputation.
Posts Keep Your Profile Fresh
Google Business Posts let you share updates, offers, and events directly on your profile. Post weekly with news about your business, seasonal promotions, or helpful tips. Posts expire after seven days, so consistent posting keeps your profile looking active and current.
Questions and Answers
Monitor the Q&A section of your profile. Answer questions promptly and accurately. You can also pre-populate this section by asking and answering common questions yourself. This provides useful information for prospects and adds keyword-rich content to your profile.
Track Your Performance
Google provides analytics showing how many people viewed your profile, called your business, visited your website, or requested directions. Review these metrics monthly to understand what is working and where there are opportunities to improve.