How to Improve the Engagement of Your Google Business Profile?

What Does Engagement on Your Google Business Profile Refer To?

Engagement on your Google Business Profile refers to users not just viewing your profile in search results on the map but actively interacting with it. This includes actions like clicking on your profile for more details, visiting your location, booking a service, or leaving a review afterward. Engagement is a two-way process—you need to provide valuable, updated information and content that encourages users to respond.

A well-maintained profile with relevant information, images, and reviews attracts more attention and interaction. Conversely, an empty or outdated profile won't inspire confidence from potential customers or search engines. Ask yourself, why would you engage with a profile that appears uninviting, especially when there are better-looking options available? Correct, you wouldn’t. Thus, let’s have a look at how you can prevent this situation!

By continuously offering value through updates and engagement, you improve your chances of higher visibility and interaction on your Google Business Profile.

This ensures both users and search engines see your business as active and reliable, ultimately driving more leads and conversions.

12 Proven Ways to Optimize Your Google Business Profile for More Engagement

We offer 12 proven ways, developed from our extensive experience helping clients worldwide, to improve their visibility on Google and drive more customer traffic through enhanced online engagement.

Explore the top 12 methods recommended by our local SEO experts to boost engagement on your Google Business Profile!

1. Fill Out Your Information on Your Google Business Profile in Detail
2. Add Your Most Important Attributes
3. List Your Services and Products / Brands
4. Consider Optimizing Your Opening Hours
5. Collect Customer Reviews
6. Respond to Customer Reviews
7. Use Google Posts
8. Add a Booking Link
9. Add Your Website Link
10. Add Q&A’s and Respond to Q&A’s
11. Add High-Quality Images That Represent Your Business From All Angles
12. Add The Option for Food Ordering (Restaurants Only)

Fill Out Your Information on Your Google Business Profile in Detail

No one will click on an empty Google Business Profile—it acts as your digital business card and needs to be inviting and engaging. To stand out from the crowd, here’s what you can do:

• Fill in all your information properly: Include your business name, address, phone number, email address, and other essential details.
• Select the correct primary and secondary categories: Ensure your business is categorized accurately to help potential customers find you easily.
• Write a business description: Use relevant keywords researched with a keyword tool to optimize your profile for search engines.
• Add opening hours: Keep your operating hours updated so customers know when you're open.
• Include industry-specific options: For example, restaurants can add menus, hotels can list room prices, or retailers can showcase brands and services offered.
• Connect your social media accounts: Link your social media profiles to engage with customers on multiple platforms.

Learn more in-depth about how to optimize your Google Business Profile for restaurants!

2. Add Your Most Important Attributes

Your Google Business Profile Settings include the option to add attributes. Attributes are special details about a business that can help customers make quick decisions about whether the business could meet their needs. Attributes include for instance:

• Wifi
• Wheelchair Accessibility
• Parking Options
• Payment Methods
• Business Type (e.g. Women Owned)
• Health & Safety Measurements
• Outdoor Seating

The possible attributes that you can choose from depend on the type of business that you have. If you own a restaurant, you cannot choose amenities such as “pool” which would be only an option for the hotel industry.

3. List Your Services and Products / Brands

Depending on your business’s type, you can add special services, products, or brands. For instance, if you are a hairdresser, you could add the haircare brands you use in your salon and the type of haircuts, coloring methods, or special techniques you can provide to your customers. This section compliments the attributes you selected in the previous step and gives your potential customers more and especially quick insights into what your business offers. Make sure you fill in this section with as much detail as possible about what your business can offer!

4. Consider Optimizing Your Opening Hours

Many businesses overlook the importance of optimizing their opening hours. If your hours align with customer needs and cover times when your competitors are closed, your business can rank higher during those hours. For example, if your pharmacy operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, most people may not be able to visit due to work schedules. A competitor with more flexible hours, such as 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM, could capture more traffic and rank higher in search results when you’re closed. Adjusting your hours within local regulations can make a big difference, especially when other strategies aren’t producing the desired results. Proximity is the top ranking factor in local SEO, so taking advantage of flexible hours can greatly increase engagement.

5. Collect Customer Reviews

A Google Business Profile without reviews is unlikely to attract much attention. Collecting reviews should be a top priority! You can encourage this by using QR codes on receipts or flyers or motivating your staff to ask customers for reviews. A simple, polite request like, “May I ask you for a small favor?” after providing a positive experience can significantly increase the likelihood of a review.

While positive reviews are ideal, it’s inevitable that you may encounter a negative review. With Obenan, you can redirect unhappy customers to a private survey, allowing you to gather their feedback without it being published online.

Additionally, reviews from other platforms like Tripadvisor can appear on your Google Business Profile under “Reviews from the web,” showcasing a broader presence and higher credibility.

6. Respond to Customer Reviews

Responding to reviews is crucial for engaging with your customers online. Ignoring reviews can lead to negative feelings - disgruntled customers may feel overlooked, and happy customers might feel undervalued. Additionally, potential clients may see a lack of responses as a sign that you don’t engage with your customers. Responding to reviews, especially within an hour, is ideal.

Using a review management tool like Obenan automates responses, ensuring quick and consistent engagement. This level of activity signals to search engines that your business is legitimate, engaged, and responsive, which can boost your ranking and visibility.

7. Use Google Posts

Google Posts are an excellent way to enhance your Google Business Profile by sharing updates, promotions, or interesting content. You can add a compelling caption and a Call to Action (CTA) link, such as directing users to a webpage, booking form, or offer. This not only increases engagement but can also drive traffic to your website or encourage bookings directly through the profile.

8. Add a Booking Link

Whether you're running a restaurant, gym, or offering personal services like aesthetic treatments, adding a booking link to your Google Business Profile makes it easy for customers to schedule appointments. A direct booking option reduces friction for potential customers, increasing the likelihood they’ll convert into paying clients.

Simply log in to your Google Business Profile, select a booking provider, and enable tracking of appointments made through Google. This direct approach boosts engagement and makes it easier for customers to book without having to navigate through multiple pages.

Following these steps will make your Google Business Profile more engaging and drive higher interaction with potential clients.

Find here the step-for-step guide on how to add a booking link to your Google Business Profile

9. Add Your Website Link

If you have a website, it's essential to promote it wherever possible, including your Google Business Profile and any directories that allow you to do so. Adding your website link to these platforms not only makes it easier for potential customers to learn more about your business, but it also provides valuable backlinks. Backlinks help boost your site's credibility in the eyes of search engines, improving your SEO. Since your Google Business Profile offers limited space to showcase your business, linking to your website gives customers access to more detailed information like services, pricing, and more, all easily accessible through your profile.

10. Add Q&A’s and Respond to Q&A’s

Q&A’s on Google Business Profiles are often overlooked, but they are a powerful tool for engaging with potential customers. Answering user questions helps clarify details about your business and signals to both users and search engines that you're active and attentive. If a question has been answered by another customer, make sure to either confirm or correct the response. Additionally, you can proactively post common questions and provide answers, addressing potential concerns upfront. This approach can remove doubts and make your business more appealing to prospective clients.

Also interesting: Local SEO Consulting: Grow Your Business Revenue

11. Add High-Quality Images That Represent Your Business From All Angles

Images play a crucial role in forming a first impression of your business online. Whether you run a restaurant, hotel, or any other business, high-quality images are essential. For example, restaurants should showcase their food, while hotels should highlight rooms and amenities. Since these images often appear in the map pack, they can influence whether customers choose to engage with your profile or move on to a competitor. If your images are unappealing or of poor quality, users are more likely to skip your profile.

12. Add the Option for Food Ordering (Restaurants Only)

For restaurants, offering a quick and easy way for customers to order food is essential. Add a food ordering option to your Google Business Profile to streamline the process for customers looking for home delivery or takeout. This feature makes it convenient for users to place orders without having to search through your website. Simplifying the ordering process can significantly increase engagement and customer satisfaction, helping your restaurant stand out in local search results.

Learn how to set up the option for food ordering on your Google Business Profile

Why Does Engagement on My Google Business Profile Matter?

Engagement, whether it's a click, review, website visit, or request for directions, directly impacts your conversion rate (except when negative reviews arise from poor service). A well-maintained Google Business Profile naturally attracts more potential customers by increasing your visibility online. Besides making one-time improvements, it’s essential to consistently show search engines and customers that your business is active. You can do this through regular Google Posts, and by responding to reviews and Q&A’s.

Think of it as a cycle: you deliver excellent service and maintain a neat online presence based on your local SEO strategy. The search engine rewards you with better rankings and increased visibility. In turn, more potential customers find your Google Business Profile, drawn by its appealing and active content. This increased engagement - through Google Posts, reviews, and various CTAs - leads to more conversions.

Obenan can help boost your online presence while automating critical local SEO tasks. With our easy-to-use tools and expert support, you can sit back and watch your Google Business Profile thrive in local search results, bringing in a steady stream of new customers!