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Google Business FAQs
Table of contents
Understanding Google's Guidelines for Practitioners
Key Strategic Options for Multi-Location Practitioners
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile(s) for Maximum Impact
In Recap
Miguel Costa
2025-01-29
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Are you a healthcare provider, lawyer, real estate agent, or other professional practitioner working at multiple locations? Managing your Google Business Profile (GBP) effectively can be challenging when you serve clients across different offices. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile presence for multiple locations in 2025.
Before diving into specific strategies, it's crucial to understand Google's official guidelines for practitioners:
A practitioner is defined as a public-facing professional who provides services directly to clients. This includes doctors, dentists, lawyers, financial planners, and real estate agents. Google allows practitioners to have their own Business Profile separate from their practice, provided they follow specific rules.
This strategy involves creating separate GBP listings for each location where you practice. This approach is ideal when:
Implementation Steps:
Pros: Provides a more precise representation of each location and enables location-specific marketing strategies.
Cons: Demands additional time and effort to manage and optimize multiple profiles.
Pro Tip: Ensure each profile clearly indicates your relationship with the primary practice at that location.
This approach works best when:
Implementation Steps:
Pros: Simplifies management and ensures a cohesive online presence.
Cons: Might not work well if the locations provide distinctly different services or have unique branding.
For practitioners with unique situations, such as:
Implementation Steps:
Pros: Maintains a single profile while differentiating service offerings. Can be a good middle ground for businesses with overlapping customer bases.
Cons: Less distinction between locations compared to having separate GBPs.
Whether you’re managing a single Google Business Profile (GBP) with service areas or maintaining separate profiles for each, proper optimization is essential to boost visibility, attract clients, and enhance your professional image. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your profiles are set up for success.
Your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) must be identical across all online platforms, including your website, social media, and third-party directories. Any discrepancies can confuse clients and negatively impact your search rankings. Fill out every section of your GBP, leaving no detail incomplete. Include high-quality photos and videos showcasing your locations, staff, services, and even client testimonials if possible. Write detailed, engaging descriptions that highlight your unique expertise and the services you offer. Use this opportunity to differentiate yourself from competitors by showcasing your unique selling points.
Simplify the appointment process by integrating an online booking system with your GBP. This convenience can boost client satisfaction and streamline operations. Respond to all reviews, whether they’re positive or negative. Thank clients for positive feedback and address concerns in negative reviews with professionalism. Active engagement demonstrates your commitment to client satisfaction and builds trust.
Use consistent branding across all locations, including logos, color schemes, and messaging. This reinforces your professional identity and ensures clients recognize your brand no matter which location they visit. Your website should mirror the information on your GBP. Clearly display both locations with their respective contact details, operating hours, and services. Include direct links between your website and your Google profiles for seamless navigation.
Not a practitioner but still managing multiple locations as for instance a restaurant or hotel chain?
Duplicate listingsfor the same location or practitioner can trigger penalties from Google, such as profile suspension or removal. If managing multiple locations, ensure each profile is distinct and accurately represents the specific location. Stay up-to-date with Google’s rules to avoid mistakes that could lead to penalties. For example, only create profiles for locations where you have a physical presence and actively meet clients.
Successfully managing Google Business Profiles for practitioners at multiple locations requires a strategic approach, consistent maintenance, and attention to detail. By following this comprehensive guide, you'll be well-equipped to maintain an optimized online presence that accurately represents your practice across all locations while maximizing visibility and patient/client acquisition opportunities.
Remember to regularly review Google's guidelines, as they frequently update their policies for business profiles. Stay informed about local SEO best practices and consistently monitor your profiles' performance to ensure continued success in your multi-location practice management.