Quick answer: To get more visitors from your Google Business Profile, complete every section with accurate details, choose the right primary category, add real photos, collect genuine reviews and reply to them, keep hours and contact details current, post updates, and check the performance numbers in your profile. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence, and that you cannot pay for a better local ranking, so the work is about accuracy and activity, not tricks.
Last reviewed October 21, 2026.
I rewrote this post to remove statistics I could not source and padding that added nothing. Below are eight steps that follow Google’s own guidance, in the order I would do them.
How Google ranks local results
According to Google’s help page on local ranking, results are mainly based on three things: relevance (how well your profile matches the search), distance (how far you are from the person searching) and prominence (how well known your business is). You cannot change distance, but you can improve the other two.
1. Complete your profile with accurate information
Google says businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to show up in local results. Fill in your name, address or service area, phone number, website, hours, description and attributes. Use the same name, address and phone number everywhere online so nothing conflicts.
2. Choose the right categories
Pick the primary category that best describes your main business, then add secondary categories only if they truly apply. Categories tell Google what you are relevant for, so being specific beats being broad.
3. Add real photos and videos
Upload clear photos of your storefront, inside, products, services and team. Google says photos and videos help show what you offer; it does not say they raise your ranking, so treat them as a way to help people decide to visit. Avoid stock images that misrepresent your business.
4. Collect genuine reviews and reply to them
Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. Ask happy customers to review you, for example with a short link after a purchase. Do not buy reviews or offer rewards for positive ones. Reply to every review in a calm, polite tone. For a negative one, acknowledge the problem, offer to fix it, and move the conversation offline.
5. Keep hours and details up to date
Update special hours for holidays and any change of address or phone number straight away. Wrong opening hours send visitors to a closed door, and that costs trust.
6. Write a clear description
Describe what you do, who you serve and where, in natural language. Mention your area once or twice where it fits. Do not stuff keywords, and do not add extra words to your business name; your name should match how you appear in real life.
7. Post updates and use the available features
Share offers, events and news using the profile’s post and product or service sections, and turn on options such as messaging or booking if they are available for your business type. Features differ by country and category, so check what your profile offers.
8. Track performance and link it to your website
Your profile shows how people find you and what they do next, such as calls, direction requests and website clicks. Use the website link with UTM parameters if you want those visits separated in analytics. Also make sure the page you link to is useful: it should load fast, work on mobile and match the service people searched for. If you need help building that page, my guide on starting a blog shows how to set up a simple site.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying reviews or asking friends to leave fake ones.
- Listing a virtual office or a fake address as a storefront.
- Adding keywords to the business name.
- Ignoring reviews, especially negative ones.
- Paying anyone who promises a guaranteed top spot. Google says there is no way to pay for a better local ranking.
FAQs
Is Google Business Profile free?
Creating and managing a profile is free. Paying Google does not improve your local ranking.
How long until I see more visitors?
There is no fixed timeline. Changes to information can show quickly, while reviews and prominence build over weeks and months.
Do I need a website?
It is not strictly required, but a useful website gives people somewhere to go after they find your profile and helps Google understand your business.
Should I reply to every review?
Yes, where you can. Google says positive reviews and helpful replies help your business stand out.