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Listing your business on Google Maps with a free Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) delivers measurable, high-ROI benefits for local visibility, customer acquisition, and building trust with their customer reviews.

It helps you attract customers who are searching, or are ready to make a purchase by prominently displaying your business in local search results and on the map.

Top benefits of a Google Maps listing:

Increased visibility for prospects and local customers 24/7

When users search for a product or service “near me,” a Google Maps listing is your ticket to being seen. The listing places your business directly on the map, and it also puts your company in the “Local Map Pack”—the block of 3 businesses featured at the top of Google search results.

  • Google prioritizes verified local businesses in the Map Pack (top 3 results above organic links).
  • Over 80% of consumers use “near me” searches, therefore being in the Map Pack can drive 2–3× more clicks than organic rankings alone.
  • Studies show 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within 24 hours.
  • Google tracks “Driving Directions” requests in your dashboard — a direct proxy for store visits.

Free and effective advertising

Your Google Business Profile is a free digital storefront that displays key information to thousands of potential customers. In a mobile-first world where people frequently search on the go, being visible on Google Maps can be more effective than traditional ad campaigns.

Builds trust and credibility, with a focus on gaining online reviews

A complete and verified Google Business Profile makes your business appear more legitimate and trustworthy. A profile with many positive reviews acts as social proof, making potential customers more confident in choosing your business over competitors. In fact, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses; a 4+ star rating with responses builds trust quickly.

Boosts website traffic and foot traffic

A well-optimized listing provides a direct link to your website, but it also has a significant impact on in-person visits. Your profile gives customers direct access to:

  • Your physical address and directions
  • Your hours of operation
  • Your phone number for direct calls
  • Photos
  • Menus, etc.

Creates a direct channel for customer engagement

Your Google Business Profile allows you to interact directly with customers by:

  • Managing reviews. You can respond to customer feedback, showing that you value their input.
  • Answering questions. You can use the Q&A feature to provide helpful information.
  • Posting updates. You can share images, news, promotions, or events to keep your profile active and engaging.
  • One-tap call, directions, website visit, or messaging.
  • “Request a Quote” or “Book” buttons (for supported industries) convert searchers into leads instantly.

Provides valuable customer insights and analytics

The Insights section of your profile gives you free analytics on how customers are finding and interacting with your business. This data can help you understand customer behavior and refine your marketing strategy.


Real World Example

A local bakery added fresh daily photos and responded to every review. Within 3 months:

  • +42% direction requests
  • +28% website clicks
  • +19% weekend foot traffic (per Google Insights)

Bottom Line

Not being on Google Maps is leaving money on the table.

A word of advice: All things Google with your business needs to be on ONE google account: Maps, Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Product Feeds, etc.

How to get started

Claim your profile at google.com/business and verify via postcard/phone.

If a profile for your business already exists, simply search for it on Google, click “Own this business,” and follow the verification process. For new businesses, you can add your information from scratch.

Lastly, if you would prefer someone doing this for you and making sure all things are connected properly, and even possible managing it – contact us. We can do this for a very reasonable price.

 

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We will create a STRATEGIC PLAN for your business that will increase your prospects, leads, and sales, and then implement a process to help you keep the customers you have.

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Schedule a 30 minute exploratory phone/zoom call.

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