If you run a business, having a Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the best ways to attract local customers. But just creating a profile isn’t enough—you need to grow your audience to get more visibility, traffic, and sales. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to grow your Google Business Profile audience using proven strategies. Whether you’re new to GBP or want to improve your existing profile, this guide will help you maximize your reach and get more customers.
What Is a Google Business Profile and Why Does It Matter?
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Google Maps. When potential customers search for services or products like yours, a well-optimized GBP increases your chances of appearing at the top of search results.
Why does it matter?
- More Visibility – Your business appears in local searches, attracting more customers.
- Better Engagement – Customers can interact with your business by calling, visiting, or leaving reviews.
- Higher Trust – A well-maintained GBP with good reviews builds credibility.
If you want more local customers, growing your Google Business Profile audience is essential.
How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile the Right Way
Setting up your GBP correctly from the start is crucial. Here’s how to do it the right way:
- Go to the Google Business Profile website and sign in with your Google account.
- Enter your business name (make sure it’s the official name customers recognize).
- Choose the right business category (this helps Google understand your business).
- Enter your location and contact details (address, phone number, website, etc.).
- Verify your business (Google will send a verification code by mail or phone).
Once verified, you can start optimizing your profile to attract more customers.
Fill in All Business Information
Google favors complete and accurate business profiles. A fully optimized GBP increases your chances of appearing in search results and attracting more customers.
Choose the Right Categories
Selecting the right category is one of the most important factors for ranking higher on Google. Choose a primary category that best represents your business, and add secondary categories if they apply.
For example:
- A plumbing company should select “Plumber” as the primary category.
- A bakery that also serves coffee can choose “Bakery” as the primary category and “Coffee Shop” as a secondary category.
Choosing the right categories helps Google match your business with relevant customer searches.
Add High-Quality Photos
Photos make your profile more appealing and increase engagement. Businesses with high-quality photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks than those without photos.
Best photo types to upload:
- Exterior and Interior Photos – Show customers what your business looks like.
- Product and Service Photos – Highlight your best products or services.
- Team Photos – Adding human faces builds trust with customers.
Aim to upload at least 10 high-quality images to improve engagement.
Best Ways to Grow Your Google Business Profile Audience
Now that your profile is set up, it’s time to focus on growing your audience. Here are some proven strategies to get more views, clicks, and customers.
Post Regular Updates
Posting updates on your Google Business Profile keeps your audience engaged and signals to Google that your business is active. You can post about:
- Special promotions or discounts
- Upcoming events or product launches
- Business updates like new services or hours
Google rewards active profiles by showing them more frequently in search results, helping you reach a bigger audience.
Get More Customer Reviews
Customer reviews build trust and improve your local search ranking. Google favors businesses with high ratings and frequent reviews.
How to get more reviews:
- Ask happy customers – After a successful sale, request a review.
- Make it easy – Share a direct link to your Google reviews page.
- Respond to every review – Thank customers for positive reviews and professionally handle negative ones.
A business with dozens of positive reviews will stand out and attract more customers.
Use Google Posts and Offers
Google Posts allow you to share updates, promotions, and news directly on your Google Business Profile. Posts appear in search results, making them a great way to engage with potential customers.
Best types of Google Posts:
- Promotional Offers – Discounts or special deals to attract customers.
- Event Announcements – Let people know about upcoming events.
- New Product Launches – Show off your latest products or services.
Google Posts increase engagement and help grow your audience by keeping your profile active.
The Power of Local SEO for Your Google Business Profile
Local SEO is crucial for growing your Google Business Profile audience. Here’s how to improve it:
- Use location-based keywords (e.g., “best coffee shop in Los Angeles”).
- Get local backlinks (partner with other businesses for mentions).
- Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms.
A strong local SEO strategy ensures your business appears in more local searches, bringing in more customers.
Why Engaging With Customers Grows Your Audience
Engagement plays a big role in how Google ranks your business profile. Businesses that actively interact with customers tend to rank higher and attract more visitors.
Ways to engage with your audience:
- Reply to all reviews (both positive and negative).
- Answer customer questions on your GBP page.
- Use Google Messages to communicate directly with potential customers.
Engagement signals to Google that your business is active and trustworthy, helping you reach a larger audience.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Google Business Profile Growth
Many businesses make avoidable mistakes that limit their GBP growth. Here are the most common ones:
- Incomplete Business Information – Missing details lower your ranking.
- Ignoring Customer Reviews – Not responding can hurt credibility.
- Using Low-Quality Photos – Poor images reduce engagement.
- Not Posting Updates – An inactive profile gets less visibility.
- Choosing the Wrong Business Category – Can prevent your business from appearing in relevant searches.
Avoid these mistakes, and your Google Business Profile audience will grow faster.
Tips to Grow Your Google Business Profile Audience Faster
Want to speed up your GBP growth? Follow these quick tips:
- Encourage customer reviews – The more, the better!
- Post engaging updates – Keep your audience interested.
- Optimize for local SEO – Use location-based keywords.
- Monitor and respond to messages – Show customers you care.
- Promote your GBP on social media – More exposure means more visitors.
The more active and optimized your profile is, the faster your audience will grow.
The Bottom Line
Growing your Google Business Profile audience takes effort, but it’s one of the most effective ways to attract local customers. By optimizing your profile, engaging with customers, and using local SEO strategies, you can increase your visibility and get more traffic.
If you follow the strategies in this guide, your business will stand out in Google Search and Google Maps, helping you grow faster than your competitors. Start optimizing your GBP today and watch your audience grow!
