Over 90% of consumers use Google to find local businesses — but if you don’t show up, you don’t get chosen.
In today’s digital-first world, being searchable isn’t optional—it’s survival. Whether you run a bakery, a fitness studio, a law firm, or a plumbing service, if people can’t find you when they search “near me,” you’re losing business daily.
That’s where Google My Business (now officially called Google Business Profile) becomes your most valuable free marketing tool.
If you’re a local business looking to grow your visibility, trust, and revenue without burning through ad spend—this post is for you.
What Is Google My Business?
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that allows local businesses to manage how they appear on Google Search and Maps.
When someone searches for your business—or a business like yours—your GMB profile shows up with:
- Your business name, location, and contact info
- Reviews and star ratings
- Photos
- Services or products
- Website and booking links
- And even real-time updates like promotions or new hours
Essentially, it’s your digital storefront on the world’s biggest search engine—and it works 24/7.
Why It Matters for Local Businesses
Let’s break down exactly why having (and optimizing) a Google My Business profile is a game-changer for your local brand.
1. You Show Up on Google Maps
More than 80% of local mobile searches result in an offline action—like visiting a store or making a call.
If you don’t have a proper listing on Google Maps, thousands of nearby customers will essentially ignore your business.
Having a GMB profile allows your business to be featured in the Google Local Pack—those top 3 listings that appear right below the map when someone searches something like “coffee shop near me” or “best dentist in [city].”
Getting into that pack means traffic, trust, and transactions.
2. It Boosts Your Local SEO
Google uses the information in your profile to determine whether your business is relevant for a user’s query. That includes:
- Your chosen categories
- Your business description
- The keywords in reviews
- Consistency of your business name, address, and phone (NAP)
A well-optimized GMB profile tells Google, “We’re legit, we’re local, and we’re active” — giving you better chances of ranking higher than your competitors.
3. Direct Customer Actions
Unlike a traditional website, GMB is built to get people to take action fast. Users can:
- Click-to-call
- Get turn-by-turn directions
- Visit your website
- Book an appointment or reserve a table
- Ask questions
- View menus or services
The less friction between “finding you” and “buying from you,” the higher your conversion rate.
4. Reviews Build Trust
Social proof sells.
Over 70% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations—and Google reviews are the most visible of all.
A strong GMB presence with genuine 5-star reviews gives your business instant credibility. It also helps influence Google’s ranking algorithm.
Responding to reviews (both good and bad) shows you’re engaged and care about your customers — building brand loyalty in the process.
5. You Can Post Offers, Updates, and Events
Think of GMB as your free, local content feed.
You can post:
- Special promotions
- Seasonal offers
- Blog links
- Event announcements
- New product launches
- COVID-19 or holiday hour updates
These posts appear directly in your profile and can drive extra clicks, calls, and walk-ins.
6. You Get Access to Valuable Insights
GMB includes analytics that show you:
- How many people found your business
- What keywords they searched
- How many called you directly
- Where they’re located
- What actions they took on your profile
This data helps you refine your marketing, better understand your audience, and allocate budget more effectively — even if you never run an ad.
Real-World Impact
Let’s put it in perspective.
A local cleaning service claimed their Google My Business profile, optimized their photos and description, and started getting reviews from happy clients. Within two months, over 60% of their new leads came directly from their GMB profile.
A family-owned pizzeria updated their GMB weekly with new photos and promotions. Their listing began ranking #1 for “pizza near me,” leading to a 30% increase in dine-in traffic without spending a dollar on ads.
This isn’t theory. It’s happening daily.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you already have a GMB profile, that’s great—but don’t set it and forget it.
Here are common mistakes that cost businesses visibility:
- Not claiming or verifying your listing
- Outdated contact info or hours
- No photos (or poor-quality ones)
- Not replying to reviews
- Ignoring the “Posts” feature
- Using the wrong business category
Every detail counts. Think of your GMB profile as digital real estate — and your job is to make it clean, compelling, and conversion-friendly.
If you run a local business and aren’t leveraging Google My Business, you’re leaving money — and visibility — on the table.
In a world where trust, convenience, and relevance win, your GMB profile is the quickest path to all three.
Talk to a Digital Marketing Expert
At Create The Movement, we specialize in helping local businesses show up where it matters most.
Whether you need help setting up your GMB from scratch or want to fully optimize your profile for visibility and conversions, our team is ready to build your online presence like the pros.
Ready to attract more customers, generate more reviews, and grow your local brand?
Visit our website to schedule a free consultation today.
