How to Increase Google Business Profile Traffic (& Why it Matters)

If your business isn't showing up when locals search for products or services like yours, you're missing out on customers who are ready to buy. Enter the Google Business Profile (GBP): your ticket to more visibility, clicks, and foot traffic. But there's a catch. Simply having a profile isn't enough. You need to optimize it properly to increase Google Business Profile traffic and improve local SEO. The strategies we'll cover are designed to help you attract more organic visits to your Google Business Profile and convert them into actual customers.

Let’s break down what it is, why it matters for local SEO, and what you can do today to give your profile the glow-up it deserves—including the critical optimization most local businesses overlook to boost their search visibility and get more traffic.

What Is a Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profiles, also known as Google My Business listings, are essentially your business's front door on Google. It's the google business listing that pops up when people search for your business name, or even just what you do, on Google Search or Google Maps.

It includes your contact information, business hours, reviews, photos, and more. Think of it as a mini-website that shows up when someone is looking for you. Creating a business profile on Google is free, but optimizing it? That's where the magic happens for improving your local rankings.

Why Your Google Business Profile Matters for Local SEO

When it comes to local searches, such as "coffee shop near me" or "HVAC installation in Boise," Google leans heavily on Business Profiles to decide which businesses show up in the coveted "Local Pack" (also known as the "Google 3-pack" or "map pack rankings"). These are the top three listings displayed prominently with the map before the regular organic search results.

Here's why it matters for your search engine rankings and local search results:

• Higher online visibility: More eyeballs on your business means more calls, clicks, and visits.

• Better ad performance: Verified profiles make your Google Ads more trustworthy and click-worthy.

• AI-powered search results: As Google’s AI Overview becomes more integrated into search, optimized Business Profiles are more likely to be highlighted in google search results.

"Near me" searches have exploded in recent years, with Google reporting a 900% increase in mobile searches including "near me today/tonight." When someone searches for "coffee shop near me" or "emergency plumber near me," Google relies heavily on Business Profiles to determine which local businesses to display.

A well-optimized GBP significantly increases your chances of appearing in these high-intent searches. The key is ensuring your profile clearly communicates what you offer and where you're located, so Google can confidently match you with relevant "near me" queries in your service area.

In short? A well-optimized profile boosts your local SEO, helping you attract more visitors to your Google Business Profile without increasing your ad spend, ultimately driving more website traffic and improving your online reputation.

Common Mistakes That Tank Your Profile Traffic

Even the best businesses can have underperforming profiles. Our analysis of thousands of Google Business Profiles revealed several critical issues that limit visibility:

The Overlooked Opportunity: Strategic Business Descriptions

Most local businesses miss this powerful optimization. While owners often focus on collecting customer reviews or uploading business photos, they rarely maximize their business description's potential as a ranking factor for profile completion.

When we compared high-performing versus struggling profiles, we found a clear pattern: businesses dominating local search use descriptions with specific, actionable information, while others rely on vague generalities like:

"We're a trusted local company dedicated to excellence. Contact us today for the best service in town."

This generic text gives Google virtually no information about:

1. What you actually offer (using terms customers search for)
2. Where you serve customers (your main city and nearby areas)
3. Why choose your business (your unique advantages)

Without these specific signals, Google struggles to match your business with relevant local searches, significantly limiting your search visibility.

Other Critical Profile Mistakes:

• Incomplete information: Missing business hours, categories, or services that leave potential customers guessing
• Poor visual content: Few or low-quality photos when customers want to see what they're getting
• Neglected reviews: Failing to respond to customer feedback, which hurts trust signals and customer engagement
• Inconsistent information: Different contact information across various online directories, confusing both Google and customers

Addressing these issues, especially creating a strategic business description, can dramatically improve your profile's performance with minimal effort and boost your business profile engagement.

How to Increase Google Business Profile Traffic

If you're serious about getting more clicks, calls, and customers from your Google Business Profile, think of it as a living, breathing part of your marketing strategy, not a "set it and forget it" listing. Here's how to boost your visibility and improve local SEO through effective business profile management and profile optimization:

1. Create a Strategic, Location-Specific Business Description

Your business description is prime real estate for keywords and location information. Use this space to clearly state what you offer, where you serve, and what makes you unique. Include your primary city and nearby areas you serve to boost your chances of appearing in "near me" searches for local customers.

Key Elements to Include:

• Business Type/Primary Service: Clearly state what your business does using industry-specific terminology
• Primary Location: Mention your main city or service area
• Specializations: Highlight your core services or products using terms customers actually search for
• Secondary Locations: Name 2-3 specific neighboring communities you serve
• Unique Value Proposition: Add what sets you apart (experience, guarantees, certifications)
• Special Offerings: Include any notable features like "24/7 availability" or "same-day service"

When crafting your description, focus on weaving these elements together naturally rather than following a rigid template. The goal is to provide Google with clear signals about what you do and where you do it, while maintaining readability for potential customers.

Industry Examples:

Powersports Dealer:

“Premium motorcycle and ATV dealership in Milwaukee specializing in Harley-Davidson, Honda, and Yamaha sales and service. Proudly serving Waukesha, Brookfield, and Wauwatosa with the region’s largest selection of parts and accessories. Factory-certified technicians and financing options available.”

HVAC Contractor:

“Licensed heating and cooling contractors in Phoenix specializing in energy-efficient system installations and emergency repairs. Proudly serving Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa with 24/7 service and upfront pricing. NATE-certified technicians and 100% satisfaction guarantee on all work.”

This approach to description optimization has helped businesses significantly expand their local visibility. One of our customers, a roofing contractor using PowerChord's listings management platform, climbed to second position in the Google map pack just days after implementing this strategic description approach. Through our centralized listings management system, we were able to update their business description across multiple directories while maintaining perfect consistency—a key factor in their rapid ranking improvement.

2. Optimize Your Business Categories and Attributes

Choose the most accurate primary category for your business, and add relevant secondary categories. Google uses these to understand what you offer and match you with relevant searches. Additionally, fill out all applicable business attributes to provide more detailed information about your services, amenities, and unique features.

3. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos

Visual content is crucial for attracting attention and giving customers a sense of what to expect. Regularly update your profile with professional-quality photos of your products, services, and premises. Consider adding virtual tours or short videos to stand out even more.

4. Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews

Google reviews play a crucial role in your profile's visibility and credibility. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, and always respond promptly to both positive and negative feedback. This engagement shows potential customers that you value their opinions and are actively managing your online presence.

5. Use Google Posts to Showcase Updates and Offers

Regular Google posts keep your profile fresh and engaging. Share updates, events, or special offers to give potential customers more reasons to choose your business. This feature is often underutilized but can significantly boost profile engagement.

6. Ensure Consistent Listings Across the Web

When your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) match exactly across Google, Yelp, Facebook, and industry directories, Google gains confidence in your legitimacy. Inconsistent listings are a major reason why many businesses struggle to rank in local searches.

If your business operates multiple locations, proper Google Business Profile management becomes even more critical—and complex. Each location needs its own optimized GBP with unique descriptions tailored to that specific area.

The key challenges for multi-location businesses include:

• Maintaining consistent brand messaging while customizing each profile for its local area
• Preventing duplicate content issues across location descriptions
• Managing reviews separately for each location while ensuring all receive attention
• Tracking performance metrics across multiple profiles to identify location-specific opportunities

With PowerChord's listing management platform, multi-location businesses can manage all their profiles from a centralized dashboard, ensuring brand consistency while allowing for the critical local customizations that drive visibility in each service area.

7. Utilize Google Insights for Performance Tracking

Take advantage of Google Insights to understand how customers find and interact with your profile. Use this data to refine your optimization strategy and focus on what's working best for attracting local customers.

By implementing these strategies and focusing on comprehensive profile optimization, you can significantly increase your Google Business Profile traffic and improve your local search performance. Remember, effective business profile management is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and updates to maintain and improve your visibility in local search results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Business Profiles

Does my Google Business Profile help SEO?
Yes! A complete, optimized Google Business Profile can significantly improve your local search rankings, helping your business appear in the “Local Pack” and on Google Maps when potential customers search for your products or services.

How do I increase my Google traffic?
Regularly update your profile with accurate information, high-quality photos, keyword-rich descriptions, and fresh Google Posts. Encourage reviews, respond promptly, and use analytics to refine your strategy. Ensure your business information is consistent across all online directories.

How do I see Google Business Profile analytics?
Log into your Google Business Profile dashboard and open the “Insights” tab. Here, you can see how customers are finding your profile, what actions they’re taking, and which searches are driving traffic.

What makes a good Google Business Profile description?
An effective description clearly states your services, locations served, and key offerings using relevant keywords. Avoid generic phrases like “quality service” and instead use specific terms like “emergency plumbing repairs in [City] serving [nearby areas].”

How many photos should I have on my Google Business Profile?
Businesses with 10+ high-quality photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website than those with few or no images. Upload photos of your storefront, products, team, and satisfied customers (with permission).

How often should I post updates on my Google Business Profile?
For optimal visibility, post at least weekly. Google Posts remain visible for seven days, so maintaining a consistent posting schedule ensures fresh content appears on your profile at all times.

Why isn’t my business showing up in the Google Maps 3-pack?
The most common reasons include: poor GBP description, inconsistent NAP information across the web, limited or negative reviews, inappropriate business categories, or strong local competition. A comprehensive listing audit can identify your specific issues.

How do I add products or services to my Google Business Profile?
Log into your GBP dashboard, select “Services” or “Products” from the menu, and add individual items with descriptions, prices (if applicable), and photos. Categorize them appropriately and use relevant keywords in the descriptions for better visibility.

What directories besides Google should I maintain for local SEO?
Beyond Google, prioritize Bing Places, Apple Maps, Yelp, Facebook, Yellow Pages, Better Business Bureau, and industry-specific directories relevant to your business. PowerChord’s listing management service distributes your information to 50+ directories while maintaining consistency.

How do I measure the ROI of my Google Business Profile optimization?
Track metrics including profile views, website clicks, direction requests, phone calls, and message inquiries through Google’s insights dashboard. For more comprehensive tracking, implement call tracking and UTM parameters on your website links.

Is it worth paying for Google Business Profile management services?
For businesses serving local customers, professional GBP management delivers substantial ROI. Most businesses lack the time and expertise to maintain consistent listings across dozens of platforms, craft effective descriptions, respond to reviews promptly, and track performance—all critical components of local search success.