How to optimize your Google Business Profile to get new clients [Step-By-Step Guide]

You're ready to grow your clientele, but how will potential clients find you?

Potential customers in your area are searching online to find local businesses like yours. As a service-based business, a Google Business Profile (GBP) is an absolute must-have. It's a free and easy way to ensure your business shows up in Google Search and Maps results, putting you directly in front of local customers searching for the services you offer.

Here's why a Google Business Profile is essential for your local service business:

• Increased visibility: When someone searches for services like yours in their area, your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing can appear at the top of Google Search results and Maps. This prime placement significantly increases the chances of potential customers finding your business.
• Free marketing: Claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile is completely free. It's a fantastic way to generate leads and attract new customers without breaking the bank.
• Earn credibility and trust: A verified Google Business Profile listing displays vital information about your business, including your address, phone number, photos, website, and customer reviews. This builds trust and establishes your legitimacy with potential clients searching for your services. Your Booksy’s review rating will also display on your Google profile.
• Engage with customers: Your Google Business Profile allows you to interact directly with customers. You can respond to reviews, answer questions, and even post updates about your business.

Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile to improve your Google ranking and get discovered by more clients in your area. It's free marketing that can help your business get discovered by new clients.

What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is a free marketing tool offered by Google which helps small businesses manage how they appear on the search engine. There are three key places where your business can show up in local search results: Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Assistant. When someone looks for a particular service, Google will suggest a list of relevant business and service providers close by.

For example, if someone searches for a business type followed by a zip code — e.g., “barbershop 60622” or "nail salon near me" on Google or Google Maps, the search engine will serve up a list of barbers in the vicinity.

You want your business to show up in those results!

A business’ Google listing has all the details a potential customer would need to help them decide whether they want to book an appointment.

Why is this so important? Simply put: Google can deliver more eyeballs — and traffic — to your business. That's more bookings and more clients coming through your door.

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Ready to set up your Google Business Profile? Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Create an account: Head over to Google My Business and sign in with your Google account. If you don't have one, creating one is quick and free.
2. Create your listing: Enter your business name. Google may suggest an existing listing if one is already available. If it's yours, claim it! Otherwise, proceed to create a new listing.
3. Add your business address: Ensure the business and address exactly matches how it appears on your website, Booksy Profile, and other marketing materials. This is key in making sure your Google Profile can get verified and properly matched with your website or Booksy Profile.
4. Choose your business category: Select the main category that best describes your services - pick the most specific category that is relevant to the services you provide. You can also select secondary categories if you offer other types of services.
5. Verify your listing: Select your preferred method (phone, text, email, or video) and follow the instructions provided.‍
6. Set up your booking button: In your Booksy Biz account, navigate to Online Booking > Reserve with Google > Enable Reserve with Google. Your Book Online or Schedule button should appear on your Google Business Profile within 72 hours.

How to improve your local ranking on Google

Once your profile is set up, take some time to optimize your Google Business Profile it so it shows up higher in local search results.

You want a competitive profile that shows up in local results, grabs people’s attention when they see you in search results.

Here's how to get your business seen by more clients:

• Add high-quality photos and videos: Showcase your business, staff, and the services you offer with visually appealing content. According to Synup, listings with photos are twice as likely to be considered “reputable” than those without.
• Write a compelling business description: Briefly explain what your business does and what makes you unique. Use keywords relevant to your services.
• ‍Encourage customer reviews: Positive reviews build trust and attract new clients. Clients are much more likely to book with a new provider if they have an established Business Profile with plenty of reviews. Ask happy customers to leave a review on your Google Business Profile listing to improve your SEO, establish a positive reputation, and drive more bookings.
• Respond to reviews: Respond to reviews, even the negative ones - it shows potential clients that you care about your customer experience, and the engagement improves your SEO.
• Set up Reserve with Google: Customers searching on Google have a high intent to book, so it's important make it easy for them to view your availability and book with you right from their search result. Reserve with Google (RwG) allows customers to book appointments directly through a Google Business Profile listing with a “Schedule” or “Book Online” button.
  
  ** If you’re a Booksy user, you can connect your account by simply claiming or creating you Google Business Profile, and enabling the Reserve with Google integration in your Booksy Biz account. Be sure all of your business details are the exact same so that your accounts can be matched.
• Use Google Posts: Sharing announcements, offers, events, and products via Google Posts keeps your profile active and helps customer engagement.
• Keep it active: Consistent activity on your Google Business Profile signals to Google to rank your business higher and show you in search results. Be sure to keep it fresh by adding new photos, responding to reviews, or posting business updates.

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Free marketing for your beauty business

Setting up a Google Business Profile is free and easy - and the rewards for your business are huge. Putting in a little extra effort into optimizing your profile and setting up Reserve with Google can set your business apart from average or incomplete listings — and quite literally put you on the map!

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Get more new clients and drive more bookings with Reserve with Google and Booksy

Your Google Business Profile helps you get discovered by new clients near you. Your Booksy + Reserve with Google integration get you booked by those clients.

Turn search result views into new bookings by connecting your Google Business Profile and Booksy Account. Reserve with Google allows you to take bookings directly from Google Search or Google Maps.

Setting it up is easy, and the feature is included in your Booksy subscription. In your Booksy Biz account, head to Settings > Online Booking > Reserve with Google to enable the integration. You should see your booking button appear on your Google Business Profile within 72 hours.

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