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

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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:

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!

Booksy Barbershops with Reserve with Google booking integration

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.

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:

Booksy Nail Salon's Google Business Profile with Reserve with Google Integration

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!

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.

Try Booksy and check how the online appointment calendar works