What Google Business Profile optimization covers
Most profiles we see were filled in once, years ago, and never revisited. Categories are too broad, services are missing, the description talks about the company instead of the work, and half the attributes are blank. Each of those is a signal Google uses to decide which searches you are relevant for.
Optimization means going through every field with one question: does this help Google match you to the searches your customers make, and help a customer choose you once you appear?
- Primary and secondary categories chosen from Google's own category list, checked against the businesses that already rank in your area
- Services and products written in the words customers search with, with a short description for each
- A business description that says what you do, for whom and where, without keyword stuffing
- Attributes, service areas, hours, holiday hours, booking and quote links set correctly
- Logo, cover image and a first set of photos uploaded with descriptive file names
- Name, address and phone checked for consistency with your website and major directories
We start with a map-ranking scan, not a guess
Before we change anything we run a geogrid scan: a grid of points laid over your service area, with a search run from each point for your main keywords. Each point shows where your business ranks in the map pack from that spot. The result is a picture of where you are visible today and where you disappear.
That scan is your baseline. Every change we make is recorded in a change log, and the same grid is scanned again after the work so the before and after are measured the same way.
- 1 to 3
- 4 to 10
- 11 to 20
- Not in top 20
Demonstration data. Your free scan uses your real profile, keyword and area.
Categories do more work than anything else
The primary category is the strongest single relevance signal on a profile. Choosing the wrong one, or a broad one when a specific one exists, can keep you out of searches you should own. We compare your categories with those of the businesses ranking above you and choose the set that best matches the work you want more of.
Secondary categories widen the searches you can appear for, but only where they describe work you actually do. Adding unrelated categories to chase volume tends to dilute relevance, so we keep the list tight.
Done properly, so it lasts
Shortcuts can lift a listing for a few weeks and then cost it everything. We build on what Google rewards long term, so the gains keep stacking up.
- Your real business name, presented well, with relevance coming from categories, services and content
- Reviews from real customers, asked the right way
- Real job photos with descriptive names and captions that help customers choose you
- Accurate details that match how your business really operates
What happens after optimization
A well-optimized profile is a strong start, but it does not stay that way on its own. Google accepts suggested edits from the public, competitors post every week, and new reviews keep arriving. Most businesses move on to our monthly Google Business Profile management so the profile stays accurate, active and measured.