If someone in Vancouver searches for what you offer and your business doesn't show up in the map results, you're essentially invisible to a huge chunk of potential clients. Your Google Business Profile is often the very first thing people see, before your website, before your Instagram, before anything else.
The good news is that most businesses are not managing theirs well, which means there's real opportunity here if you put in a bit of effort.
It sounds obvious, but a surprising number of businesses have incomplete profiles. Make sure every section is filled out: your address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and business category. Google rewards complete profiles with better visibility.
Your business description is also more important than most people realize. Write it in plain language, mention what you do, who you serve, and include your neighbourhood or city. Something like "We're a photography and social media agency serving small businesses across Metro Vancouver, from the North Shore to Surrey" is much better than a generic one-liner.
Google Business Profiles with photos get significantly more clicks and direction requests. Add real photos of your space, your team, your work, and your products. Update them regularly — Google notices fresh content.
If you're a service-based business without a physical location, use photos of your work in action, your results, or your team out on jobs. Anything that helps someone understand what working with you looks like.
Five-star ratings with detailed reviews are one of the strongest local ranking signals Google uses. The best way to get more reviews is simply to ask. After a project wraps, send a quick follow-up message with a direct link to your Google review page.
Responding to every review, including the occasional negative one, also helps. It shows Google and potential clients that you're an active, engaged business owner. Keep your responses short, professional, and genuine.
Most businesses ignore the Google Posts feature, which is a mistake. You can publish short updates, offers, or announcements directly to your Business Profile. These show up in search results and can help you stand out from competitors who aren't using them.
Posting once or twice a month is enough to see a difference. Promote a service, share a recent project, or announce a seasonal offer.
Google Business Profile gives you data on how many people searched for you, how many clicked to your website, and how many asked for directions or called. Check this monthly. If your calls suddenly drop, something may have changed. Maybe a competitor got more reviews, or your hours are showing incorrectly.
Staying on top of your profile takes maybe 20 minutes a month and can make a real difference in how many local clients find you.
We work with Vancouver businesses to create content that actually brings in clients. Let's talk about what that looks like for you.
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