How to Use Google My Business to Attract Local Customers

If you run a local business, visibility is everything. The tough truth? People don’t hunt through directories anymore. They open Google, type “best café near me” or “emergency plumber nearby,” and pick one of the first names that pop up.how to use Google My Business for local business

That’s why Google My Business (GMB) is such a game-changer. It’s free, simple enough to set up, and when used properly, it puts you right in front of people the moment they’re ready to buy. optimize Google My Business profile for local customers

So, What Is Google My Business?

Think of GMB as your online shopfront that lives inside Google Search and Google Maps. When someone looks up your business, they don’t just see a name, they see your opening hours, phone number, photos, reviews, and even updates you post.

The best part? It shows up right when customers are deciding where to spend their money. And let’s be honest  most of us pick the business with decent reviews and clear info over the one with no photo and missing details.

Why Local Businesses Can’t Ignore It

Here’s the kicker: around 70% of people who search for a local business on their phone end up visiting within a day. That’s foot traffic you don’t want to miss.

Google decides who gets shown in the top results (the “Local Pack”) based on:

• Relevance → are you what they’re looking for?

• Proximity → are you nearby?

• Prominence → do people know, like, and trust you (reviews, popularity, consistency)?

You can’t control how close someone is to you  but you can make sure your profile looks trustworthy and complete.

Getting Your Profile Right

A half-baked profile is worse than none. Here’s what to do:

• Claim your listing → search for your business and claim it, or create a new one. Then verify (yes, Google might still send you that little postcard).

• Check your details → your name, address, and phone number should match exactly everywhere online. Don’t write “&” in one place and “and” in another.

• Pick the right category → don’t just pick “Shop” if you’re a florist. Be specific.

• Add photos (lots of them) → real photos matter. If you’re a café, show your food, not just your logo. If you’re a plumber, show your team, van, or before-and-after jobs.

And please  keep your hours updated. Few things annoy customers more than driving over only to find you closed.

Using GMB Beyond the Basics

Most business owners set up their profile and forget it. That’s like opening a shop and never changing the window display.

Here’s how to keep it alive:

• Post updates → specials, new services, events  whatever’s happening. Even one post a week helps.

• Reply to reviews → the good and the bad. A quick “thank you” works wonders. For negatives, stay calm and professional. Future customers notice how you handle it.

• Turn on messaging → people can text you directly from your listing. Just make sure someone actually replies.

• List products/services → spell out what you do. Don’t just say “cleaning services”  mention “carpet cleaning,” “end-of-lease cleans,” etc.

Watching What Works

One of the most underrated parts of GMB is its insights. You can actually see what people typed to find you, how many clicked “call,” or how many asked for directions.

Pay attention to that. If lots of people are finding you through “kids dance classes near me,” make sure your posts, photos, and description lean into that. It’s free market research.

And don’t just chase views. Track whether more calls or visits come through after you update your profile regularly. That's the real test of whether it’s working.

Final Thought

Here’s the thing: Google My Business isn’t about fancy SEO tricks. It’s about making it easy for people in your area to find you and trust you.

So if your profile has a blurry photo from five years ago and hours that haven’t been updated since before the pandemic, fix it. Spent an hour this week cleaning it up. Upload a few photos, respond to a review, and post a quick update.

Those little changes? They can be the difference between being invisible and being the first choice when someone nearby is ready to buy.