Previously known as Google My Business, Google Business Profile is a free tool that allows restaurants and other businesses to populate a listing with their business name, address, hours, and more to appear on Google Maps and other Google platforms. For restaurants looking to optimize their local SEO, Google Business Profile can play a critical part in a well-rounded SEO strategy.
To create a Google Business Profile for your restaurant, you simply have to claim your business, which you can do by searching for it on Google Maps or Google Search and clicking on the prompt to claim it. Once you do that, you can update the Business Profile with information about your restaurant. But how can you make sure that your Google Business Profile is the best it can be? Let’s go over some tips on how to optimize your restaurant’s Profile.
Make Sure Your Information is Accurate
Perhaps this goes without saying, but ensure that the information on your Google Business Profile is accurate and up to date. Obviously, when setting up your Business Profile, you can ensure that everything is correct, but sometimes things change. Maybe you start closing an hour later on Mondays, or your menu changes slightly. As time goes on, you need to make sure that you’re regularly checking your Business Profile to ensure that all these little changes are reflected to your customers.
Update Information During the Holidays
Having accurate information on your Business Profile is especially important during the holidays. For example, are you open on Thanksgiving Day? Are you closing early? Either way, be sure to update your holiday hours to reflect those changes. Otherwise, Google will add a red message underneath your operating times that says “Thanksgiving Day might affect these hours”. That can cause uncertainty for customers, who may choose to dine somewhere else that they know is open. However, if you do update your hours, Google will provide a green “Holiday hours” message that will reassure customers that your hours are indeed correct.
Add Photos to Your Business Profile
Pictures are a great way to capture attention and make your restaurant stand out from the rest. But more importantly, it provides new customers with information about your restaurant’s ambiance, and the food you serve. When customers are eyeing a particular establishment, photos of that restaurant can help them determine how nice they should dress for the occasion, or whether it has certain seating. And of course, photos of the food help set people’s expectations appropriately. Are you known for your decorative plating arrangements? Show off your most beautiful menu items! Do you create inimitable fusion dishes? Share the most unique creations your restaurant has to offer.
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We hope these tips helped you understand how you can take your restaurant’s Google Business Profile to the next level. Interested in learning more about our services? Contact Relevance Advisors today!
