How To Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Here Are a Few Tips on how to Improve Your Local Visibility with a Stronger Google Business Profile
We are on a mission to provide our clients (and subscribers) with practical, high-impact improvements you can make to attract more leads, improve visibility, and build trust online.
Today’s focus is one of the most underrated (but powerful) tools you already have, your Google Business Profile.
Why your Google Business Profile matters
What Google looks for when ranking your profile
Quick Wins You Can Action Today
How To Get More Google Business Profile Reviews
Why your Google Business Profile matters
A fully optimised profile helps you:
- Rank higher in local search + Google Maps
- Build credibility and trust
- Drive more calls, website clicks, and direction requests
- Stand out next to competing businesses
What Google looks for when ranking your profile
-
Relevance
How well your profile matches what users are searching for.
→ Ensure your categories, services, description, and details are complete and keyword-rich (make sure it is natural and not forced or you will be penalised). -
Distance
How close your business is to the potential customer.
→ Not adjustable, but ensure your address and service areas are correctly defined. -
Prominence
How established and active your business appears online.
→ Influenced by:
-
- Reviews + responses
- Fresh photos
- Profile completeness
- Website authority
- Citations from other sites
- Consistent business details across the web
- Regular GBP posts (yes, Google rewards activity)
How iDigital Helps
(if you are with us for SEO/GEO Service)
- Check NAP Consistency across directories (name, address, and phone number).
- Update Listings where needed.
- Add to Trusted Directories with accurate info.
- Ensure Google has the “Master Version” of your details.
- Post Regular Updates to maintain activity.
- Improve The SEO of Your Website another factor in GBP rankings
We handle heavier optimisation and ongoing management.
Quick Wins You Can Action Today
- Add new photos.
- Ask customers for fresh reviews.
- Ensure service list is complete.
- Double-check hours, description, categories.
- Reply to ALL reviews (even positive).
How To Get More Google Business Profile Reviews
Reviews are one of the strongest signals Google uses to decide which businesses appear at the top of Maps and they also dramatically increase trust and conversions. The good news? With the right approach, you can steadily grow your review count every month.
First Step: Get Your Google Profile Review Link
Don’t just copy the link of your profile, get the review link! This will open the review form instantly for your customer.
- Sign in to the Google account that manages your business.
- In Google Search, type your business name exactly as it appears on your Google Business Profile
- You’ll see a special “Your business on Google” panel.
- Click “Ask for reviews” (sometimes shown as “Get more reviews”).
- A pop-up will appear with your review link.
- Click Copy link.
Next Step: Get That Link Out There!
What good is a link if your customer doesn’t have it? Here are a few tips on getting your link out there.
- Ask at the right moment
The best time to ask is right after a great interaction, when the customer is happy, grateful, or has just complimented your service. A simple, genuine request in that moment dramatically increases the chance they’ll leave a review. - Make it easier
Most people won’t go searching for your profile, so make the process effortless. Share your direct review link in emails, SMS, follow-up messages, or even on a small QR code card. The fewer clicks, the more reviews you’ll get. - Incentivise your team
Your staff are your best review drivers. Encourage them to ask consistently, maybe even run a fun internal competition or shout a box of beers to the team member who gets the most mentions. A quick script will help them remember. - Don’t incentivise reviews
Google prohibits offering discounts or rewards in exchange for reviews. However, you can thank a customer for choosing your business with something small, like a chocolate, and have a review card or QR code conveniently nearby if they’d like to share their experience. - Filter Your Reviews
Send your users to a page where they can give you a rating out of 5. If the user responds with fewer than 5 stars, you can send them to a contact form to further explain their grievances and give your company a chance to rectify the issue. If the user gives you 5 stars, great! You can send this user to your Google Business Profile to give you a review here.
If you would like us to create a review filter page for your business, please get in touch.
We hope this article has shared some practical tips to strengthen your digital presence. If you ever need a hand putting them into action, just reach out, we’re here to help.
The 8 Biggest Google Business Profile Ranking Factors
1. Proximity to Searcher – 22/100
The #1 overall factor in most cases.
Google heavily favours businesses closer to the user, especially on mobile.
2. Review Signals – 17/100
Reviews play a huge role in Maps ranking AND click-through rate.
3. Primary Category – 15/100
A very big factor.
Choosing the wrong primary category can tank rankings instantly.
4. GBP Optimisation (On-Profile Content) – 12/100
Google looks for activity + completeness.
5. Website Authority & Local Landing Page Quality – 12/100
Your website strengthens GBP.
6. Keywords in Business Title – 10/100
If the business name naturally contains the keywords, rankings jump significantly.
(Adding keywords artificially can cause suspensions.)
7. NAP Consistency & Citations – 7/100
This is where your “directory consistency” work fits in.
8. Behavioural Signals – 5/100
User interactions measured by Google.
Would you like your own review filter page?
If you would like your own review filter page on your website, or you would like to have a chat about how iDigital can help you with your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) or Generative Engine Optimisation (GE0 – helping you appear on AI platforms) Call or email us today!
