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By Ruchi Pardal
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~ 11 minutes read
~ 11 minutes read
When someone searches for your business on Google, what’s the first thing they see? More often than not, your Google My Business – GMB (now Google Business Profile) profile comes with your location, contact details, reviews, and photos. That single piece of information can say much about your business before a customer clicks on your website.
But here’s something many business owners overlook: a “GBP listing” which can be so much more than just a digital business card. If used the right way, it becomes a powerful tool for driving real traffic, building trust, and boosting visibility in local searches.
Think about your habits for a moment. How often do you rely on those listings to find a nearby store, book a service, or check reviews before deciding? Chances are, pretty often. Now flip that perspective—how often is your business showing up and standing out when someone else is doing that same search?
According to a report, verified profiles in GBP listings get about 1,800 views each month. Most of these views come from people discovering the business for the first time. Around 40% of businesses get over 1,000 views every month.
In this guide, we’re breaking down 7+ underrated yet highly effective perks that can help bring more traffic to your GBP profile.
Also Read: How to Protect Your GBP (Google Business Profile) From Unexpected Updates by Google?
One of the biggest perks of using Google My Business or Google Business Profile is that it is completely free. You do not need to buy a plan or pay for any extra tools to get started. Whether you own a small shop or run a local service, you can create your listing without spending anything. This makes it perfect for businesses wanting to grow without adding cost.
You can set it up in just a few steps. If you already have a Google account, you are halfway there. Just go to the Google My Business (page and sign in. Then follow the simple steps to add your business name, location contact details and business type. You can also upload photos and write a short description. Google will ask to verify your business, and once that is done, your listing will be live.
Once your listing is live, you can go back and update it anytime. You can add your opening hours, new photos, events, or deals. All of this helps people learn more about your business and visit you. You do not need any tech skills to do this. Google makes the steps easy to follow, so even beginners can manage them.
It is also easy to keep everything in one place. Your updates, revisions, views, and posts are all in your dashboard. This makes it simple to track what is working and what needs to be improved. Everything is clear and clean, so you always know what to do next.
Now, let us break this into two helpful points.
Google My Business gives you all the key features at no cost
You must already know that 46% of all Google searches are local. Many people leverage Google’s platform to find businesses, products, and services near them. When people search for a nearby place like a store, a clinic or a food spot, Google shows local results first. If your Google My Business listing is complete and active, your business will appear right at the top.
This helps more people living near you find your place quickly. They do not need to scroll or search too much. Your name, address, photos and reviews show up right away. This makes it easier for people to trust you and visit your business. A strong and updated listing gives you a better chance to get picked over others in your area.
Google helps local people find local businesses. If your listing is active, your name will appear when someone nearby searches for your service.
With your business added to Maps, people can tap on directions and easily visit you without any fusion.
If your profile has great reviews, clear photos, and helpful details, people are more likely to choose your place over others in the same area.
Do you have something new to tell your customers? Maybe a big sale is coming, or you have a new item in your shop. With Google My Business, you can share this news through posts. These posts show up when people search for your business. It’s like putting a small sign right on your profile.
Let’s say you are giving 20% off this week. You can talk about it. When people see your listing, they will also see your offer. Th, which will make me more excited to visit you. You can also post fun updates like a new product or a special event.
The best part? You don’t need any special skills. Just write a short message and upload a picture, and your post will be live in minutes. This keeps your page fresh and makes people want to check back often.
It’s like talking to your customers without calling them. Easy and smart!
Source: Embed Social
When people search for a business, they want to know if it’s good. They look at what other people say. This is why customer reviews are so helpful. If your business has many good reviews, more people will trust you. It shows that others have tried your service and liked it. Even a few kind words from happy customers can make a big difference.
The “Updates” or “Overview” tabs of the Business Profile on mobile on Search and Maps are based on various signals.
When people see others have had a good experience, they feel safe choosing their place.
When you reply to reviews, people see that you care and listen.
When you set up and regularly update your Google My Business listing, more people find you online and offline. A well-maintained GBP profile appears in search results when people look for search services near them. This increases visits to your website and also brings more people through your doors. Whether someone is checking your hours or looking at your photos, it builds trust and drives real actions.
When people search for your business type, your GBP listing pops up. From there, they can visit your website with just one tap. This gives your website more traffic without spending money on ads.
If your shop or service is close to someone searching, they are more likely to walk in. Clear directions and business hours help them decide quickly.
Visitors can call you or ask for directions without even visiting your site. These quick actions help you gain real customers faster.
People want to feel sure before they choose. Your GBP listing gives them all they need — contact details, reviews, updates, and photos — right where they are searching.
When people search for your business online, they want fresh and useful information. Google Business Profile gives you a space to share updates like special offers, business changes, or even events.
These updates keep your customers in the loop. They help people know what is happening with your business in real-time. If something changes and you don’t post it, people might get confused or even stop trusting your listing. That is why posting updates is not just helpful—it is necessary.
People love deals and fresh updates. Sharing them regularly keeps your listing active and encourages more clicks.
When your listing has exciting updates, it shows up higher on Google search. More people click on it because it looks active and trustworthy. It also gives customers a reason to come back again and again.
Your working hours might change. You might be closed on holidays. You may have shifted to a new place. Customers need to know that right away.
When your details are fresh and correct, customers feel confident about visiting or contacting you. They do not have to guess or double-check. This builds trust and makes their experience smooth and hassle-free.
When someone finds your business on Google, they usually want something quick. Maybe they want to ask a question. Maybe they need a fast service. If they cannot contact you easily, they might leave your page and call someone else instead.
This is where the call button helps. It is placed right on your Google My Business listing. People can see it clearly. With just one tap, they can reach you without visiting your website or searching for your number. This makes your business feel fast and friendly.
Let’s say Ben needs a haircut before a wedding. He’s in a hurry and searching for salons nearby. He finds your salon listed on Google. Right there, he sees the call button. He taps it, talks to your front desk, and books a slot. That call button just brought you a customer—and Ben didn’t even need to leave the Google page.
When people can reach you quickly, they feel more connected to your business. It shows that you are available, responsive, and ready to help.
Now think about this: every call is a chance to give great service. Each one is a door to a new sale or a new loyal customer. The call button turns online searches into real conversations. That’s how it helps drive traffic—not just to your listing but also through your front door.
Bottom Line
Getting more eyes on your business doesn’t always require a massive marketing budget. Sometimes, it just takes using the tools already available—like your Google Business Profile or Google My Business listing—and making the most of them.
Consider your GBP listing as a virtual storefront. If it’s crisp, informative, and seems to be in action, folks are much more likely to take a look. If it’s staid or barren, they may scroll on by. That’s the reason why focusing on the little things—such as posting, uploading new photos, and responding to reviews—can really pay off.
The benefits we’ve discussed aren’t rocket science, but they’re not commonly done. With a little bit of care and consistency, you can make that listing into something that doesn’t just appear but actually gets people in the door.
So, if you’ve been putting it off, now’s a good time to log in, review your profile, and start applying what you’ve learned. Your future customers might already be searching—you just need to help them find you.
Statistical Resource:
https://birdeye.com/blog/state-of-google-business-profiles/
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/seo-statistics/#local_seo_statistics_section
Google My Business shows your business in local search results, helping people find and contact you easily.
Yes, it is completely free to create and manage a GMB listing.
You can post offers, updates, events, photos, and changes during business hours.
Update it whenever something changes—like your hours, location, or offers. Posting weekly is a good habit.
Yes, you can use the Google Maps or Google Business Profile app to update it on the go.
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