When it comes to getting new customers, one tool stands out, plain as day: your Google Business Profile (GBP).
You might know it as your “Google Maps listing” or “Google My Business.” Whatever you call it, it’s that little box of info that pops up when someone searches for a business like yours on Google Search or Maps. Think of it as your virtual storefront. But here’s the thing: it’s not enough to just have a Google Business Profile. You need it to work for you. And that means turning those views into real, honest-to-goodness customer actions—calls, visits, and clicks to your website. That’s what Google Maps marketing is all about.
More Than Just Showing Up: Understanding GBP Actions
Most folks focus on getting their business to rank high on Google. And yes, that’s super important! But what happens after someone sees your listing? That’s where the real magic, or disappointment, happens. A view is great, but a call, a visit, or a website click? That’s money in the bank.
Let’s look at some eye-opening numbers. Did you know that the average business gets found over 1,000 times per month on Google? That’s a lot of eyeballs! But here’s the kicker: only about 5% of those Google Business Profile views actually lead to a customer action like a website click, a call, or a request for directions. (Source: Search Engine Journal, 2019 data, but the principle holds strong). Our job, and what we do for our clients, is to make that 5% jump way up. We want more people to do something after they see you.
In fact, a recent study from 2024 showed some interesting patterns in how people interact with Google Business Profiles. 48% of interactions were website visits, meaning folks wanted to dig deeper before making a move. 34% were direction requests, a clear sign of someone heading your way! And 17% were phone calls, for those who like to talk it out directly. (Source: Birdeye, “State of Google Business Profile 2025” report). This tells us that people are using GBP for specific, action-oriented reasons. We need to make it easy for them to take those actions.
Building Trust and Authority: The E-E-A-T Framework for Your Google Business Profile
Google loves businesses that show E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This isn’t just for your website; it’s hugely important for your Google Business Profile too. When someone looks at your listing, they’re sizing you up in seconds. You need to radiate confidence and reliability.
How do we do that with your Google Business Profile? It’s about being complete, accurate, and truly helpful. Google itself says that businesses with complete and accurate information are 2.7 times more likely to be trusted by customers. (Source: Google). That’s a huge trust booster right there! Verified businesses, for example, get over 21,643 views each year just in Google searches. (Source: SeoProfy, 2025). So, make sure your profile is fully filled out and verified. If you haven’t done that, that’s step number one!
Beyond the Basics: Converting Views into Actionable Leads
Okay, so you’ve got a complete, accurate, and verified profile. Great! Now, let’s talk about the specific things you can do to turn those views into real-world customers.
1. Master Your Reviews: The Unsung Hero of Local Customer Acquisition
This is huge. Absolutely massive. People trust reviews more than anything else online. In 2020, a whopping 87% of consumers read reviews for local businesses. (Source: Search Engine Land, 2020). And it’s only grown since then. Think about it: when you’re looking for a new restaurant or a plumber, aren’t you checking those stars?
But here’s a stat you might not hear every day: one additional review on your Google Business Profile drives approximately 80 website visits, 63 direction requests, and 16 phone calls. (Source: Birdeye, “State of Google Business Profile 2025” report). That’s right, just one more review can have a ripple effect on your local customer acquisition. It’s not just about getting reviews; it’s about getting more and fresh reviews. Google’s algorithms favor businesses that show ongoing engagement, so a steady flow of feedback is better than a huge pile that hasn’t been updated in ages.
At Business Solutions Marketing Group, we specialize in Reputation Management for this very reason. We help you encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, and just as importantly, we help you respond to all reviews, good or bad. Responding shows you care, and that builds trust. And for those truly damaging, unfair reviews, we even offer a Review Removal service, because a few bad apples shouldn’t spoil your entire online presence. Learn more about how we can help you shine with our Reputation Management services and Review Removal options.
2. Unleash the Power of Visuals: Show, Don’t Just Tell
Would you buy a product without seeing it? Probably not. The same goes for your business. Businesses with photos on their Google Business Profile get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to their websites. (Source: Google, via Wiremo). Those are some serious numbers!
Don’t just put up a grainy picture of your storefront. Show off your products, your happy customers (with their permission, of course!), your friendly staff, and the inside of your business. If you offer a service, show it in action. Think high-quality, professional photos.
And this is where our Video Marketing expertise comes in. Imagine instead of just a picture, a short, engaging video introducing your team or showing a customer testimonial right there on your Google Business Profile. Videos grab attention like nothing else. We’re even using cutting-edge AI Avatar videos to help businesses stand out. You can see some of what we do in Video Marketing right here: Video Marketing Services.
3. Keep Your Information Spot-On: The Foundation of Trust
This might sound simple, but it’s amazing how often businesses have outdated hours, old phone numbers, or wrong addresses. Imagine someone looking for your business, driving across town, and finding you closed or at the wrong spot. That’s a missed customer and a bad experience. 62% of consumers will avoid a local business if they find incorrect information online. (Source: BrightLocal, 2025). Ouch!
Make sure your hours are correct, including any holiday hours. Double-check your phone number and website link. Add specific attributes that make your business unique (like “women-owned,” “wheelchair accessible,” or “online appointments”). Every detail helps Google understand your business better and helps potential customers decide if you’re the right fit. This is part of what we do when we work on Google Business Listing Optimization.
4. Use Google Posts: Your Mini-Blog on Google
Google Posts are like mini-blog posts or social media updates that appear directly on your Google Business Profile. You can use them to announce special offers, new products, events, or simply share updates about your business. They’re a fantastic way to keep your profile fresh and give people a reason to engage. Think of it as a little billboard right there on Google Search and Maps. Use strong calls to action like “Call now,” “Learn more,” or “Order online.”
5. Engage with Q&A: Be the Expert
Your Google Business Profile also has a Q&A section where people can ask questions about your business, and you (or others) can answer. This is an incredible opportunity to show off your expertise and help potential customers before they even reach out. Check this section regularly and provide helpful, concise answers. If you see common questions, consider adding them to an FAQ section on your website too!
Uncommon Stats to Ponder: What Very Few People Are Talking About
Here are a few less common stats that underscore just how powerful a well-optimized Google Business Profile can be:
- Only about 45% of businesses receive appointment requests through their Google Business Profile. (Source: Publer.io, 2025). This tells us there’s a huge missed opportunity for more than half of businesses to streamline their booking process directly through their GBP. If appointments are key for your business, making sure that feature is set up and visible is a no-brainer.
- While 88% of people use Google Maps to find local businesses, a smaller percentage, around 42%, click on results from the Google Map Pack (the top 3 local businesses shown under the map). (Source: RedLocalSEO). This highlights that while being found is good, getting into that coveted “Local Pack” is golden. It’s where the majority of clicks happen, showcasing the importance of aggressive Google Maps marketing to break into that top tier.
- 73% of websites in the United States use Google Maps and its API mapping technologies. (Source: Loopex Digital, 2025). This shows how integrated Google Maps is into the very fabric of online presence. It’s not just a standalone tool; it’s a foundational element of how businesses connect with their customers online.
The Local Customer Acquisition Playbook
Ultimately, all these strategies feed into one main goal: local customer acquisition. It’s about making it as easy as possible for someone who’s ready to buy or ready to visit to find you and choose you.
Think about the user journey:
- Search: Someone types “best coffee shop near me” or “plumber in [your town]”.
- Discovery: Your Google Business Profile pops up in the search results or on Google Maps.
- Evaluation: They quickly scan your star rating, read a few recent reviews, look at your photos, and check your hours.
- Action: If your profile looks good and trustworthy, they click “Call,” “Directions,” or “Website.”
- Conversion: They become a new customer!
The magic happens in that “Evaluation” and “Action” phase. Your job is to make your profile so compelling that they have to choose you. That’s where our decade of experience really shines. We understand the nuances of what makes a Google Business Profile truly stand out and convert. We don’t just help you get found; we help you get chosen.
Ready to Turn Views into Valued Customers?
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the moving parts of online marketing. But focusing on your Google Business Profile is one of the most direct and effective ways to drive real, local business.
At Business Solutions Marketing Group, we’ve helped countless small businesses in North Carolina and beyond optimize their online presence, manage their reputation, and create compelling video content that converts. If you’re ready to make your Google Business Profile work harder for you, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you draw that map to more customers.
Explore our services and see how we can help your business grow:
Let’s put your business firmly on the map!
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