Does an Inaccurate Google Business Profile Hurt My SEO?
If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably heard a lot of fancy words tossed around, like “SEO” and “digital marketing.” But really, it all comes down to one simple thing: trust. When a new customer is looking for a business like yours, they’re asking themselves, “Can I trust them?”
My name is Linda Donnelly, and as the owner of Business Solutions Marketing Group, I’ve spent over a decade helping businesses just like yours grow. I’ve seen firsthand how a little bit of attention to your Google Business Profile can make a huge difference. Because here’s the secret that a lot of people aren’t talking about: your Google Business Profile is often a potential customer’s very first impression of your business. And that first impression is everything.
In this post, we’re going to break down how three simple things—your photos, your hours, and your updates—are the trust-building tools you need to get more customers walking through your door.
How Do I Get More Customers to Trust My Google Business Listing?
Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Think of your Google Business Profile as a free storefront that’s open 24/7. When people search for a local business, they see your profile first. The more complete and trustworthy that “storefront” looks, the more likely they are to visit your real one.
The Power of Pictures: A Picture is Worth 1,000 Clicks
Imagine you’re searching for a new coffee shop. One listing has no pictures at all—just a name and an address. The other has bright, beautiful photos of the cozy interior, the delicious pastries, and the friendly barista. Which one are you going to click on? The answer is obvious, right?
But did you know there are numbers to back this up? According to a study, businesses with photos on their Google Business Profile are 42% more likely to get requests for driving directions and 35% more likely to get clicks to their website. That’s a huge difference!
Good Listing vs. Bad Listing: Photos
- A Bad Listing: No photos, or maybe just one blurry shot of the outside from five years ago. This doesn’t show a potential customer what to expect and can make a business seem like it’s not active or doesn’t care.
- A Good Listing: A professional-looking cover photo, a clear logo, and lots of photos that show off the business. This includes pictures of the storefront, the inside, the products you sell, and even your friendly staff. It tells a story and makes people feel comfortable before they even arrive.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to ask happy customers to share their own photos in a review. This “user-generated content” is a goldmine because it’s authentic and shows real people enjoying your business.
Why Your Hours Are a Big Deal
This one is simple, but it’s a mistake a lot of businesses make. Have you ever driven across town to visit a store, only to find it closed? It’s frustrating, and it’s a surefire way to lose a customer forever.
An inaccurate Google Business Profile can cost you a lot of trust and business. Studies show that people want reliable information. They’re using Google to check your hours and see if you’re open right now. If your hours are wrong, they’ll go somewhere else—and they probably won’t come back.
Good Listing vs. Bad Listing: Hours
- A Bad Listing: The hours are wrong, or maybe they’re just not listed at all. This creates uncertainty and makes a customer less likely to take a chance on visiting you.
- A Good Listing: The hours are correct, and they are kept up to date for holidays and special events. You can even use a special hours feature to show when you’re open on a holiday, which is super helpful for customers.
The Sneaky Stat: Did you know that 64% of Google users admit to using Google Business Profile to find up-to-date information about a business, including hours? That’s a huge number of people relying on you to be accurate.
The Impact of Updates: Show You’re Alive!
When you post updates on your Google Business Profile, it’s like putting a “We’re Open!” sign in the window. Google posts are short, micro-blog-style updates that live on your profile. You can share things like special offers, new products, or even a quick “hello” from the team.
This shows two important things:
- You’re an active business: Regular posts signal to both customers and Google that your business is open, active, and paying attention.
- You’re a trustworthy business: You’re giving people the most current information, which builds confidence and encourages them to engage with you.
Did you know that 5% of Google Business views result in a conversion? This isn’t a widely-discussed stat, but it highlights the immense power of an active and well-maintained profile. Whether that conversion is a call, a website click, or a direction request, a small action on your part can lead to real business.
The Trust Equation: It All Adds Up
Think of it like this:
- Photos = Visual Proof and Personality
- Accurate Hours = Reliability and Respect for Your Customers’ Time
- Regular Updates = Active and Engaged Business
When you combine these three things, you create what I like to call “The Trust Factor.” It’s what makes a potential customer choose your business over a competitor who has a blank, outdated listing.
At Business Solutions Marketing Group, we know that managing all of this can be a lot for a busy small business owner. That’s why we help with things like Google Business Listing Optimization and Reputation Management. We make sure your online presence is not only accurate but also working hard for you. After all, a positive online reputation is your most valuable asset. If you’ve been a victim of negative or fake reviews, our Review Removal services are also something to consider.
Building trust on Google doesn’t just happen by itself. You have to be intentional about it. By making your listing accurate and visually appealing, you’re building a foundation of trust that will turn more searchers into customers.
Key Takeaways
- Your Google Business Profile is a powerful tool for building trust and attracting new customers.
- High-quality photos are critical; they can increase your website clicks by 35%.
- Inaccurate business hours can cost you customers, while correct, updated hours build reliability.
- Regular Google posts show customers and Google that your business is active and engaged.
- The Trust Factor is the combination of these elements, leading to more business for you.
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