10 Google Business Profile Features to Help Your Listing Stand Out

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a vital tool for driving traffic, boosting visibility, and converting potential customers. But are you using it to its full potential? With over 46% of all Google searches seeking local information, an optimized GBP can make your business stand out from the competition.

This guide dives into 10 exceptional Google Business Profile features that you can leverage to showcase your business, engage your audience, and attract more customers.

Why Your Google Business Profile Matters?

Before jumping into the features, let's quickly look at why a GBP is crucial for businesses. Businesses with a complete and accurate GBP are 70% more likely to attract location visits and 50% more likely to secure leads. By making the most of the features highlighted below, you can turn your GBP into a powerful marketing tool.

Key Features to Make Your Listing Unforgettable

Let’s take a look at the key features that you must include in your listings:

1. Add Detailed Business Information

The foundation of a great Google Business Profile is accurate and detailed business information. Google favors up-to-date, specific details that help customers find and trust your business.

What to include:

• Business name, address, and phone number (NAP)
• Hours of operation (Don’t forget holiday hours!)
• Business categories and subcategories
• Your business website and location on Google Maps

Customers are 2.7x more likely to consider you trustworthy if your information is accurate and consistent across platforms.

Pro Tip: Update your business information regularly. If your hours change, for example, potential customers will appreciate the accurate details instead of running into a closed door!

2. Showcase Your Services

Did you know that 76% of consumers who search for a service nearby visit a business within a day? That means your Google Business Profile (GBP) can be a powerful tool to attract customers who are ready to take action. Make it easy for them to choose you by clearly listing your available services directly on your GBP.

• Be Specific: Break services into categories to make it easier for potential clients to understand what you offer. For instance, instead of simply listing “haircare,” break it down into “haircuts,” “coloring,” “blowouts,” and any other services you provide. Specificity helps users find exactly what they need.
• Add Descriptions: For each service, include a short description that explains what it entails. This not only highlights your expertise but also gives potential clients a better understanding of the value you offer. For example, under “coloring,” you can mention options like highlights, balayage, or full-color treatments.

Taking these steps not only improves your visibility online but also builds trust with potential clients who are looking for services that match their needs. A well-organized and detailed GBP shows professionalism and helps you stand out from competitors.

Bonus: Incorporate relevant keywords into your service descriptions for an extra SEO boost. This can help your profile rank higher in Google search results, making it even easier for customers to find you. By optimizing your GBP, you’re setting your business up for success and ensuring you reach the right audience.

3. Leverage Reviews and Ratings

Reviews are one of the most critical features of your GBP. Why? Because 93% of customers read reviews before making a decision, and those reviews often determine whether they choose your business or a competitor. Reviews act as social proof, building trust and credibility with potential customers. The more reviews you have (and actively respond to), the more credible and approachable your business appears, increasing the likelihood of attracting new customers.

• Encourage reviews by asking satisfied customers to leave feedback on your profile. You can make this even easier by creating a direct link to your review page or sending follow-up emails to happy clients, reminding them to share their experience. Google allows businesses to use the ‘ask for reviews’ tool, which can be used to request reviews.

• Respond to reviews, whether positive or negative. Thank customers for positive feedback to show appreciation, and address negative feedback with understanding and solutions. Engaging with reviews demonstrates that you value customer input and actively work to improve their experience.
• Showcase your star rating. Highlight your strong ratings on your website, emails, and other marketing materials. People trust businesses with higher ratings, so don't hesitate to make your high scores visible and easy to find.

Boosting your review count and maintaining an excellent rating can directly lead to more conversions, as potential customers are more likely to trust and choose a business with a strong online reputation. Make reviews a priority to stand out from the competition!

4. Use the Posts, Photos, and Q&A Sections

Google’s Posts, Photos, and Q&A features make your Google Business Profile (GBP) dynamic, interactive, and engaging for customers. These tools not only help showcase your brand's personality but also effectively market your products and services while building trust with potential customers. Here’s how they work:

• Posts: Keep your customers updated with promotional offers, company news, or the latest blog content. Posts appear directly in search results, keeping your audience informed and engaged. Whether you’re hosting an event, launching a new product, or sharing seasonal discounts, use the ‘Add update’ to add posts and help you stay top-of-mind with your customers.
• Photos: Visual content is incredibly powerful in grabbing attention and building trust. Photos breathe life into your business. Did you know businesses that feature photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website? Add compelling images of your storefront, team, products, or even customer interactions to create a strong connection with your audience. A picture is worth a thousand words—make them count!
• Q&A: Customers often have questions, and the Q&A feature allows you to answer them right on your profile. Proactively addressing these inquiries can save your customers time and show that you’re accessible and responsive. Use it to clarify business hours, services offered, or any other frequently asked questions.

Quick Checklist for Photos

To make the most of your GBP, follow these tips for adding photos:

• Capture high-quality images that create a professional and positive impression.
• Include photos of your storefront to help customers recognize your location easily.
• Showcase your products to highlight what you offer.
• Feature your team and customer interactions to give your business a personal, approachable vibe.

By leveraging these features, you can create a GBP that not only ranks higher in search results but also fosters stronger customer relationships and drives more traffic to your business. Start using Posts, Photos, and Q&A today to stand out and make an impact!

5. Highlight Offers and Events

Want customers to act fast? Share limited-time deals and upcoming events on your Google Business Profile (GBP). These features create a sense of urgency and excitement, enticing potential customers to take action.

• Create irresistible offers like “10% off for first-time visitors” or “Buy one, get one free this weekend only” to nudge customers into visiting or making a purchase. 
• Promote events such as workshops, seasonal sales, or grand openings to grab attention and encourage attendance.

Take advantage of key holidays, seasonal campaigns, and special occasions to stand out and drive more foot traffic to your business.

6. Analyze Performance Metrics

How do you know your GBP strategies are working? With Google’s Insights feature, you gain critical information about how customers interact with your business profile. These insights help you identify what’s working and where you can improve.

Key metrics include:

• The number of times people search for your business
• The number of clicks to your website from your profile
• Directions requests to your location
• Calls initiated directly from your GBP
• Potential customers viewed the number of times your business profile
• Number of unique conversations through messages
• A summary of all your total interactions
• Number of views on products over a selected period
• Number of clicks on third-party messaging buttons

Image Source: Search Engine Land

With this data, you can fine-tune your strategy over time. For instance, if you notice a significant increase in profile views or website clicks after posting limited-time deals, you know that promotions drive engagement. Use these insights to identify what resonates best with your audience.

Pro Tip: Make it a habit to check your performance metrics monthly, or even weekly, to spot emerging trends and new opportunities for improvement. Consistent monitoring ensures you stay ahead and adapt quickly to customer preferences.

7. Use Specialized Business Features

Google offers a variety of industry-specific tools to tailor your GBP to your business type, helping you stand out and connect with your target audience.

• Healthcare practices can list services like telehealth consultations or specialty treatments, making it easier for patients to find exactly what they need.
• Hotels can display their amenities, booking options, and highlight special packages to attract travelers.
• Restaurants can showcase menus, meal photos, and integrate online ordering to entice hungry customers.

By using these features, you can make your profile more relevant to your audience, increasing engagement and conversions. Tailor your listing to meet the unique needs of your industry for maximum impact.

8. Enable Booking

Simplify the customer experience by enabling them to book services directly from your GBP. Reserve with Google feature integrates seamlessly with scheduling software to make the process easier than ever.

Why it’s effective:

• Fewer steps to book = higher conversion rates.
• Convenient for customers, especially those on the go.

This feature is especially beneficial for service-based businesses such as salons, spas, fitness centers, and healthcare providers. With fewer barriers to booking, you’ll see an increase in appointments and customer satisfaction.

9. Showcase Products

If your business sells products, use your GBP to show them off! Adding your products to your profile increases your visibility and engagement with potential customers browsing online.

How to maximize this feature:

• Upload vibrant, high-quality photos of your products to grab attention.
• Include concise but compelling descriptions that highlight benefits or unique features.
• Showcase pricing, discounts, or limited-time availability to encourage purchases.

For businesses like boutiques, tech retailers, or gift shops, this is a powerful way to bring customers through your doors, whether physical or digital. Using this feature effectively can help you stand out from competitors and drive more sales.

10. Simplify Updates With API and Multi-Location Tools

If you manage multiple locations, keeping your information consistent across all profiles can be challenging. Google’s API and multi-location tools make it easy to streamline updates across dozens or even hundreds of listings.

Features to look for:

• Bulk location management to update information across all your GBP profiles at once
• Automated syncing to ensure consistency in hours, contact details, or special offers
• Location-specific insights to analyze performance metrics for each branch

These tools save time, reduce manual errors, and ensure that your business information is always accurate and up-to-date, enhancing the customer experience.

Stay Current With Menu Updates

For food and beverage businesses, your menu is one of the most important aspects of your Google Business Profile. An up-to-date menu ensures customers know what they can expect when they choose you.

Must-dos:

• Add rich visuals to showcase your dishes and beverages, making them look irresistible.
• Include detailed descriptions and prices so customers can plan their visit or place an order with confidence.
• Regularly update your menu to remove seasonal items when they are unavailable and highlight new offerings.

Keeping your menu current not only attracts more customers but also creates a positive dining experience. A well-maintained menu reflects the professionalism and care your business puts into its offerings.

By optimizing your Google Business Profile with these features and tools, you’ll engage more customers, build trust, and grow your business. Whether you’re running a small shop or managing multiple locations, your GBP is a powerful platform to elevate your online presence and drive real results.‍

Boost Local Visibility With DashClicks’ Business Listing and GBP Ranker Services

DashClicks provides a comprehensive business directory listing service, designed to streamline your location management efforts. With our platform, you can effortlessly manage all your business profiles from a single, intuitive dashboard.

Whether it's updating store hours, contact information, or promoting special offers, we ensure your data is accurate and consistent across all major platforms. This not only improves your local SEO efforts but also enhances trust and engagement with your customers.

Our GBP Ranker service takes your Google Business Profile optimization to the next level. By utilizing advanced strategies and tools, GBP Ranker helps boost your rankings in local search results, driving more visibility and foot traffic to your locations.

From smart keyword optimization to detailed performance insights, DashClicks' GBP Ranker service works to position your business as a leader in its local market, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.

Transform Your Google Business Profile Today

Your Google Business Profile is more than just a listing; it’s your ticket to better visibility, higher engagement, and increased revenue. By leveraging these 10 features, you’ll not only stand out on Google but also connect directly with the customers who matter most to your business.