More and more businesses are listing their business online to attract customers. It is essential that your business stands out from the competition. It is also essential that you understand what happens when consumers search for products or services your offer and the importance of a Optimized Google Business Profile.
What actually happens when consumers conduct a search on Google?
Let’s say someone searches “plumber near me”. Google immediately starts scanning its massive index of web pages (like a library catalog of the internet).
Google doesn’t search the web in real time—it searches its index (a stored copy of the web).
The algorithm looks at hundreds of factors, including:
Keywords – Does the page contain the words “plumber,” “near me,” or related terms?
Relevance – How closely does the page match what the searcher wants?
Quality & Authority – Is the website trustworthy (based on backlinks, reviews, content)?
User Experience – Does the site load fast, work on mobile, and provide useful info?
Location – For local searches, Google considers where the user is and shows nearby results.
Google then organizes the results into different sections:
Google Ads (Paid Results) – Businesses pay to appear at the top when their chosen keywords are searched.
AI Overview - AI interprets the meaning behind the query, including context and intent and produces top businesses in results.
Local Map Pack – For local services (restaurants, plumbers, chiropractors), Google shows a map with nearby businesses.
Organic Search Results – Websites that rank naturally based on SEO.
Other Features – Knowledge panels, “People also ask,” images, or videos.
The searcher clicks on what looks most relevant and trustworthy—often the first few results. If your business isn’t visible here, you’re losing clicks to competitors.
Optimizing you Google Profile
An optimized Google Business Profile not only attracts more visitors but also enhances your ability to convert those visitors into paying customers. By providing accurate and detailed information, such as your business hours, contact information, and customer reviews, you instill confidence in potential customers. Debbie's Business Solutions provides the following:
1. Assistance with creating and claiming your Business Profile
2. Write a complete “from the business” description and content
3. Publish Google posts weekly
4. Upload new photos weekly
5, Collect and respond to reviews
6. Maintain your Business Profile
With these optimizations, you can turn your Business Profile into the best free customer acquisition tool you didn’t know you had.