Optimizes Google Business Profile listings with categories, attributes, posts, Q&A, and review response templates. Use when improving local search presence.
Optimizes Google Business Profile listings with categories, attributes, posts, Q&A, and review response templates. Use when improving local search presence.
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{"author":"matthewhitcham","version":"1.0"}
Google Business Profile
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when you need to:
Fully optimize a Google Business Profile for maximum local visibility
Write business descriptions, Google Posts, and Q&A content
Create review response templates for positive and negative reviews
Plan an ongoing GBP management strategy
DO NOT use this skill for website SEO, social media strategy, or paid local ads. This is specifically for Google Business Profile optimization and management.
Core Principle
YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE IS OFTEN THE FIRST IMPRESSION A LOCAL CUSTOMER HAS OF YOUR BUSINESS — EVERY FIELD COMPLETED, EVERY PHOTO UPLOADED, AND EVERY REVIEW RESPONDED TO CONTRIBUTES TO WHETHER THEY CHOOSE YOU OR YOUR COMPETITOR.
Phase 1: Brief
Required Inputs
Input
What to Ask
Default
Business name
"What is your business name (as it appears on signage)?"
No default — must be provided
Business category
"What is your primary business type?"
No default — must be provided
Address/service area
"Do you have a physical location or are you service-area based?"
Physical location
Current GBP status
"Is your profile claimed and verified?"
Claimed, not optimized
Services offered
"List your main services or products."
No default — must be provided
Competitors
"Who are the top 3 local competitors?"
General awareness
GATE: Confirm before optimizing.
Phase 2: Profile Optimization
Complete Every Field
## GBP Optimization Checklist
**Basic Information:**
- [ ] Business name (exact legal name, no keyword stuffing)
- [ ] Primary category (most specific option available)
- [ ] Secondary categories (all relevant additional categories)
- [ ] Address or service area defined
- [ ] Phone number (local number preferred over 800)
- [ ] Website URL
- [ ] Hours of operation (including special hours)
**Description (750 characters max):**
- [ ] Written with primary keywords naturally included
- [ ] Describes what you do, who you serve, what makes you different
- [ ] No promotional language or special offers (GBP guidelines)
- [ ] Includes service area or location mentions
**Attributes:**
- [ ] All applicable attributes selected (women-owned, wheelchair accessible, etc.)
- [ ] Payment methods listed
- [ ] Amenities selected
**Services/Products:**
- [ ] Each service listed with description and price (if applicable)
- [ ] Organized by category
- [ ] Keywords naturally included in service descriptions
Business Description Template
[Business Name] provides [primary service] for [target customers] in [city/area].
With [X] years of experience, we specialize in [specialty 1], [specialty 2], and
[specialty 3]. Our [unique differentiator] ensures [key benefit for customers].
[Additional detail about approach, values, or service area].
Contact us today for [CTA: a free estimate / consultation / appointment].
Photo Strategy
## Photo Uploads (minimum 20)
**Required:**
- Exterior (3-5): storefront from different angles and times of day
- Interior (3-5): clean, well-lit interior photos
- Team (3-5): staff photos, team shots
- Product/service (5-10): your work, products, results
**Tips:**
- Geo-tag photos before uploading
- Use high-resolution images (720px minimum)
- Upload new photos monthly to signal activity
- Add photos of seasonal services or promotions
GATE: Approve the optimization plan before writing content.
Phase 3: Content Creation
Google Posts (Weekly)
Write 4 templates rotating between post types:
Update Post:
[Topic/news about your business]
[2-3 sentences of value or information]
[CTA: Learn more / Call now / Book online]
[Link to relevant page]
Offer Post:
[Offer headline: "20% Off First Visit"]
[Offer details: what, when, terms]
[Redemption instructions]
[Start and end dates]
Event Post:
[Event name]
[Date, time, location]
[What attendees will get/learn]
[Registration link or details]
Q&A Strategy
Seed the Q&A section with common questions and answers:
## Pre-Seeded Q&A (5-10 questions)
Q: "What are your hours?"
A: "We're open [hours]. We also offer [evening/weekend appointments] by request."
Q: "Do you offer free estimates?"
A: "Yes! Contact us at [phone] or book online at [URL] for a free estimate."
Q: "What areas do you serve?"
A: "We serve [city] and surrounding areas including [area 1], [area 2], and [area 3]."
Review Response Templates
Positive review (5 stars):
Thank you so much, [Name]! We're glad you had a great experience with [specific service mentioned]. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. See you next time!
Neutral review (3-4 stars):
Thank you for your feedback, [Name]. We're glad [positive aspect], and we'd love the chance to earn that 5th star. If there's anything we can improve, please reach out to us directly at [email/phone].
Negative review (1-2 stars):
[Name], thank you for letting us know. We take this seriously and want to make it right. Please contact us directly at [email/phone] so we can address your concerns. We're committed to providing [positive statement about standards].
Phase 4: Polish
1. Monthly Management Routine
Week 1: Upload 2-3 new photos
Week 2: Publish a Google Post
Week 3: Respond to all new reviews
Week 4: Update Q&A, check for accuracy, publish another Post
2. Competitive Monitoring
Track your GBP ranking for key local searches monthly
Compare review count and rating to top 3 competitors
Note competitors' posting frequency and categories
3. Metrics to Track
Profile views (search vs. maps)
Customer actions (calls, direction requests, website clicks)
Photo views compared to competitors
Review count growth and average rating
Anti-Patterns
Keyword-stuffed business name — adding "Best Plumber in Austin" to your business name violates guidelines and risks suspension.
Ignoring reviews — unresponded reviews (positive or negative) signal you don't care about customer feedback.
Stock photos — Google and customers can tell. Use real photos of your business, team, and work.
Inaccurate hours — showing up to a closed business is the fastest way to earn a 1-star review.
No posts for months — an inactive profile signals a possibly closed or neglected business.
Arguing with negative reviewers — always stay professional. Take the conversation offline.
Recovery
Profile not claimed: Walk through the Google verification process (postcard, phone, or instant verification).
Suspended profile: Review GBP guidelines for violations (name stuffing is the most common). Submit a reinstatement request with corrections.
Low reviews: Implement a systematic review request process — ask every satisfied customer within 24 hours of service.
Competitor outranking you: Optimize every field, increase review velocity, and post weekly. Consistency wins in local SEO.
