A Google My Business Profile is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s a must-have for every brick-and-mortar store in 2025. With more people relying on Google to find local businesses, having an optimized profile can be the difference between being discovered or being ignored. In this post, we’ll break down exactly why your store needs one, how it helps you stand out in search results, and the key benefits that drive real-world foot traffic.
A Google My Business Profile (also referred to as a Google Business Profile) is a free listing that appears in Google Search and Google Maps when users look for businesses or services near them. It includes essential information like:
This profile is often the first impression potential customers get of your business — even before visiting your website.
Once your business is listed and verified with Google, your profile becomes eligible to appear in local search results — especially in the Local Pack (the map with 3 businesses at the top of local search results).
When someone searches for “shoe repair near me” or “best tacos in [your city],” your profile may appear — complete with photos, reviews, directions, and more.
Google uses signals like location, relevance, and prominence to determine which businesses appear in local results. Optimizing your Google My Business Profile increases your chances of showing up for the right searches.
Brick-and-mortar stores rely heavily on foot traffic. But in today’s digital-first world, foot traffic begins online. Here’s why having a Google My Business Profile is essential:
A well-optimized profile not only increases your visibility but helps customers choose you over competitors.
When someone searches for a product or service nearby, Google pulls data from local business profiles. If your business isn’t listed or optimized, you’re missing out on valuable exposure.
Your Google My Business Profile can appear:
Your profile is more than just basic contact info. Here are the most valuable features brick-and-mortar businesses should use:
These features not only inform but also engage potential customers before they ever step foot in your store.
Reviews are a huge trust signal. In fact, most people trust Google reviews as much as personal recommendations.
Your Google My Business Profile lets you:
Encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews can significantly impact your store’s reputation and search visibility.
Google Posts let you share updates, promotions, or events directly on your profile. These posts show up in your business listing and can drive real-world action.
Example ideas for posts:
You can also add call-to-action buttons like “Call now,” “Learn more,” or “Get offer.”
Google provides valuable insights on how people interact with your profile, including:
These analytics help you fine-tune your marketing and understand what’s driving traffic.
Getting started is simple — and free.
Even with a profile, many businesses miss out due to small oversights. Avoid these:
Your Google My Business Profile is a living tool — keep it active and accurate.
Here’s how a Google My Business Profile compares to traditional methods like print ads or radio:
Take “Mike’s Hardware” — a small tool shop that optimized its Google My Business Profile in 2024. Within 3 months:
All from a free tool. It’s not magic — it’s visibility.
Google continues to evolve its local business tools. In 2025, new features include:
Staying current ensures you don’t miss out on powerful features your competitors might be using.
If you’re ready to take your Google My Business Profile to the next level but aren’t sure where to start, consider working with a proven SEO expert like Al Gomez.
With over 16 years of SEO experience, Al has helped businesses across industries boost their visibility, grow traffic by up to 350%, and dominate both local and organic search results. Whether you’re on WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or any other platform, Al’s strategies are tailored to drive real, measurable results.
As a top-rated Fiverr Pro seller, Al specializes in Local SEO — the kind that gets your store found in “near me” searches and places your business in the top spots on Google Maps and search engine results pages.
If you’re serious about ranking higher and getting more local leads, partnering with someone like Al Gomez can give your business the edge it needs — especially in today’s competitive digital landscape.
In 2025, the success of a brick-and-mortar store starts online. More customers are searching on Google before they decide where to shop, eat, or visit. If your business doesn’t appear in those local search results, you’re losing valuable foot traffic and sales.
A Google My Business Profile is one of the easiest — and most effective — ways to put your business on the map, both literally and digitally. It helps you show up in local searches, build trust with reviews, showcase what makes your business unique, and stay connected with your customers.
Now is the time to claim and optimize your Google My Business Profile. Your future customers are searching — make sure they can find you.
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