In today’s digital-first world, it’s crucial to optimize Google My Business if you want to stand out locally and get more leads from GMB. Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a multi-location enterprise, your Google Business Profile can drive massive results—if done right.
Google My Business Optimization Tips to Get More Leads in 2025
With that in mind, this blog will walk you through proven, easy-to-follow tips that will help you fully optimize your Google My Business listing and start seeing more traffic, calls, and customers.
Why You Need to Optimize Google My Business Today
Nearly half of all Google searches have local intent. That means people are constantly searching for things like:
“best pizza near me”
“affordable plumber in [city]”
“urgent care open now”
If your business doesn’t appear in those results, you’re losing out on hot leads.
But when you optimize Google My Business, your chances of showing up in Google’s “Local Pack,” Maps, and even voice search increase drastically. That means more visibility, more clicks, and yes—more leads.
How to Optimize Google My Business and Get More Leads
Let’s break down the essential steps to fully optimize your Google My Business listing and make it a lead-generating machine.
✅ Claim and Verify Your Listing Immediately
Before you do anything else, make sure you’ve claimed and verified your business on Google.
Visit google.com/business
Sign in and claim your business
Choose a verification method (postcard, phone, or email)
Pro Tip: Use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) across all platforms. This builds trust with Google and avoids confusion for customers.
✏️ Write a Keyword-Rich Business Description
Your business description tells Google—and potential customers—exactly what you do. This is a great opportunity to include long-tail keywords and naturally optimize for voice search.
Instead of: “We are a dentist in Houston.”
Try: “We provide affordable family dental care in Houston with same-day emergency appointments.”
Use natural language and aim to answer how people might search using voice assistants like Google Assistant or Siri.
📸 Upload High-Quality, Engaging Photos
Photos can make or break your listing. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks.
Include:
Exterior and interior shots
Product photos
Behind-the-scenes images
Staff photos to humanize your brand
Update them regularly to show that your business is active and reliable.
⭐ Collect and Respond to Customer Reviews
To truly get leads from GMB, you need positive social proof.
Here’s how to encourage reviews:
Ask satisfied customers in person.
Send a direct review link via SMS or email.
Include a CTA on your website and receipts.
Always respond to reviews, even the negative ones. Thank people for positive feedback and offer solutions to those with complaints.
Transitioning to this mindset builds trust and shows that your business values transparency.
🕒 Keep Your Business Hours Updated
Always ensure your opening hours—especially holiday hours—are accurate. If someone searches “open now” and your listing shows outdated hours, they might choose your competitor instead.
Bonus Tip: Add “More hours” for specific services like pickup, delivery, or online consultations.
📄 Use Posts to Share Offers, Events, and Updates
Google Posts let you promote your latest offers, announcements, or events right on your GMB listing.
Types of posts you can share:
New product launches
Limited-time discounts
Blog updates
Upcoming events
Not only do Posts increase engagement, but they also help you optimize Google My Business with relevant keywords—boosting your SEO.
🏷️ Choose the Right Business Categories and Attributes
Google lets you select a primary category and additional secondary categories.
Choose the most accurate one, like:
“Divorce lawyer” instead of just “Lawyer”
“Vegan restaurant” instead of “Restaurant”
Additionally, add attributes such as:
“Wheelchair accessible”
“Wi-Fi available”
“Women-owned”
These details help attract specific customers and improve visibility in niche searches.
🌐 Add Website Links and Booking Options
Include your website, appointment URL, menu (for restaurants), and product links if applicable.
Want to get more leads from GMB instantly? Integrate a booking tool like:
Calendly
Square Appointments
Setmore
By reducing friction, you increase conversions.
📊 Use GMB Insights to Track What’s Working
Once your listing is optimized, use Google Business Insights to:
See how customers find you (search, maps, etc.)
Track which keywords are driving traffic
Measure actions taken (calls, website clicks, etc.)
Use this data to improve your content and test what drives the most engagement and leads.
🎯 Pro Tips to Get Even More Leads from GMB
Want to go beyond the basics? Here are advanced tips to get even more out of your listing.
🔍 Optimize for Long-Tail and Voice Search Queries
Focus on natural, conversational phrases that people use when speaking:
“Where can I get same-day dry cleaning near me?”
“Best gluten-free bakery in downtown LA”
Include these types of phrases in your business description, reviews, and posts.
🗣️ Encourage FAQ-Style Reviews
Reviews that include common questions and detailed answers help your GMB rank for more search terms.
For example:
“I called for a same-day appointment and they got me in within an hour! Great experience.”
Encourage customers to share what services they received and how fast they were helped.
🧩 List Services and Products Clearly
Break down your services in detail:
Add prices where possible
Include keywords like “affordable,” “emergency,” “certified,” or “eco-friendly”
Write clear service names and descriptions
This helps Google match your profile with high-intent searches.
🔄 Recap: Quick Checklist to Optimize Google My Business
Here’s a quick checklist to help you remember all the essential steps:
✅ Claim and verify your listing
✅ Add complete business info (NAP, hours, website)
✅ Write a keyword-rich business description
✅ Upload high-quality, current photos
✅ Collect and respond to reviews
✅ Post weekly updates and offers
✅ Use relevant categories and attributes
✅ Track performance with GMB Insights
✅ Optimize for long-tail, voice search queries
✅ Use booking and appointment integrations
🚀 Final Thoughts
When you optimize Google My Business properly, you’re not just ticking off SEO boxes—you’re building a powerful local marketing engine that runs 24/7.
With the right keywords, active engagement, and ongoing updates, your GMB listing can become your #1 source of local leads. And remember—this isn’t a one-time task. Make it a habit to check and update your profile regularly.
The result? More leads, more customers, and more growth—all for free.
🔝 Top 20 Google My Business Optimization FAQs
1. What is Google My Business and why is it important?
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool from Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google Search and Maps. It’s crucial because it helps local customers find your business, see reviews, view photos, and get directions—all within search results.
2. How do I claim my Google My Business listing?
Go to google.com/business, sign in with your Google account, search for your business name, and follow the steps to claim it. Verification is typically done via postcard, phone, or email.
3. How can I optimize Google My Business to get more leads?
You can optimize GMB by completing all business information, using keyword-rich descriptions, adding high-quality images, posting regular updates, responding to reviews, and enabling bookings.
4. What are the best keywords for Google My Business?
Use long-tail keywords relevant to your business and location, like:
“Affordable dentist in Austin”
“24/7 locksmith near downtown Chicago”
These work well for both local SEO and voice search.
5. How do I get more reviews on Google My Business?
Ask happy customers in person, through email, or via SMS with a direct review link. Make it easy and timely, especially after a successful service or purchase.
6. Do Google reviews help with local SEO?
Yes, they do! Reviews with relevant keywords and consistent responses from the business help Google trust your listing and rank it higher locally.
7. What types of photos should I upload to my GMB profile?
Include exterior, interior, team, service, and product photos. Real, high-quality images build trust and increase engagement from potential leads.
8. How often should I post updates on GMB?
Ideally, post at least once a week. Share new offers, events, services, or blog content. Regular posts show activity and improve visibility.
9. What’s the ideal business description for Google My Business?
Your description should be keyword-rich, natural, and informative. Focus on what you offer, who you serve, and what makes you unique—ideally in 750 characters or less.
10. How can I optimize for voice search using GMB?
Use conversational language in your description and posts. Answer questions like “Where can I find emergency HVAC services in Miami?” to match voice queries.
11. What are GMB attributes and should I use them?
Attributes describe extra features like “Black-owned,” “LGBTQ+ friendly,” “free Wi-Fi,” or “delivery available.” Yes, you should add them—they help filter and improve your visibility in niche searches.
12. How do I track performance on Google My Business?
Use the Insights tab in your GMB dashboard. You’ll see how people find you, what keywords they use, and what actions (calls, directions, clicks) they take.
13. Can I add products and services to my GMB listing?
Yes, and you should. Add each product/service individually with names, descriptions, pricing, and relevant keywords. This improves discoverability and helps convert leads.
14. Does responding to reviews impact my GMB ranking?
Absolutely. Google encourages businesses to engage with customers. Responding to reviews, both good and bad, shows you’re active and trustworthy.
15. Is it necessary to update business hours regularly?
Yes. Make sure your business hours are accurate, especially during holidays. Add “More hours” for services like delivery, drive-through, or online consultations.
16. How do I handle fake or spammy reviews on GMB?
You can flag and report fake reviews through your GMB dashboard. Google may remove reviews that violate its guidelines.
17. Can I use Google My Business if I don’t have a physical storefront?
Yes! Service-area businesses (plumbers, consultants, etc.) can list their location as a service area instead of an address. Just hide your address in settings.
18. How do I appear in the local 3-pack on Google?
To appear in the coveted 3-pack:
Fully optimize your GMB
Get high-quality reviews
Use relevant keywords
Build local backlinks
Keep your profile active and accurate
19. Does posting regularly on GMB affect my rankings?
Yes. Active profiles tend to perform better in local search. Posts signal to Google that your business is alive, engaged, and worth showing to users.
20. How long does it take to see results from GMB optimization?
Typically, you may start noticing improvements within 2–4 weeks. For lasting results, continue updating your profile, collecting reviews, and staying active.
