For any local business in Sarasota, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most important tool for attracting customers. It’s the panel that appears when someone searches for your business or for “Sarasota restaurants” or “Sarasota roofers.” An optimized GBP is not a suggestion; it’s a requirement for local SEO success. Follow this 2024 guide to ensure your profile is working as hard as it should.
Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Profile
If you haven’t already, go to Google Business Profile and claim your listing. Google will need to verify your business, usually by mailing a postcard to your physical address. This is non-negotiable for taking control.
Step 2: Complete Every Single Section
An incomplete profile tells Google and potential customers that you don’t care about details. Fill out everything:
- Business Name, Address, Phone (NAP): Keep this consistent across the entire web.
- Hours of Operation: Include special hours for holidays.
- Category: Choose the most specific category possible (e.g., “Seafood Restaurant” instead of just “Restaurant”).
- Attributes: Select all that apply: “Wheelchair accessible,” “Outdoor seating,” “Women-led,” etc.
- Business Description: Write a compelling description that uses keywords naturally. Mention your location and key services. Example for a roofer: “Family-owned Sarasota roofing company specializing in hurricane-resistant tile roof repair and replacement for homes in Lakewood Ranch and Siesta Key.”
Step 3: Add High-Quality Photos
Profiles with photos receive significantly more clicks and engagement. Upload:
- A clear logo for your profile picture.
- A compelling cover photo that represents your brand.
- Photos of your products, your team, your workspace, and happy customers (with permission).
Step 4: Actively Manage Reviews
Ask your happy customers to leave a review. Respond to every review—thank those who leave positive ones and address concerns raised in negative reviews professionally. This shows you are engaged and care about customer feedback.
Step 5: Use the Google Business Profile Posts Feature
GBP Posts are like social media updates directly in your search results. Use them to:
- Announce a new product or service.
- Share a special offer or event.
- Showcase a new blog post (like this one!).
Step 6: Track Insights and Use Q&A
Check your GBP dashboard regularly to see how customers find you (search vs. maps) and what actions they take (website visits, direction requests). Also, monitor the Q&A section and provide authoritative answers to common questions.
This is Just the Foundation
A fully optimized Google Business Profile is the cornerstone of any successful Sarasota SEO campaign. But it’s just one piece of the puzzle. To truly dominate your local market, you need a comprehensive strategy that includes technical website SEO, content creation, and link building.
Is your Google Business Profile fully optimized? The experts at Webdizini can conduct a free audit of your profile and your entire online presence. Contact us today to unlock your business’s full potential in Sarasota search results.