Why Your Google Business Profile Matters More Than Ever

Why Your Google Business Profile (and Reviews) Matter More Than Ever

If you’re a small business owner, your online presence isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s your digital front door. And when customers come knocking, your Google Business Profile is one of the first things they’ll see.

You’ve undoubtedly searched for a local café, plumber, or hair salon and taken a look at their reviews before making a buying or booking decision. Your customers are doing the exact same thing. That’s why a well-optimised Google Business Profile (GBP) - complete with strong reviews - can make the difference between a customer choosing your business…or your competitor's.

Let's understand what it can do for your business, and how to make the most of it.

What is a Google Business Profile (GBP)?

A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free, but incredibly valuable listing that appears when users search for your business or services in your area. It includes essential info like:

• Your Business name

• Address & location

• Phone number

• Website

• Hours of operation

• Photos

• Customer reviews

• and more

It also shows up on Google Maps, sometimes in Google Local Pack (the set of 3 search results that appear when you search for business type in area) results - absolutely prime real estate in search results. All. For. Free.

Why It’s Essential to Keep Your Profile Up To Date

Having a complete and accurate GBP helps you:

1. Get Found by More Customers

Optimising your profile increases your visibility on Google Search and Maps. The more complete your listing, the more likely you are to appear in local results when someone types in “AI automation consultant near me” or “best small business automation Canberra”.

2. Build Trust Instantly

A professional-looking listing with high-quality images, clear contact info, and good reviews makes your business appear legitimate and trustworthy. If your profile is outdated or inconsistent, it can cause confusion — or worse, lead potential customers to a competitor.

3. Drive Real Traffic

Your profile isn’t just a digital business card - it can actually drive clicks, calls, bookings, and if your business is one that thrives on it - foot traffic. From your profile, Google shows you action-based insights like how many people called you by clicking the phone number, visited your website, or asked for directions from your profile.

The Power of Google Reviews

Reviews aren’t just nice feedback - they’re a key trust signal for searchers and for Google’s algorithm.

Social Proof That Works

93% of people say online reviews influence their buying decisions. Good reviews boost your credibility and give potential customers the confidence to contact you.

Word-of-Mouth at Scale

Google reviews are public and searchable, like having your best clients vouch for you all day long.

SEO Boost

Businesses with more high-quality, keyword-rich reviews tend to rank higher in local search results. It’s one of the most important local SEO signals Google considers.

How to Improve Your Google Business Profile Today

This is well within the reach of any business owner and you definitely DO NOT need to be a tech wizard! Start with these practical steps:

• Claim and verify your profile

  If you haven’t already, claim your listing at google.com/business and verify it.

• Add quality images

  Upload photos that reflect your business eg. logo, team, workspace, and your actual services/products.

• Keep your details up to date

  Make sure your hours, location, and contact info are current - especially during holidays or seasonal shifts.

• Use keywords in your description

  Describe what you do in clear, natural language that customers would actually search for.

• Regularly post updates

  Google allows posts similar to social media. Share offers, news, blog content, or customer wins.

How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Being Pushy)

Here’s how you can collect more reviews ethically and consistently:

• Ask at the right time – right after a successful service or delivery

• Make it easy – share a direct review link via SMS, email, or QR code

• Automate it – tools like our Helium ACT Google Review request system send polite follow-ups automatically when a transaction is complete

• Respond to every review – positive or negative, show you’re listening and engaged

Pro Tip: A few recent, genuine reviews carry more weight than dozens of old ones.

Final Thought: Small Tweaks, Big Results

A polished Google Business Profile, backed by strong reviews, helps potential clients trust you before they even meet you. It builds local visibility, captures traffic with intent to buy, and adds social proof to your digital reputation.

At Helium ACT, we help businesses review, optimise, and automate their Google profiles — turning them into lead-generating machines and automatically collect those all important Google Reviews. Whether you’re a local service business or a tech startup, your GBP deserves attention. Contact us if we can help.

Coming soon we will be offering a free report to businesses making recommendations on how your business can improve their Google Business Profile. Look out for that very soon!