---
name: google-business-profile
description: "Optimizes Google Business Profile listings with categories, attributes, posts, Q&A, and review response templates. Use when improving local search presence."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  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.
