Google My Business Checklist

Most small business owners set up a Google Business Profile (still widely known as Google My Business), fill in the basics and assume the job’s done. Then they wonder why they’re not showing up in local search while competitors get all the calls. It’s not luck. It’s usually six things you’re either doing or not doing.

1. Your business information is complete and consistent

• The check. Compare your name, address, phone and hours on Google, your website, Facebook and every other listing. Do they match exactly?
• Why it matters. Google builds trust through consistency. “123 Main St” in one place and “123 Main Street” in another confuses it, and rankings suffer.
• The fix. Spend an afternoon auditing and matching everything. Repeat every six months, because things drift.

2. Your photos are doing the work

• The check. Is it just your logo, or real photos of your business, team and work?
• Why it matters. People search on mobile and see a photo before anything else. A generic logo loses them.
• The fix. Take five decent phone photos: storefront or office, the team, work in progress, a happy customer or result, and one more that shows what you do. Refresh them every few months.

3. You’re getting reviews and responding to them

• The check. How many reviews do you have, when was the last one, and have you replied?
• Why it matters. No reviews says “nobody buys from you”. Ten reviews with thoughtful replies says “this business is serious”.
• The fix. Send your review link to your last five customers. Reply to every review, good or bad: thank people, address problems, keep it brief.

4. Your business category is right, not vague

• The check. “Restaurant” or “Italian restaurant”? “Marketing services” or “marketing consultant”?
• Why it matters. Too broad and you compete with everyone. Wrong and you don’t show up at all.
• The fix. Match how customers actually search, and use your extra categories. A plumber might pick Plumber, Emergency Plumber and Water Heater Repair.

5. You’re using the description and attributes

• The check. Do you have a short, search-focused description? Are attributes like payment methods, parking, accessibility and online booking filled in?
• Why it matters. Attributes help Google match you to the right searches and help customers know what to expect before they call.
• The fix. Write two sentences on what you do and why someone should choose you, using the words people search for. Then fill in every attribute that applies.

6. You’re posting, even just a little

• The check. When did you last post to your profile?
• Why it matters. Posts show you’re active and give customers a reason to click. They’re a freshness signal that lasts about a week. Your blog is the asset that lasts.
• The fix. Post twice a month: a photo of the week’s work, an offer or a customer testimonial.

Pick one thing from this list, not all six, and come back in a month to tick off what’s done. If you’d rather hand it over, an outsourced marketing manager can audit your profile, fix what’s broken, and set up a system so it stays that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

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1 Day Marketing. One day at a time. Based in Ipswich, serving small businesses across Brisbane and beyond.