Google Business Profile

In plain language

Your free business listing on Google that shows your hours, address, photos and reviews in Maps and search.

The metaphor

Like your shop's sign, front window and guest book in one, placed on the busiest street in town.

Going deeper

How it works

It shows in Google Maps and in the local map results at the top of nearby searches.
It holds hours, address, phone, services, photos, posts and reviews.
Fresh posts, replies to reviews and complete details help you show up.
Anyone can suggest edits to it, so it needs watching.

What can go wrong (example scenario)

A stranger suggested an edit marking a cafe "permanently closed", and Google accepted it. Nobody at the cafe checked the profile, and walk-ins dropped for a week before a regular mentioned it.

How WILDCARD handles it

Local Business Profile manages it for you: weekly content, profile optimization and monthly reporting.

In practice

A dentist updates holiday hours so nobody shows up to a locked door.
A landscaper posts photos of finished jobs every week.
A restaurant replies to every review, good and bad.

A question owners ask

Is it really free?

Yes. Google does not charge for the profile. The cost is the time it takes to keep it current.

Where WILDCARD handles this

Local
Business Profile

Weekly content
Profile optimization
Monthly reporting

Start with Local Business Profile

Related terms

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