7 Benefits of Google My Business

1. Appear in Google’s Local “3-Pack”

With a verified GBP, your business can rank in Google’s prestigious “Local 3-Pack,” generating up to 700% more clicks than competitors without listings. LocaliQ

2. Improve Visibility in Local Searches

Canadian businesses that fully optimize GBP can expect:

• 37% higher local visibility in SERPs
• Up to 56% of listing interactions result in website visits
• 29% lead to direction requests, and 21% result in phone calls. SQ Magazine

3. More Website Visits and Foot Traffic

A well-managed GBP sends up to 35% more clicks to your website and increases in-store visits by up to 28%. LocaliQ

4. Build Trust with Reviews & Photos

Businesses with photos receive 45% more direction requests and 31% more website clicks. Listings with many positive reviews rank higher in local search packs. SQ Magazine

5. Access User Behavior Insights

GBP Insights show:

• How customers found your listing (search term or map)
• What actions they took (call, directions, website)
• Which photos and posts generated engagement

This helps tailor better offers, posts, and business hours. SQ Magazine

6. Communicate Directly via Posts & Q&A

Use GBP Posts for updates, offers, or new services. Manage the Q&A section to answer common questions in advance. Posts can boost visibility and engagement with strong CTAs. InMoment

7. Free Marketing with High ROI

GBP costs nothing to set up, yet influences local SEO ranking (it counts toward ~19% of ranking weight). A complete, active listing delivers results that rival paid ads but at a fraction of the cost LocaliQ.

Canadian Small Business Stats

• 90% of Canadian consumers read online reviews before making purchases. WebHill
• 30%+ of Google searches are location-based nationally. mawazo.ca
• Average GBP listing is viewed 1,260 times per month globally; 56% from discovery searches. SQ Magazine

Best Practices to Maximize Google Business Profile

✅ Complete Every Section

Include: business description, categories, hours, keywords, service area, phone, website, and amenities.

✅ Post Regular Updates

Use GBP Posts weekly—highlight offers, events, or new products to show activity and relevance Vocal.

✅ Add Photos Frequently

Update your listing with high-quality interior/exterior shots, team images, and local landmarks. Listings with images gain more clicks and trust.

✅ Collect & Respond to Reviews

Encourage customers to review. Respond to all reviews—positive and negative—within 48 hours to build credibility and boost local ranking.

✅ Answer Q&A Prompts

Pre-fill common questions via the Q&A section to reduce friction and improve clarity for prospective customers.

✅ Maintain NAP Consistency & Citations

Ensure Name, Address, Phone are consistent across all directories (Yellow Pages, Yelp, industry sites). Use structured data (schema.org/LocalBusiness) on your website WikipediaVocal.

Local SEO Synergy: Why GBP is Essential in Canada

Local SEO helps ensure your business appears not only in regular organic search results, but in the Local Pack and Google Maps—where 76% of mobile local searches result in a store visit within 24 hours Investopedia | WebHill.

With 97% of Canadians searching online for local businesses, GBP remains one of the most effective tools for attracting foot traffic and phone calls organically LocaliQLinkedIn.

Summary: Why GBP Matters to Your Business

✅ Final Thought

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is a no-cost, high-impact strategy. It improves visibility, traffic, and trust for local Canadian businesses like yours. Whether you’re based in Vancouver, Toronto, or anywhere in Canada—a strong GBP equals more customers.

Ready to set up or improve yours? At Saintcode, we help local businesses claim, populate, and maintain Google Business Profiles daily to ensure maximum visibility and customer engagement.

Would you like help auditing or optimizing your own profile?