How long does verification take?

Postcard verification typically takes 1-2 weeks for the postcard to arrive. Once you have the code, verification is instant. Other verification methods (phone, email, video) can be faster when available.

Can I have a profile without a physical storefront?

Yes. Service area businesses (plumbers, house cleaners, mobile services) can have profiles without showing a street address. You define your service area instead. This is common for businesses that go to customers.

Why isn't my business showing in Google Maps?

Common reasons: your profile isn't verified, your profile is incomplete, you're too far from the searcher, competitors have stronger profiles, or there's a technical issue with your listing. We can diagnose specific causes.

How do I get more reviews?

Ask satisfied customers! We can help set up processes to request reviews—follow-up emails, SMS requests, or cards with QR codes. Making it easy for customers to leave reviews increases the likelihood they will.

Should I respond to negative reviews?

Yes, always respond professionally. Acknowledge the concern, apologize if appropriate, and offer to resolve the issue offline. Good responses to negative reviews can actually build credibility by showing you care about customer satisfaction.

What are Google Posts?

Google Posts are updates you publish to your profile—similar to social media posts. They appear on your profile and sometimes in search results. Use them for offers, events, news, and updates. Posts expire after 7 days (events last until the event date).

Can I manage multiple locations?

Yes. Each location needs its own profile, but you can manage multiple locations from one account. We help set up multi-location management with consistent branding while customizing each location's specific details.

How does GBP affect SEO?

GBP is central to local SEO. An optimized profile helps you rank in the local pack and Maps results. GBP signals (completeness, reviews, activity) are major ranking factors for local searches.

Do you manage GBP ongoing or just set it up?

Both options are available. We can do one-time setup and optimization, or provide ongoing management including regular posts, review monitoring, and updates. Ongoing management is often included in our local SEO programs.

Google Business Profile Setup Calgary | GBP Optimization

Your Most Important Local Listing

When someone searches for a local business on Google, they usually see a map with three business listings before any regular search results. This is the 'local pack,' and it's powered by Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). If you're not in this pack, you're missing your best opportunity for local visibility.

Your Google Business Profile is essentially your business's presence on Google. It shows in Maps, in local search results, and in the knowledge panel when people search for your business name. It displays your hours, location, photos, reviews, and allows customers to call you, get directions, or visit your website directly from search results.

For local Calgary businesses, Google Business Profile is often more important than your website for initial customer contact. Many people will call or get directions directly from your GBP listing without ever visiting your website. An incomplete or poorly optimized profile means lost opportunities.

But simply having a profile isn't enough. An unverified, incomplete, or poorly managed profile won't rank well in the local pack. Optimizing every element of your GBP—categories, descriptions, photos, posts, Q&A—improves your chances of appearing in local searches.

We help Calgary businesses claim, verify, and fully optimize their Google Business Profiles. Whether you don't have a profile yet, have one that's incomplete, or want to maximize an existing profile, we can help.

GBP Services

Everything you need for an effective Google Business Profile.

✓Profile claiming and verification

✓Complete profile setup

✓Category optimization

✓Business description writing

✓Service and product listing

✓Photo optimization

✓Q&A management

✓Google Posts creation

✓Review response strategy

✓Hours and attributes setup

✓Multi-location management

✓Performance tracking and reporting

GBP Setup & Optimization Process

How we optimize your Google Business Profile.

01

Claim or Create Profile

We claim your existing Google Business Profile or create a new one if you don't have one.

Some businesses have profiles created by Google or previous owners. We claim ownership properly. If no profile exists, we create one with all required information.

02

Verification

We complete Google's verification process to prove you're a legitimate business at that location.

Verification typically involves a postcard mailed to your business address, though other methods exist. Verified profiles appear in more searches and have more features.

03

Complete All Fields

We fill out every available field—categories, attributes, services, products, description, and more.

Complete profiles rank better. We optimize your primary category, add all relevant secondary categories, and complete every applicable attribute.

04

Photo Optimization

We add high-quality photos of your business, products, services, and team.

Profiles with photos get more engagement. We recommend and help source photos—exterior, interior, team, products, and work examples.

05

Description & Content

We write an optimized business description and set up services/products.

Your description should clearly communicate what you do while naturally including relevant keywords. Services and products make your profile more useful.

06

Ongoing Management

We maintain your profile with regular posts, review monitoring, and updates.

GBP isn't set-and-forget. Regular posts, responding to reviews, updating seasonal hours, and keeping information current all contribute to ongoing success.

Verification Challenges

Google Business Profile verification can sometimes be challenging. Postcards get lost, Google sometimes requests additional verification, and certain business types face extra scrutiny.

We navigate verification challenges based on experience with many GBP setups. If standard verification fails, we know alternative approaches that often work.

Benefits of Optimized GBP

What a well-optimized Google Business Profile does for your business.

Appear in Maps

Show up when customers search for businesses like yours on Google Maps. Maps searches often have the highest local purchase intent.

Local Pack Visibility

The three-pack of businesses shown in local search results is prime real estate. Optimized profiles are more likely to appear here.

Direct Customer Actions

Customers can call, get directions, or visit your website directly from your GBP. Make it easy for them to reach you.

Build Trust with Reviews

Your GBP displays reviews prominently. A profile with positive reviews builds instant credibility with potential customers.

Free Marketing

GBP is free. A well-optimized profile provides ongoing visibility without advertising costs.

Insights and Analytics

See how customers find you, what actions they take, and how your profile performs. Data helps improve your local marketing.

GBP Best Practices

Key elements of an optimized Google Business Profile:

Accurate Categories: Your primary category strongly affects which searches you appear in. Choose the most specific accurate category. Add relevant secondary categories to capture related searches. We research which categories your successful competitors use.

Complete Services/Products: List every service you offer or product you sell. Include descriptions and prices where appropriate. This information helps Google match you to relevant searches and helps customers understand your offerings.

High-Quality Photos: Profiles with photos receive significantly more engagement. Include exterior shots (so customers recognize your location), interior shots, team photos, and examples of your work or products. Quality matters—blurry or unprofessional photos hurt credibility.

Regular Google Posts: Posts appear on your profile and can show in search results. Share updates, offers, events, and news regularly. Posts show Google your profile is active and provide fresh content for searchers.

Review Management: Actively encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews. Respond to all reviews—positive and negative—professionally. Review quantity, quality, and recency all affect local rankings.

Google Business Profile FAQ

Common questions about GBP setup and management.

Yes, GBP is completely free. Creating, verifying, and managing your profile costs nothing. Our services help you set up and optimize the profile effectively, but the profile itself is free from Google.

Have a question that's not answered here?

Call us at (403) 829-1452

Google Business ProfileSetup & Optimization