When I first set up Google My Business for a UK client, I honestly didn’t expect it to have such a big impact. But after a few weeks, their calls went up, and local customers started finding them online without ads. That’s when I realised – if you run a business in the UK, you really need to know how to optimise Google My Business UK firms.
This isn’t about complicated SEO stuff. It’s about making sure people nearby can actually see and trust your business online. Here’s what’s worked for me and other British firms I’ve helped.
Keep Your Profile Alive (Not Just Once and Forget)
Most people set up their GMB profile once and never touch it again. Big mistake. You need to update GMB profile UK whenever something changes – phone number, opening hours, even services.
I once saw a café lose customers because their old hours were still on Google. People showed up on a Sunday, found it closed, and left a bad review. That one small thing hurt them more than they expected.
Talk Like a Local, Not Like a Robot
When you write your description, don’t just list services. Add where you actually work. That’s what people type into Google. For example, instead of “best bakery,” you can say “family-run bakery in Birmingham.” That’s all add local keywords UK really means – speak the way your customers search.
Don’t Skip Holiday Hours
Christmas, bank holidays, New Year – your hours change, right? Update them. Setting holiday hours UK is such a tiny step, but it saves you from angry customers showing up at a locked door. Google even highlights these hours in search results.
Cover Your Real Service Area
If you travel to customers, use service area targeting UK. You can add all the towns and cities you serve. For example, a plumber I know in London added nearby areas like Croydon and Richmond, and within weeks, calls started coming from those places too.
Show Real Photos, Not Perfect Stock Images
People want to see the real thing – your shop, your team, your products. When you do regular photo uploads UK, it makes your profile look alive. Google also seems to reward active profiles. Even phone snaps are fine as long as they’re clear.
Reply to Every Review (Yes, Even the Bad Ones)
Reviews are your online reputation. Always reply. A simple “thank you” to a good review makes customers feel appreciated. For bad ones, stay calm and fix the issue. Responding to reviews UK shows you actually care, and potential customers notice that.
Post Updates Like You Talk to Customers
Google lets you add posts to your profile. Use GMB posts UK to share offers, events, or even a simple “we’re open late this Friday!” It keeps your profile active and gives people more reasons to choose you.
FAQs
Q: How often should I update my profile?
Whenever something changes. Even if nothing changes, check once a month. Keeping your GMB profile UK fresh tells Google you’re active.
Q: Do photos really matter?
Absolutely. Photo uploads UK make your listing look real and trustworthy. Businesses with photos usually get more clicks.
Q: Can I list multiple towns?
Yes. Service area targeting UK lets you cover all the places you work in, not just one location.
Q: Why bother with holiday hours?
Because nothing annoys customers more than wrong timings. Adding holiday hours UK saves you from bad reviews.
Q: Should I reply to every single review?
Yes. Responding to reviews UK shows you value feedback. Even a short reply helps build trust.
Final Thoughts
Learning to optimise Google My Business UK firms isn’t rocket science. Keep your profile alive, use local words, set holiday hours, show the areas you serve, upload real photos, and reply to reviews.
These are small things, but together they make a huge difference. I’ve seen UK businesses go from barely visible to showing up at the top of local searches just by doing these steps consistently.
