What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free tool from Google that lets you control how your company appears in local search results and on Google Maps. With a strong Google My Business profile, customers can quickly find your address, opening hours, phone number and reviews.
How Google My Business works
When someone searches for your brand name or a service like "marketing agency in Leuven" in Google, your Google My Business listing can appear as a prominent box on the right side of the results or in the map pack. This listing pulls data you manage yourself, such as photos, services, website link and posts.
For local B2B and e commerce companies, Google My Business is often the first touchpoint before a click to your site. It connects directly with your website, your local SEO strategy and even paid campaigns, for example local Google Ads and search engine advertising.
Why Google My Business matters for growth
A complete and active Google My Business profile increases your chances to show up in local search results, which is crucial for Belgian and European businesses that rely on regional leads or foot traffic. It is one of the key building blocks of local SEO for more store visits and calls.
For a growth minded founder or CMO, it is also a fast way to get measurable results. People searching on Google Maps or "near me" queries are usually close to a decision, so every extra view, call or route request has direct revenue potential.
Key elements of a strong Google My Business profile
- Accurate core info: name, address, phone number, opening hours and website match your site and other listings.
- Clear categories and services: you select the main business category and add specific services or products that reflect your real offer.
- High quality visuals: professional photos of your team, office, store or webshop operations to build trust fast.
- Reviews and replies: you actively collect reviews and respond to them, which boosts both credibility and visibility.
- Posts and updates: short updates about offers, events or new services keep your Google My Business profile fresh and relevant.
Together, these elements help Google understand what you do and who you serve, which makes your Google My Business listing more likely to appear for the right local searches.
How Google My Business fits into your marketing stack
Google My Business should not live in isolation. It works best when it supports a conversion focused website, strong SEO and performance campaigns. For example, a local moving company can combine a well optimised listing with targeted search ads and a dedicated landing page to generate more quote requests, similar to how 6th Man structured this in a local lead generation case study.
If you run a local business with a webshop, aligning Google My Business with your broader growth plan is even more important. Your listing becomes a bridge between physical location, online store and data driven campaigns. A plug in growth team like marketing for local businesses with a webshop can help connect these dots and turn your Google My Business presence into a consistent, trackable acquisition channel.
