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Enhance your local visibility online and attract more customers by optimizing your Google Business Profile Product section. Video included!
One of the most effective ways to enhance your local visibility online and attract more customers is by optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP), particularly the Product section. In this guide, we’ll explore creative strategies for leveraging this feature to boost your business. You’ll learn why the Product section deserves your attention, what you can upload, and how to do it!
The Google Business Profile Product section allows small to medium-sized businesses to showcase products directly on their profiles. (If you’re a big fish in the Google pond, the search giant would prefer you use Local Inventory Ads.) This feature especially benefits local businesses aiming to improve their visibility and attract more local customers.
Moz calls it “a sort of virtual window shopping interface that can really spruce up your listings,” and they’re so right!
– Moz
Using the Product section can significantly improve your local SEO. When potential customers search for products you offer in your area, having them listed on your profile can increase the likelihood of your business appearing in search results—especially if you weave in geo-modifiers (city/state/zip code) that make sense for what you do and where you do it.
Displaying your products on your Google Business Profile makes it easier for customers to see what you offer. This can lead to higher Profile engagement rates, as customers can view your products without visiting your website.
By providing detailed information about your products, including prices and descriptions, you can drive more sales directly from your Google Business Profile. Customers can make informed decisions and are likelier to choose your business over competitors.
Adding products to your Google Business Profile is a straightforward, though manual, process:
Note that it can take 1–5 minutes for the Product to display. The process is rarely immediate. Again, this process is manual. It’s okay to add a few products/services at a time, especially if you manage more than one GBP.
Visual appeal plays a crucial role in attracting customers. Make sure to use high-quality images for each product. This not only makes your profile look professional but also helps customers get a better sense of what you offer.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a compelling description (with geo-modifiers!) can seal the deal. Use clear, concise, and engaging language to describe your products. Include key details such as features, benefits, and any unique selling points. You can include up to 1,000 characters
Transparency is key to building trust with customers. Including pricing information in your product listings can help customers make quick decisions and reduce the number of inquiries you receive about prices.
To ensure your efforts are paying off, regularly monitor the performance of your Google Business Profile. Google provides insights into how customers interact with your profile, including views, clicks, and actions taken. Don’t expect overnight results, but do expect increased profile engagement. Add parameters to your product URLs to track clicks from your GBP to your website.
Businesses often assume they have to post their exact inventory or catalog, but that’s just not the case.
Let’s say you sell shoes. Styles may come and go, but you’ll probably always sell Women’s Athletic Shoes or Women’s Heels! Similarly, a car dealer may shy away from posting specific VIN numbers or vehicles because inventory moves quickly. Instead, they should post their core Makes/Models.
Hicks Family Subaru is a great example if you’re a car dealer. Visit their Google listing on mobile and you can see they’re using both their real-time product feed AND the evergreen one (below) where they showcase general Subaru models.
Your products don’t have to be for people, either! Star Blends makes custom feed blends for goats, cattle, and more. Their Product section showcases attractive images of healthy animals paired with evergreen descriptions.
The Google Business Product section was once reserved exclusively for “things you could pick up and walk away with.” Google required that the Product be a physical good, but that requirement no longer applies. You can now add merchandise, virtual inventory (like software), and services. Check out The Radon Guys—they showcase different types of radon mitigation, an on-site service. They also sell radon testing and monitoring kits through their radon website and include those affiliate links in their Google Business Profile for extra coverage.
Another effective strategy is to showcase your bestsellers and seasonal products. This not only attracts attention but also encourages customers to check out what’s popular or timely. For example, if you run a bakery, you could highlight your best-selling birthday cakes or seasonal treats, like pumpkin spice muffins, during the fall.
Per Google, you are not allowed to post regulated products and services, including alcohol, tobacco products, gambling, financial services, pharmaceuticals and unapproved supplements, or health/medical devices. Products must also adhere to the Shopping Ads Policies.
If you are a large, multi-location business, the Product section may not be available to you. Google wants to push you toward their Local Inventory Ads. But as a small to medium-sized business, you can upload merchandise, services, or virtual inventory (like software). How does Google know which category you fall into, and at what point does it consider you a large instead of medium-sized business? No idea… Google does not provide any guidance here.
If you are a restaurant, use the Popular Dishes or Menu Editor instead of Products (which may not be available to you, anywho).
You’re already in your Google Business Profile posting shoes and cars and more, so why not use the rest of the features available to you?! While the Product section is incredibly valuable, don’t overlook other features of your Google Business Profile. Here are a few additional features to consider:
Use Google Posts to share updates, promotions, and events. This feature allows you to communicate directly with your audience and keep them informed about what’s happening in your business. Google Posts are like Facebook Posts for Google Maps. Learn how to write the best, click-capturing Google Posts.
The Q&A section provides a platform for customers to ask questions about your business. Make sure to monitor this section and provide timely, accurate responses to build trust and credibility. As a business owner, you can also post common questions and answer them.
More than a billion people use Google Maps every month, and your Business Profile is the only way to get in front of them in Google Maps. You can’t go wrong using all of the features Google makes available to you.
The Google Business Profile Product section is a powerful tool for local businesses looking to enhance their online presence and attract more customers. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can make the most of this feature and drive more sales for your business. Start today by updating your profile and showcasing your products to the world.
The key to success lies in continuous improvement and adaptation. To stay ahead of the competition, regularly update your product listings, engage with customers, and monitor your performance.
We work inside Google Business Profiles every day here at GPO, but even so, we follow our friends at Search Engine Roundtable to track the latest Maps updates. Features don’t roll out to all business categories at the same time, and our clients are in a range of business categories.
Reach out for a free review of your Google Maps listing. Our listings pros love improving the quality of Maps listings and will provide you with a complete list of recommendations for your specific listing/s.
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