Your Google Business Profile categories are an important part of optimising your Google Business Profile (previously called Google My Business).
A Google Business Profile is a crucial tool for businesses aiming to improve their online presence. By providing accurate and detailed information, you can attract more customers and enhance your visibility on Google Maps.
Why Accurate Google Business Profile Listings Matter
Keeping your business listing up-to-date is important for a few reasons:
- Increased Visibility: Potential customers use Google Maps to find services near them. An updated Google Business Profile helps your business stand out.
- Trustworthiness: Accurate information builds credibility and encourages customer engagement.
Recent Changes in Google Business Profile & Google Maps
Recent updates to Google Business Profile, which flows through to your business’ listing on Google Maps, include the addition of more categories and options concerning hours. The expanded hours are relevant for restaurants and religious institutions.
This expansion allows businesses to tailor their profiles more effectively, catering to specific customer needs. You can now add various hour types such as brunch, senior hours, and even specialised hours for religious institutions like prayer and worship service.
Using these new features where they are relevant to you, can greatly improve your online visibility and customer interaction.
The Importance of Categories in Google Business Profiles
Google Business Profile categories are essential for optimising your business listing on Google. Categories help improve visibility in local search results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
1. Improving Visibility
Choosing the right categories ensures that your business shows up in relevant searches.
For example, if you own a Restaurant and select “Restaurant” as your main category, it directly connects your profile to users looking for Restaurants in your area.
2. Impact on Search Rankings
Categories have a significant impact on how your business ranks compared to competitors. Google takes into account the relevance of the chosen categories when deciding which businesses to display first. By selecting the most accurate categories, you not only boost visibility but also increase the chances of appearing at the top of search results.
3. Selecting the Right Categories
Carefully choosing appropriate categories is important. Businesses should evaluate their products or services and understand their target audience. Using broad or incorrect categories can confuse potential customers and decrease engagement. For instance, a coffee shop that lists itself under “Café” may miss out on customers specifically searching for “Coffee Shop”.
Luckily you are not limited to one category only. You can have secondary categories. You should choose all of the categories that are relevant to your business.
The expansion of Google Business Profile categories provides even more opportunities for effective categorisation, enhancing overall business presence online.
New Hour Types Added to Google Business Profiles
Google has expanded its offerings by introducing new hour types for businesses. This enhancement allows owners to provide more detailed and accurate information about their operating hours, which can significantly improve customer experience.
Newly Added Hour Types
The latest update includes a variety of additional hour categories tailored for different sectors, particularly benefiting restaurants and religious institutions. Here’s a breakdown of the new hour types:
- Access
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Happy hours
- Lunch
- Prayer
- Takeout
- Adoration
- Breakfast
- Confession
- Delivery
- Drive through
- Jummah
- Kitchen
- Mass
- Online service hours
- Sabbath
- Senior hours
- Worship service
Impact for Restaurants, Food & Drink Establishments and Religious Organisations
The introduction of these additional hours categories caters specifically to the unique needs of those industries:
Restaurants, Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bars
For restaurants and the like, the ability to specify hours for brunch, happy hours, and drive-through services can attract more customers. Clear communication about opening times for different meal services enhances the dining experience.
Religious Institutions
Religious institutions benefit from hour types like prayer, mass, and online service hours. These specific designations help congregants plan their visits more effectively, ensuring they do not miss important events.
Detailed Explanation of Each New Hour Type
- Access: Indicates when the business is accessible for visitors.
- Drive through: Specifies when drive-through services are available.
- Pickup: Designates times for customers to collect orders.
- Brunch: Offers clarity on brunch service hours.
- Senior hours: Highlights special operating times for seniors.
These enhancements create an opportunity for businesses to stand out in search results while addressing customer needs efficiently.
Adding these new hour types can lead to better engagement and higher foot traffic as potential customers receive clearer information about your services.
Benefits of Adding More Categories and Options About Hours to Your Google Business Profile
Enhancing your Google Business Profile by adding more categories and options about hours provides several significant advantages:
1. Enhanced Customer Experience
Detailed listings allow customers to find exactly what they need. Specific hour types, such as Brunch or Senior hours, help potential visitors plan their visits accordingly.
2. Increased Foot Traffic and Online Engagement
Accurate hour information boosts customer engagement. When you optimise business hours on Google, customers are less likely to encounter frustration from unexpected closures. This transparency encourages more visits both online and in-store.
3. Competitive Advantage
Businesses that take the time to provide detailed profiles stand out in search results. By offering comprehensive hour options, you create a profile that is more appealing compared to competitors with minimal information. A well-structured Google Business Profile can lead to higher rankings in search queries, attracting more customers.
Using these GBP enhancements not only meets customer expectations but also positions your business for growth within a very competitive landscape.
How to Optimise Your Google Business Profile with New Features
Updating your Google Business Profile to include new categories and hour options is essential for enhancing your online presence. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Your Profile
Sign in to Your Google Business Profile
- Access your profile through the Google My Business app or website. If you haven’t set up your profile yet, you can follow this guide on how to set up a Google Business Profile.
Navigate to the Info Tab
- This section contains all the details about your business, including categories and hours.
Add New Categories
- Click on the “Categories” section.
- Start typing relevant categories that reflect your business type.
- Select from the drop-down menu of suggestions. Ensure you choose specific categories to improve visibility.
Update Hour Options
- Go to the “Hours” section.
- Add new hour types such as Drive Through or Senior Hours by clicking “Add Hours.”
- Specify the days and times for each category, ensuring accuracy for customer convenience.
Save Changes
- After making updates, click “Apply” or “Save” to finalise changes.
Best Practices for Updating Your Hours and Categories
- Regularly Review Your Profile
- Keep your information up-to-date by checking your profile monthly. Adjust categories and hours according to seasonal changes or special events.
- Use All Available Slots
- Take advantage of all category slots provided by Google. This increases the chances of appearing in more searches related to specific services you offer.
- Monitor Customer Interactions
- Pay attention to how customers engage with your profile after updates. Tools like Google Insights can help track performance metrics.
- Be Specific and Accurate
- Choose precise categories and provide accurate hour types. This ensures customers can find you easily and rely on the information presented.
Optimising your Google Business Profile by finding new features allows you to create a detailed, informative listing that attracts potential customers effectively. For more comprehensive strategies on Google My Business optimisation, consider exploring additional resources through all the articles we have about optimising your GBP.
Case Studies: Successful Implementations of New Features
Real-life examples highlight the significant impact of updating Google Business Profiles with new categories and hour options. These updates, as outlined in this guide on how to set up Google Business Profile and manage it effectively, can drastically change a business’s visibility and customer engagement.
Restaurants
Example 1: Local Bistro
After adding specific hour types like Brunch and Happy Hours, the bistro saw a 30% increase in foot traffic during weekends. Customers appreciated the clarity on dining times, leading to longer stays and higher spending.
Religious Institutions
Example 2: Community Church
By incorporating new hour categories such as Online Service Hours and Prayer, the church enhanced engagement with both local and remote congregants. Attendance for Sunday services increased by 25%, showcasing how targeted listings attract more visitors.
Insights from Claudia Tomina
Claudia Tomina analyzed various implementations, noting that businesses leveraging updated features experienced not only increased visibility in search results but also improved customer satisfaction. Her findings suggest that detailed profiles allow businesses to cater to specific customer needs effectively, fostering loyalty and repeat visits.
These examples underscore the importance of keeping your Google Business Profile current, especially with recent enhancements in categories and hours.
Final Thoughts
Using Google Business Profile category and hour updates can greatly improve how visible your business is. The recent addition of more categories and hour types allows for:
- Improved customer engagement
- Better search rankings
- Tailored experiences for diverse audiences
As trends in local search optimisation change, it’s important to stay ahead with accurate and detailed listings. Businesses that actively manage their profiles are likely to have an advantage over their competitors. By embracing these changes, you are setting yourself up for future growth opportunities in a world that is becoming more digital.
