{"id":1297,"date":"2025-12-31T05:58:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T05:58:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/?p=1297"},"modified":"2025-12-31T05:58:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T05:58:54","slug":"a-step-by-step-guide-to-auditing-your-google-my-business-profile-to-fix-errors-boost-local-rankings-and-increase-calls-and-visits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-auditing-your-google-my-business-profile-to-fix-errors-boost-local-rankings-and-increase-calls-and-visits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Perform a Google My Business Profile Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For local businesses, appearing on Google Search and Google Maps is no longer optional\u2014it\u2019s essential. Your <a href=\"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/top-mistakes-to-avoid-during-google-business-profile-creation-and-how-to-fix-them\/\">Google My Business<\/a> (GMB) profile (now called Google Business Profile) is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. Yet, many businesses set up their profile once and never review it again. This leads to outdated information, poor visibility, and lost enquiries. That\u2019s where a Google My Business profile audit comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, you\u2019ll learn exactly how to perform a Google My Business profile audit, step by step, to improve visibility, trust, and local rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is a Google My Business Profile Audit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Google My Business profile audit is a structured review of your business listing to check whether:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Information is accurate and complete<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The profile follows Google\u2019s best practices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optimization opportunities are being missed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visibility and engagement can be improved<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Google, businesses with complete profiles are 2.7x more likely to be considered reputable and 70% more likely to attract location visits. This alone shows why auditing your profile regularly matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When Should You Do a GMB Profile Audit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should perform a Google My Business profile audit when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your business isn\u2019t ranking on Google Maps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calls, website visits, or direction requests have dropped<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You\u2019ve changed your address, services, or phone number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Competitors are ranking higher than you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s been more than 3\u20136 months since your last review<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most local businesses, <strong>quarterly audits<\/strong> work best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step-by-Step Google My Business Profile Audit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 1: Check Business Name, Address &amp; Phone Number (NAP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verify that your:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Business name matches your real-world branding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Address is accurate and formatted correctly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Phone number is active and correct<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even small inconsistencies\u2014like \u201cRoad\u201d vs \u201cRd\u201d\u2014can affect trust and rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why this matters:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Google relies heavily on NAP consistency to verify local businesses. Inconsistent details across platforms can weaken your local SEO signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 2: Review Primary &amp; Secondary Categories<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Categories tell Google what your business does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During your audit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check if your primary category is the most accurate one<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add relevant secondary categories (without overdoing it)<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a real estate firm might use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Primary: Real Estate Developer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secondary: Property Consultant, Real Estate Agency<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Data insight:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Studies show that businesses choosing the correct primary category rank significantly higher in local results than those using generic categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 3: Audit Business Description<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your business description should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clearly explain what you offer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include relevant local keywords naturally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid promotional language or links<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You get 750 characters, but only the first 250 characters are visible upfront\u2014so make those count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Mention your location, services, and unique strengths without stuffing keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 4: Check Business Hours &amp; Special Hours<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Incorrect hours are one of the most common GMB issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Audit the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regular working hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Holiday or special hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Temporary closures (if any)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google reports that listings with accurate hours receive more direction requests and calls, especially during weekends and holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 5: Audit Photos &amp; Visual Content<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photos play a huge role in engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check if your profile includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exterior and interior photos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Team or workspace images<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Product or service visuals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recent, high-quality uploads<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important data point:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Businesses with photos receive 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks than those without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also review:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Image quality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relevance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Upload frequency (monthly updates are ideal)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 6: Review Google Reviews &amp; Ratings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reviews are a major ranking and trust factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During your audit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check average rating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review volume and recency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read both positive and negative reviews<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure responses are professional and timely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Did you know?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>Around 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Responding to reviews, especially negative ones\u2014shows credibility and improves customer confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 7: Analyze Questions &amp; Answers (Q&amp;A)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Q&amp;A section is often ignored\u2014but highly visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Audit this section to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Answer unanswered customer questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove misleading or incorrect responses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add common FAQs yourself using a personal account<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This helps control messaging and reduces friction for potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 8: Review Google Posts Activity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google Posts allow you to share:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Updates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Events<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Announcements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Audit whether:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Posts are being used consistently<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Content is relevant and recent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CTAs are clear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Active posting sends freshness signals to Google and keeps your profile engaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 9: Check Attributes &amp; Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attributes highlight specific features such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wheelchair accessibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online appointments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also review your services list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are all key services added?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are descriptions clear and accurate?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This improves relevance for specific search queries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 10: Review Insights &amp; Performance Data<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, analyze Google Business Profile Insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key metrics to review:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Search queries triggering your listing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Profile views<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calls, website clicks, and direction requests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Photo performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use this data to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify what\u2019s working<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spot drop-offs or declines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adjust your optimization strategy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Mistakes Found in GMB Profile Audits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Outdated contact details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wrong or missing categories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No review responses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low-quality or old photos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ignoring Q&amp;A and Posts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keyword stuffing in business name<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoiding these mistakes alone can significantly improve visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Often Should You Perform a GMB Profile Audit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Small businesses:<\/strong> Every 3\u20136 months<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-competition industries:<\/strong> Monthly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multi-location businesses:<\/strong> Monthly with location-wise tracking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular audits keep your profile accurate, competitive, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Google My Business profile audit isn\u2019t just a technical task. It is a visibility and trust exercise. With local searches driving real world visits and enquiries, even small improvements can lead to measurable growth. By regularly auditing your profile, you ensure your business information remains accurate, your brand appears professional, and your listing stays competitive in local search results. Over time, this consistency builds credibility with both Google and potential customers. In a market where buyers compare multiple businesses before making a decision, a well maintained Google My Business profile can be the difference between being discovered or being overlooked.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For local businesses, appearing on Google Search and Google Maps is no longer optional\u2014it\u2019s essential. Your Google My Business (GMB) profile (now called Google Business Profile) is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. Yet, many businesses set up their profile once and never review it again. This leads to outdated information, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1298,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1297"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1299,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1297\/revisions\/1299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altois.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}