Local SEO plays a major role in the way customers engage with businesses today, especially with the unprecedented rise in mobile usage. Are you properly using your Google Business Profile to get those walk-in customers? Digital traffic is important, but ultimately you want your customers to walk through the door and buy from you. Here are some ways to use Google Business to improve your local SEO and get more walk-in customers:

When you set up a Google Business Profile (GBP), there’s an option for users to ask a question. Don’t ignore these questions because people asking them could potentially be leads for your business. More importantly, answer them quickly because: 

• People may be ready to walk through your door once they receive your response.

• Every question represents a potential prospect, which you cannot afford to lose in a competitive environment. 

• Catching questions as they arise will show prospects that you care about their business and will prevent them from going to competitors. 

As per one of the recent SEO Shark posts, the faster you’re able to response to all questions on your GBP, the easier it will be to get foot traffic through your doors. 

Imagine a person has spent time at a major attraction in your area and is then probably looking to go shopping, eat a meal or find something relevant to them. If you can position your business in relation to these attractions, you can guide prospective clients right through your door. Consider the following:

• Demonstrating how close you are to attractions in your area will make it easier for people to understand where you are located. 

• Showing attractions in your GBP will help you attract customers who may be looking for something related to your business. 

• Highlighting attractions around you will allow you to make your business more relevant to visitors. 

The more you’re able to demonstrate your proximity to local attractions, the more people you may be able to attract to walk into your business. 

Customers want everything quick and easy when researching online, so finding where you’re located should be no different. Consider the following:

• You need to get your business listed on Google Maps so customers can simply type in your business name to find you. 

• Make sure the map is listed right next to your GBP so readers can easily get directions to your location when they type in a relevant search. 

• Verify your Google Maps listing so Google can confirm that you have an address that is regularly operated. 

Google Maps has made it infinitely easier for customers to find businesses online. The easier people are able to locate you, the more likely you will be to get walk ins. 

Depending on what your business does, you need to consider what times are most convenient to your target audience. Then you can use this to let customers know that you are open at the most convenient times for them. Consider the following: 

• Businesses that cater to working professionals cannot be open from 9 to 5 between Monday and Friday – you may need to look at opening later in the evenings and on weekends. 

• A good way to make sure you get your hours right is to do a quick audit of your competitors and benchmark yourself accordingly. 

• Communicate your hours to your target audience via your GBP, website and social media channels so people are aware of when you are open and are more likely to walk through your doors. 

Your foot traffic can only reach an optimum level when people are able to walk in through your doors at a time convenient to them. Make sure your business considers this and adjusts working hours accordingly. While you may have to adjust to some changes, the results will be well worth it when you consider the increased number of walk-in customers. 

A Google Business Profile is almost as powerful as a good website today because it serves as the storefront to your operations, pushes up your SEO and can re-direct traffic to your website – ultimately getting you the foot traffic you’re looking for.