Google Business Local SEO

Google Business Profile: The Complete Agent Guide

Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing buyers and sellers see. The agents in that top 3 "map pack" get the vast majority of calls. Everyone else fights for scraps.

PlaceROI Team
8 min read

"Profiles with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks. Yet most agent profiles are empty or outdated."

📍 Why GBP Matters

42%

more direction requests with photos

35%

more website clicks

Top 3

"map pack" gets most calls

1st

impression for local searches

Setting Up Your Profile Right

Your primary category should be "Real estate agent." You can add secondary categories, but don't dilute your focus. Google rewards completeness - fill out every field.

Essential Fields to Complete:

Business Name
Your name or agency
Service Area
Suburbs you cover
Phone & Website
Contact details
Business Description
Keywords naturally

Add Quality Photos

Profiles with photos get significantly more engagement. Show potential clients who you are and what you do.

📸 Photos That Work

  • • Professional headshot as profile photo
  • • Office exterior and interior
  • • Team photos
  • • Recent sold properties (with permission)
  • • You at open homes or with happy clients

Getting Reviews (The Right Way)

Reviews are the single biggest ranking factor after your profile basics. More importantly, they convince someone to call you instead of the next agent.

✓ When to Ask:

  • • Right after settlement
  • • After a successful auction
  • • When they thank you
  • • At emotional high points

💬 How to Ask:

  • • Send direct link via text
  • • Keep it personal
  • • Make it easy (one click)
  • • Follow up once if needed
"Hi [Name], congratulations again on the sale! If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate a quick Google review. Here's the link: [link]. Thank you!"

Posting to Your Profile

Google Business Profile lets you publish posts that show up when people view your profile. Most agents ignore this entirely - which is your opportunity.

What to Post:

🏠

Just Listed

Share new listings with photos and key details

🎉

Just Sold

Celebrate sales - shows you're active

🚪

Open Homes

Promote upcoming inspections

📊

Market Updates

Share local market insights

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Keyword Stuffing

Don't add keywords to your business name - Google penalizes this

Fake Reviews

Google can detect and penalize fake reviews - not worth the risk

Ignoring Q&A

Answer questions people ask on your profile - or someone else will

No Posts

An inactive profile looks like an inactive agent

Let Us Manage Your Google Business Profile

PlaceROI handles your GBP completely - AI-powered review responses, Just Listed/Sold posts, and local SEO optimization.

Learn About Our GBP Service