If you've set up a Google Business Profile, you've done something valuable. It puts you on the map — literally. But there's a common misconception: that a GBP is a substitute for a website. It's not.
What Google Business Profiles do well
They show your hours, phone number, address, and reviews right in Google Search and Maps. For local searches — "electrician near me," "coffee shop downtown" — a well-maintained GBP is often the first thing someone sees. For local US businesses that's genuinely powerful.
What they can't do
A GBP can't tell your story. It can't explain why someone should choose you over the competitor two blocks away. It can't show your portfolio, your process, your prices, or your personality. And it can't rank for the longer, more specific searches that often convert best — like "best value kitchen remodeler in Phoenix."
The combination that actually works
A GBP that links to a fast, well-written website is the winning setup for local businesses. The GBP captures nearby, immediate intent. The website builds trust, answers questions, and closes the deal. Together they cover the whole journey from "I need this" to "I'm calling now."
Practical steps this week
- Make sure your GBP links to your website
- Ensure your name, address, and phone number match exactly on both
- Add photos to your GBP regularly — it signals activity to Google
- Ask happy customers for a review — even five genuine reviews move the needle significantly
Neither replaces the other. Both, done well, are your most cost-effective marketing channel.