By: Anna Lynn Grant, Digital Media Specialist
Your customers are searching for businesses like yours—will they be able to find you?
Local search visibility is essential for businesses looking to attract nearby customers. When potential clients search for services, platforms like Google Business Profile, Yelp and Apple Maps are often their first stop. While websites and paid ads play a role in marketing, ensuring your business appears in these local listings enhances discoverability, builds trust and increases foot traffic. A well-optimized presence on these platforms can make the difference between being found or overlooked.
INCREASE YOUR LOCAL REACH WITH GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE
Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most effective ways to get your business in front of local customers. When someone searches for a service nearby, your GBP is likely to be one of the first results they see. A complete and optimized GBP increases your chances of appearing in relevant search results on Google Search and Google Maps.
GBP allows you to manage key business details such as your name, address, phone number, hours and website. You can also post updates, respond to reviews and answer customer questions. Google ranks your business based on this information, so the more accurate your profile, the better your chances of being found.
Your Next Steps:
- Keep your business information up to date.
- Upload high-quality images and share updates regularly.
- Respond to all reviews to show you value feedback.
MEDIA TO ADD TO YOUR PROFILE
- A cover photo to show off your business personality (JPG or PNG)
- A logo to use as your profile photo (250 x 250 pixels)
- An exterior photo of your business to help people recognize and find your business (under 5MB)
- Photos of your most popular products or services (720 x 720 pixels at least)
- A highlight video is also a great idea (720p and under 100MB)
BUILD TRUST AND CREDIBILITY WITH YELP
Yelp is another important local directory, especially for industries like restaurants, hospitality and home services. While Google is often the first stop, Yelp listings frequently appear towards the top in Google search results. Yelp lets customers leave reviews and share experiences, which can influence your reputation. Positive reviews can help attract new clients while addressing negative feedback builds credibility. Apple Maps pulls reviews and photos from Yelp, so it’s important to respond to reviews and upload new photos regularly.
Your Next Steps:
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews.
- Respond professionally to both positive and negative reviews.
- Update your business details and photos regularly.
REACH APPLE USERS WITH APPLE MAPS
Apple Maps is often overlooked, but with millions of iPhone and iPad users, it’s a powerful tool for connecting with local customers. When people search for businesses nearby using Siri or the Maps app, your business needs to be listed correctly to show up in their results.
Although customers can’t leave reviews directly on Apple Maps, the platform pulls reviews and photos from Yelp. You can update your business name, address, phone number, hours and upload new photos to keep your listing accurate and engaging.
Your Next Steps:
- Claim your business on Apple Maps through Apple’s Business Connect.
- Verify your address, phone number and hours are accurate.
- Add high-quality photos to help your listing stand out.
WHY THESE PLATFORMS MATTER
Google Business Profile, Yelp and Apple Maps each play a major role in helping customers find and trust your business. Together, they create a strong local presence across multiple search platforms. By listing and maintaining your business on these directories, you ensure that customers can easily find you—whether they’re searching on Google, browsing Yelp reviews or using Apple Maps for directions.
Taking time to optimize these listings boosts your visibility, builds credibility and attracts more local customers. If you haven’t updated your profiles in a while, now is the perfect time to do it!
Digital marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
At exploreMedia, we simplify the process with tailored strategies and actionable insights.
Ready to level up your marketing? Contact exploreMedia today to start outpacing your competitors and driving measurable results.
