Google Business Profile: The Free Listing Most Myrtle Beach Businesses Neglect

Search for almost any business in Myrtle Beach and the first thing you’ll likely see isn’t a website. It’s a box with a map, star ratings, photos, hours and a “Call” button. That’s a Google Business Profile, and for a lot of local customers it’s the whole first impression.

It’s free. It takes an afternoon to set up properly. And many local businesses leave it half-finished, outdated or unclaimed. Here’s how to get yours working.

Why Your Profile Matters So Much on the Grand Strand

Visitors don’t know the area. When a family staying in North Myrtle Beach needs a pharmacy, a pizza or a kayak rental, they open Google Maps and pick from what shows up. Locals do the same thing when they need a plumber in Conway or a hair appointment in Carolina Forest.

Google says local results are based mainly on three things:

• Relevance: how well your profile matches what someone searched for.
• Distance: how far you are from the searcher or the location they searched.
• Prominence: how well known your business is, including reviews and links from around the web.

You can’t move your building closer to the beach, but you can control a lot of the relevance and prominence through your profile. Google is also clear that there’s no way to pay for a better local ranking. You earn it.

Step One: Claim and Verify

If you’ve never claimed your profile, search your business name on Google or Maps and look for the option to claim it, or start at Google’s Business Profile site. Google will ask you to verify that you own the business. Verified businesses are more likely to show up in local results.

A few tips:

• Use a Google account the business owns, not a former employee’s personal email.
• Give at least one other trusted person access as a manager so you’re never locked out.
• If your profile was created by someone else years ago, request ownership through Google rather than making a duplicate.

Step Two: Fill Out Everything

A complete profile helps Google match you to the right searches. Go through every section:

The basics

• Business name: your real name as it appears on your sign. Don’t stuff in keywords like “Best Seafood Myrtle Beach.” That can get your profile suspended.
• Address or service area: storefront businesses list their address. Service businesses that go to customers can show a service area instead, such as Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet.
• Phone and website: use a number that’s answered and a link to the most relevant page.

Categories

Your primary category is one of the most important choices you’ll make. Be specific: “Seafood restaurant” instead of just “Restaurant,” “Golf instructor” instead of “Sports.” Add secondary categories for other things you genuinely offer.

Hours, including special hours

This is where many Grand Strand businesses slip. If your hours change between summer and winter, update them when they change. Set special hours for holidays and storms. Nothing loses a customer faster than showing up to a locked door when Google said you were open.

Attributes, services and products

Fill in the details customers care about: outdoor seating, wheelchair access, pet-friendly, Wi-Fi, online booking, delivery and so on. List your services or menu so you can show up for more specific searches.

Description

Write a clear, plain description of what you do, who you serve and where. Mention the towns you serve naturally. Skip the hype.

Step Three: Photos That Show the Real Thing

Google encourages businesses to add photos and videos that show what they offer. Customers want to see what they’re getting into before they drive across town.

• Exterior: so people can recognize your building from the road, especially on busy stretches like Kings Highway.
• Interior: the dining room, showroom or waiting area.
• Products and work: dishes, inventory, before-and-after projects.
• Team: friendly faces build trust.

Add new photos regularly. A profile with fresh images looks active. One with photos from several years ago makes people wonder if you’re still open.

Step Four: Reviews and Replies

Reviews are part of prominence, and they’re often the deciding factor between you and the place down the road. Ask happy customers for reviews. Google lets you share a review link or QR code to make it easy. Then reply to reviews, good and bad, in a short, personal and professional way.

One important rule: Google prohibits offering discounts or other incentives in exchange for reviews. Just ask, and make it easy.

Step Five: Keep It Active

A profile isn’t a one-time project. Build a simple monthly routine:

1. Check that your hours, phone and website are still correct.
2. Set special hours for upcoming holidays and events.
3. Add a few new photos.
4. Post an update about a special, an event or seasonal news.
5. Reply to any new reviews.
6. Look for suggested edits from the public. Anyone can suggest changes, and you’ll want to catch incorrect ones.

Make Sure Your Website Backs It Up

Your profile sends people to your website, so the two should match. Same name, address, phone and hours, everywhere. Your site should load quickly on a phone and make the next step obvious, whether that’s calling, booking or ordering. If yours is slow or outdated, our web development team builds sites at fixed-quote tiers.

Let Us Set It Up Right

Axiom Design Group has helped hundreds of local businesses get found over the last 18+ years. Our marketing services team can claim, clean up and manage your Google Business Profile, and our photographers can give it images worth clicking on. Contact us, call (843) 839-4113 or email frahm@axiomdesigngroup.com.