Quick question: When someone searches for your business on Google, are you confident in what they see?

If you hesitated, you're not alone. And you're leaving money on the table.

Your Google Profile Is Costing You Customers (And You Don't Even Know It)

Here's the thing about your Google Business Profile: it's often the first impression people get of your business. Before they visit your website. Before they check your Facebook. Before they even drive past your shop.

And for most Redditch businesses, that first impression is... underwhelming.

Old photos. Opening hours from 2019. The last review you got? Probably years ago.

Google sees this. And Google doesn't like it.

So what happens? Your competitor with fresh photos and regular updates appears first. You disappear into page 2. And we all know nobody goes to page 2.

Google Rewards Businesses That Actually Use Their Profile

This isn't a conspiracy theory. Google has been pretty clear about it: businesses that stay active on their profiles rank higher in local searches.

What does "active" mean?

Regular photo uploads
Fresh Google Posts (basically free advertising space)
Responding to reviews
Keeping information up to date

Think of it like this: if you walked past two shops and one had dusty windows and faded posters from 2018, which one would you walk into?

Your Google profile works the same way.

Photos: The Easiest Win You're Ignoring

Businesses with frequent photo uploads appear far more often in local searches. Not sometimes. Far more often.

You don't need a professional photographer. You don't need a fancy camera. Your phone is fine.

What you need:

Exterior shots so people recognise your premises
Interior photos so they know what to expect
Product or service images showing what you actually do
Seasonal updates – Christmas displays, new stock, team photos

Upload something every couple of weeks. That's it.

If your last photo was uploaded years ago, Google assumes nothing's changed. Why would it show you to searchers looking for something current?

Google Posts: Free Advertising You're Not Using

Here's something most Redditch businesses don't know: you can post updates directly to your Google profile.

These show up when someone searches for your business. For free.

Use them for:

Special offers
Events
New products or services
Seasonal promotions

One post every seven days. That's the magic number.

Very few businesses do this. Which means if you start, you instantly stand out.

Reviews Matter More Than You Think

Reviews aren't just for reputation. They actively affect how often you appear in searches.

What Google cares about:

How many reviews you have
How recent they are
Whether you reply to them

You don't need to be awkward about asking. Just: "If you've got a moment, a Google review really helps us."

And when you get reviews? Reply. Even the negative ones. Especially the negative ones.

Replying shows Google (and potential customers) that you care. That you're engaged. That you're a real business run by real people.

Answer Questions Before They're Asked

Your Google profile has a Questions section. Most people ignore it.

You shouldn't.

Add your own questions with answers:

Where can I park?
Do you accept card payments?
Is the shop wheelchair accessible?
Do I need to book?

If someone can get answers instantly, they're far more likely to visit. Remove the friction. Make it easy.

Categories and Services: The Boring Stuff That Actually Works

Choosing the right business category matters more than you'd think.

Many Redditch businesses are using the wrong primary category. This limits who finds you.

List your services in detail too. Use the actual words customers search for, not industry jargon.

Help Google understand exactly when to show your business.

Keep It Alive

Google favours profiles that show signs of life.

That means:

Regular posts
Photo uploads
Review responses
Updated information

Think of it as ongoing maintenance, not a one-off job.

Ten minutes a week. That's all it takes.

A Strong Start to 2026

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful free tools available to Redditch businesses.

Used properly, it can:

Increase your visibility
Drive actual footfall
Build trust before people even walk through your door

If you're unsure whether your profile is set up correctly, or you want help making Google work harder for your business in 2026, Redditch BID is here to support local businesses.

Is Your Business Invisible on Google?