The 60-Second Google Business Profile Checklist

Your Google Business Profile checklist doesn’t need to take hours. In fact, you can spot the most common problems in under a minute.

I chatted with a butchery owner in Pretoria last month who hadn’t touched his profile in two years. His opening hours showed he closed at 5pm when he actually traded until 7pm. He was losing evening customers who thought he’d shut already.

Why Your Google Business Profile Checklist Matters

Most local businesses set up their profile once and forget about it. But Google changes things. Your competitors update their info. And wrong details cost you customers every single day.

A quick check can make a real difference. I heard about a plumber in Durban who fixed three small errors on his profile. His phone calls jumped by 30% in the next fortnight.

Your Quick Google Business Profile Audit

Here’s what to check right now. Open your profile on your phone and work through this list.

Is Your Phone Number Correct?

Tap the call button. Does it ring your actual business line? I’ve seen profiles with old numbers, personal mobiles that aren’t answered, or numbers with missing digits.

Are Your Trading Hours Right?

Check every single day. Don’t just assume they’re correct. Public holidays, load shedding schedules, and seasonal changes all affect when you’re open. A hardware store in Bloemfontein told me they lost weekend customers for months because their Saturday hours were wrong.

Does Your Address Match Reality?

This sounds obvious, but it trips up businesses that’ve moved premises. If your address is wrong, customers end up at empty shops. Google also uses your address to decide when to show your business in searches.

What’s Your Primary Category?

This matters more than most people think. “Restaurant” is too broad. “Steakhouse” or “Seafood Restaurant” tells Google exactly when to show you. There’s a pizza place in Cape Town that switched from “Restaurant” to “Pizza Delivery” and started appearing for delivery searches immediately.

Have You Added Photos Recently?

Your last photo shouldn’t be from 2019. Fresh photos tell Google your business is active. They also give customers confidence you’re still trading. Aim for at least one new photo every month.

What Happens After Your GBP Optimization Check

Once you’ve run through this Google Business Profile checklist, fix whatever’s wrong. Don’t wait. Most changes go live within 24 hours.

Set a reminder to check again next month. Your profile isn’t something you sort once and forget. Think of it like your shop window. You wouldn’t leave the same display up for years, would you?

Small businesses in South Africa are competing for attention every day. Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing potential customers see. Make sure it’s accurate, current, and working for you.