Selecting the correct categories for your Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for boosting local search visibility and attracting the right customers. Here’s a guide on how to choose the best categories and some popular options.
1. Understand Your Core Services
Begin by identifying your primary business activities. Your main category should reflect your business’s core offering, while additional categories can cover related services. For instance, if you run a real estate agency, “Real Estate Agency” should be your main category, while “Property Management Company” or “Real Estate Consultant” could be secondary categories.
2. Research Competitors
Analyzing the categories used by successful competitors provides insight into what works in your industry. Search for similar businesses and see how they’ve structured their profiles. This helps you discover new, relevant categories you might not have considered.
3. Use Google’s Suggested Categories
Google offers a list of predefined categories. Start typing in a potential category, and suggestions will appear. Make sure the chosen categories accurately represent your business to ensure better visibility in relevant search results.
4. Be Specific, Yet Broad Enough
Choosing a highly specific category can help attract niche customers, but it shouldn’t limit your reach. Strive for a balance by picking categories that are both specific and encompassing of all your services.
5. Review and Update Regularly
Your business evolves, and so should your GBP categories. Regularly revisiting and updating your categories can help keep your profile relevant, especially when new categories are introduced by Google.
Top Google Business Profile Category Options by Industry
- Restaurants: “Italian Restaurant,” “Seafood Restaurant,” “Coffee Shop”
- Real Estate: “Real Estate Agency,” “Property Management Company,” “Real Estate Consultant”
- Health & Wellness: “Chiropractor,” “Yoga Studio,” “Spa”
- Retail: “Clothing Store,” “Electronics Store,” “Bookstore”
- Services: “Digital Marketing Agency,” “SEO Services,” “Plumber”
Selecting the right categories for your Google Business Profile can elevate your business’s visibility and drive more local SEO traffic. Stay proactive, strategic, and updated to make the most of your GBP listing.