Picture this: a hungry tourist strolling through Marbella with nothing but their phone and a growling stomach. They type “café near me” into Google and – boom – a handful of local listings pop up. Which one do they choose? The café with a verified Google Business Profile, mouth‑watering photos and glowing reviews will win every time. If you run a café, B&B or salon on the Costa del Sol, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your new best friend. Let’s make sure it’s working hard for you.
1. Claim and polish your listing
First things first: do you own your listing? Google may have created a profile for you without your knowledge. Search for your business on Google Maps, click “Own this business?” and claim it. Once claimed, fill out every section meticulously. That means:
- Consistent NAP: Make sure your name, address and phone number match exactly across your site and directories – inconsistent details confuse Google.
- Choose the right categories: Add all relevant categories that describe what you do, but avoid unrelated ones.
- Add hours and verify location: Enter regular and seasonal hours and drop the map pin at your exact door. Google won’t show your profile until you verify it.
This basic housekeeping lays the groundwork for better local rankings and ensures you show up when people search near you.
2. Show off with photos and video
People eat with their eyes first. Crisp, high‑resolution images of your café’s terrace, B&B rooms or salon interior make would‑be customers feel like they’re already there. Consider adding:
- Friendly faces: Staff portraits build trust and personality.
- Fresh images: Swap out outdated pictures when you redecorate or change your menu.
- Short video clips: A quick walkthrough captures your ambience.
High‑quality visuals don’t just look good – they can directly influence your ranking and click‑through rate.
3. Cultivate glowing reviews (and reply to them)
Reviews are the lifeblood of local search. Google’s algorithm counts the number and quality of reviews as a ranking signal. Even more importantly, travellers trust the word of fellow visitors over your own marketing. Encourage feedback by sending a quick thank‑you message after each visit. Respond to every review; acknowledge compliments and address criticisms with grace. Share standout testimonials on social media to inspire others. The quantity and recency of reviews influence your ranking, so build review requests into your customer journey and watch your visibility climb.
4. Engage with Google Posts and Q&A
Your Google Business Profile isn’t a static directory listing – it’s more like a social feed. Take advantage of two under‑used features: Posts and Questions & Answers.
- Google Posts: Use mini‑posts to share promotions, events or behind‑the‑scenes stories. From your GBP dashboard, click Add update. Regular posts keep your profile fresh and engagement is a ranking factor.
- Q&A: Visitors can ask questions right on your listing. Enable notifications so you can respond quickly. You can also seed the Q&A with common queries – “Do you have gluten‑free options?” – and answer them yourself.
These features humanize your business and provide up‑to‑date information.
5. Weave local SEO into everything
Your GBP doesn’t operate in a vacuum; it should work hand in hand with your website and overall SEO. Make sure you:
- Optimise your site for mobile: Most searches happen on mobile devices, so ensure your site loads quickly and looks great on a phone.
- Use location‑specific keywords: Sprinkle terms like “Malaga café,” “Marbella B&B,” or “Costa del Sol salon” into your page titles and headers.
- Write locally relevant content: Blog about local events, seasonal fiestas or tourist tips. This positions you as a local expert and gives search engines more context.
These steps reinforce to Google that you’re an authoritative, locally relevant business and support your GBP efforts.
Ready to get more travellers through your door? At OnlineMalaga we help Costa del Sol businesses turn their online presence into bookings. Want help applying this to your own business? Book a free discovery call – let’s chat.