Be discoverable, clickable, and impossible to ignore
Imagine this: a hungry customer searches “best biryani near me” at 8:13 PM. Your food is exactly what they want, but they order from your competitor (ouch). But why? Because your listing didn’t show up, or worse… it showed up with no photos, no reviews, and outdated hours. Heartbreak!
That’s where Google Business Profile (GBP) steps in. It’s your FREE – yes FREE front door on Google Search and Maps, and it could be your busiest channel if you treat it right.
Let’s break it down: why you need one, what the data says, how others have done it, and how to get yours working harder than your evening shift crew.
First: Why Google Business Profile Even Matters
📍 Because your customers live on Google
90% of all online experiences start with a search engine, and Google owns over 92% of the search market share (StatCounter, 2024). If you’re not showing up there, you’re invisible.
And with “restaurants near me” being one of the top 5 most searched phrases globally (Think with Google, 2023), not showing up is basically leaving money on the table.
🧭 Because it drives footfall AND orders
Google Business Profile lets users find your location, hours, phone number, menu link, reviews, and photos in seconds. That means whether you’re a QSR, fine dine, or cloud kitchen, you’re one tap away from being chosen.
“Businesses with complete Google profiles get 7x more clicks and are 70% more likely to attract location visits.”
— Google My Business Impact Study, 2022
Real Restaurants, Real Results
- Apsara Ice Creams, Mumbai
They optimized their GBP with high-res product photos, regular posts about new flavours, and added a direct WhatsApp link. Result? A 23% jump in footfall from Maps within 2 months. - The Belgian Waffle Co.
They ran weekly Google posts about their new launches and seasonal deals. Combined with regular review replies and menu updates, they saw a 40% spike in ‘call now’ actions from Google in Q1 2023. - Wow! Momo
Their cloud kitchens thrived in non-metro zones because their GBP listings were set up city-wise with hyper-local keywords. This led to better rankings in “momo near me” searches and consistent visibility in top 3 local results.
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Here’s the playbook.
- Complete Every Single Field
Business name, category, address, phone number, website, menu link, open hours — fill it all. Google loves completeness.
“Complete listings get 2.7x more reputation signals and are 50% more likely to lead to an action.”
— BrightLocal Consumer Review Survey, 2023
- Add Mouth-Watering Photos
Not stock images. Real photos of your dishes, interiors, and happy faces. Google reports that businesses with photos receive 42% more direction requests and 35% more click-throughs (Google Support, 2023).
Pro tip: Update them regularly. Nothing says “we care” like a fresh thali photo.
- Get Those Reviews (and Reply to Them!)
Yes, reviews are your digital currency. The more positive, the better, but even bad ones—if answered politely—help.
“88% of customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.”
— BrightLocal Survey, 2023
Ask your happy diners to leave reviews right after the meal or delivery. QR codes on the bill work wonders.
- Use Posts Like Instagram
Most people ignore the “Updates” feature on Google, but it’s free advertising real estate. Use it to talk about:
- New menu items 🍕
- Weekend offers 🎉
- Holiday specials 🎄
- Behind-the-scenes content 🎥
Google even allows CTA buttons like “Order Now” or “Call.” Don’t waste the opportunity.
- List Your Menu (With Direct Links)
If you’re on Zomato, Swiggy, or have your own ordering system — link it here. More options = more chances to convert a hungry scroller into a loyal customer.
- Track and Learn from Insights
Google gives you data on:
- How people found you
- What actions they took
- When they looked you up
Use this info to fine-tune timings, promotions, and even your next special.
Bonus Tricks for Cloud Kitchens & Multi-Outlet Brands
- Create separate GBP listings for each location
- Use local keywords: “Biryani in Koramangala” vs “Chhole Bhature in Delhi”
- Mention delivery partners (Swiggy, Zomato) in posts and description
- Update hours frequently — especially on holidays
TL;DR – GBP = Gold Boost Power 💥
Your Google Business Profile is more than a digital business card. It’s your 24×7 marketing assistant, customer support desk, and online storefront rolled into one. Whether you run a cloud kitchen in Noida or a 12-table café in Pune, optimizing it isn’t optional anymore — it’s survival.
And the best part? It’s FREE…FREE…FREE!