Stand Out, Get Found & Get More Local Leads
If you’re a local business in London, your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is not just a directory listing — it’s your online storefront.
Whether you’re a solicitor in Shoreditch, a café in Camden, or a plumber in Putney, your GBP (Google Business Profile) can make or break your visibility.
At Rank Up SEO Agency, we specialize in helping London businesses rank in the Local Pack, dominate their boroughs, and drive real customer action. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP) step-by-step — with a London-specific edge.

🧠 Why Optimizing Your GBP Matters in London
London is hyper-competitive. Every borough is its own local ecosystem — meaning you’re not just competing city-wide, but postcode by postcode.
A fully optimized GBP helps you:
✅ Rank in the Google 3-Pack (map listings)
✅ Appear for “near me” searches like “emergency dentist in Clapham”
✅ Increase website visits, calls, and direction requests
✅ Build trust with local reviews

✅ Step-by-Step Google Business Optimization for London

1. Claim or Verify Your Listing
Go to 👉 google.com/business
Search for your business name

If it’s already listed, claim it

If not, create a new profile

Verify by postcard, phone, or email (depends on business type)

🔐 Tip: Use a dedicated business Gmail account for access control.

2. Fill in Every Section — Completely & Accurately
Here’s what you must include:
Field
Optimization Tip
Business Name
Match your real-world signage & website
Address
Exact, consistent format across all platforms
Service Area
Add surrounding boroughs/neighborhoods (e.g., Hackney, Islington, Camden)
Phone Number
Local 020 number (if possible)
Website
Link to the relevant landing page, not just homepage
Hours
Include holiday hours
Category
Primary category = most important (e.g., “Wedding Photographer”)
Additional Categories
Add up to 10 relevant options (e.g., “Event Photographer,” “Photo Studio”)

3. Write a Keyword-Rich Business Description (750 characters)
Use local keywords and services you offer.
✅ Example for a cleaner in Notting Hill:
“We are a trusted domestic cleaning company serving Notting Hill, Kensington, and West London. Our services include end-of-tenancy cleaning, deep cleans, and recurring maid service for busy Londoners.”

4. Add High-Quality Photos & Videos
Photos increase engagement by 2x.
Upload:
Exterior shots (to help with directions)

Interior shots (showcase space if relevant)

Team images

Before & afters (for trades)

Short videos (under 30 seconds) of services or testimonials

📍 Tip: Geotag your images before uploading using tools like GeoImgr

5. Enable Messaging & Bookings (If Applicable)
✅ Turn on messaging in the GBP dashboard
✅ Integrate with a booking tool (for salons, services, clinics, etc.)
Fast responses boost engagement rate and ranking signals.

6. Publish Weekly Posts (Events, Offers, Updates)
Use Google Posts like a mini social media feed.
Post ideas:
“10% off end-of-tenancy cleaning in Fulham”

“New opening hours for summer in Soho”

“Now serving customers in Battersea!”

Use high-quality images, relevant keywords, and CTAs like “Call Now” or “Learn More.”
🗓️ Tip: Posts expire in 7 days (except events), so refresh them weekly.

7. Get & Respond to Reviews (with Local Keywords)
Ask your happy clients to leave a review mentioning:
Your business name

The service they got

The location (e.g., “Best facial in Hampstead!”)

💬 Always reply — even to bad reviews — professionally and helpfully.

8. Use Local Service Landing Pages for Website Link
Instead of just linking to your homepage:
Link to location-specific pages like:
/plumbing-services-clapham
/seo-services-london

This improves relevance and click-to-conversion rate.

9. Enable Q&A and Seed Questions
Answer common questions like:
“Do you cover East London?”

“How soon can I get an appointment?”

“Is parking available?”

Proactively post + answer them using your business account.

10. Track Performance in Google Business Insights
Monitor:
Phone calls

Direction requests

Website clicks

Profile views

📈 Use this data to guide your post topics, hours, and service areas.

🏆 Bonus: Local SEO Tips for London Businesses
Use borough-specific keywords on your site (e.g., “Electrician in Camden”)

Build local backlinks (from blogs, directories, and partnerships in London)

Submit to local business directories:

Yell

FreeIndex

Thomson Local

Bark (if applicable)

💼 Real Client Win – London-Based Driving School
Before:
Unverified GBP

No reviews

Linked to homepage only

Zero posts

After:
Optimized GBP with 15 reviews

Created borough pages for Clapham, Tooting & Balham

Weekly posts & Q&A

Added geotagged images

📈 Result:
Ranked #2 in the Local Pack for “driving lessons Clapham”

41% increase in calls from GBP within 2 months

73% increase in discovery searches

🚀 Ready to Rank in London’s Local Pack?
Let Rank Up SEO Agency fully optimize your Google Business Profile and local landing pages — so you don’t just show up, you stand out.
👉 Book a Free GMB Audit for Your London Business
👉 Explore Our Local SEO Services for London
👉 See Local Case Studies & Reviews
Let’s build your digital storefront — and Rank Up.