Free guide for local businesses
Fix your Google Business Profile in 30 minutes
Start with a free audit, then follow three simple steps. Includes copy-and-paste AI prompts. No marketing background needed.
Most local businesses in Toronto are not losing customers because their competitors are better. They are losing them because their Google Business Profile is incomplete, out of date, or filed under the wrong category. That listing is what people see before they ever reach your website, and it decides whether they call you or the shop two blocks away. The whole thing takes about half an hour to fix, and everything below is free.
Step 1
Start with your free SEO audit
Before you fix anything, find out where you actually stand. The free audit gives you a local SEO score, your top 3 issues, and quick wins, all in about a minute.
What you get
- A local SEO score out of 100
- The top 3 issues holding you back
- Quick wins and a GBP checklist
Step 2
Pick the right primary category
Your primary category is the single biggest ranking factor on Google Maps. Most businesses pick something too broad, or the wrong one, and stay invisible for the searches that matter.
Do this
In your Google Business Profile, go to Edit profile, then Category. Set the most specific primary category that matches what you do. Add secondary categories for your other services.
Copy this AI prompt
I run a [type of business] in [neighbourhood], Toronto. List the 5 most relevant Google Business Profile categories, with the single best primary category and why.
Paste the result, then match it to the categories Google actually offers you.
Step 3
Write a description that gets found
A profile Google calls "complete" is not the same as optimized. Your description and services should use the words your customers actually type when they search near you.
Do this
Fill in your business description, then add every service under the Services section with a short sentence each. Use natural, local language, not marketing fluff.
Copy this AI prompt
Write a 700-character Google Business Profile description for my [type of business] in [neighbourhood], Toronto. Mention my main services and areas I serve. Keep it clear and natural, no hype.
Then paste your service list and ask for one short sentence per service.
Step 4
Stay active with photos and posts
A profile is not upload once and forget. Businesses that post regularly see a real difference in click-through rate and "near me" searches. Activity tells Google this is a living business.
Do this
Add fresh photos this week (food, inside, outside, team, your work). Then use the Updates tab to post at least once every two weeks. It is a free ad slot right inside search results.
Copy this AI prompt
Give me 6 Google Business Profile post ideas for my [type of business] in Toronto for the next 3 months. Each short, local, and with a reason for someone to visit or call.
One post every two weeks already puts you ahead of most competitors.
Quick checklist
Your 30-minute GBP tune-up
- Ran the free audit and noted my score
- Primary category is specific and correct
- Secondary categories added for other services
- Description filled in with local keywords
- Services or menu listed with short descriptions
- NAP (name, address, phone) is consistent
- Fresh photos uploaded (food, inside, team)
- A Google Post published in the last 2 weeks
- Recent reviews replied to
Want a hand with it?
If you would rather see exactly where you stand, or want someone to set it up properly, I am right here in the neighbourhood and happy to help.
Free local SEO audit
Run the free AI-powered audit and get your score, top issues, and quick wins in about a minute.
Get My Free AuditThe longer notes
Each step above has a post behind it going into why it matters and what I keep seeing go wrong on real profiles.
Read the notesWant this as a reminder email too?
Completely optional. Everything above is free to read and download without it.