The Easiest Local SEO Win in 2026:

Fix Your Google Business Profile

A practical checklist to optimize your Google Business Profile for local SEO in 2026, so you show up in maps, build trust, and win more calls.

Written by Kurt Goetzinger, owner of Omaha Advertising

If you run a business in the Omaha metro, there’s a good chance your next customer will find you on Google before they ever visit your website. They’ll search “near me,” scan the map results, look at reviews, and make a decision in under a minute. That’s why your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the highest-impact marketing tools you have, and it’s free. I’ve seen this firsthand with clients who were doing a lot of things “right,” but still weren’t getting calls because their profile was missing, unverified, or half-finished. Once we claimed it, cleaned it up, and added the right details, they started showing up in local searches and getting traction fast.

Here’s what to do, in a practical order.

1. Claim and verify your profile
   If you haven’t claimed it, you don’t control what Google shows. Verification is what unlocks your ability to manage your listing, respond to reviews, and publish updates.
2. Make sure your name, address, and phone number are consistent
   Consistency builds trust with Google and with humans. Your website, Google Business Profile, and directories should all match exactly, same spelling, same formatting, same phone number.|
3. Choose the right primary category
   This matters more than most people realize. Your primary category helps Google understand what you are. Pick the closest match, then add a few secondary categories that accurately reflect your services.
4. Write a simple, clear business description
   Skip the hype. In 2–4 sentences, explain what you do, who you serve, and where you serve them. Use normal language that matches how customers search.
5. Add services, products, and service areas
   This is where you can quietly strengthen SEO without “stuffing keywords.” Add your main services and the areas you serve (Omaha, Papillion, Bellevue, Elkhorn, Council Bluffs, etc.), but only if they’re legitimate.
6. Upload real photos (and keep them fresh)
   Google rewards activity, and customers trust businesses that look active and real. Add a few good photos of your team, your work, your office or shop, and your vehicles if that applies. Fresh photos help your profile feel current.
7. Ask for reviews and respond to them
   Reviews build credibility and influence decisions quickly. Ask satisfied customers, make it easy, and respond to reviews in a professional, appreciative tone. A thoughtful response is part of your brand.
8. Use posts to stay visible
   Most businesses never touch this feature. Short updates, seasonal reminders, event announcements, and recent work posts help keep your listing active and give Google more signals that you’re engaged.

Common mistakes I see

• The profile exists, but no one has verified it.
• Wrong category (or too many unrelated categories).
• Old phone number, wrong hours, or missing website link.
• No photos, or only low-quality images.
• No review strategy, and no replies to reviews.

The good news

This isn’t complicated. It’s just overlooked. And when you get it right, it can be one of the fastest ways to show up for local searches and get more calls.

If you want, I can do a quick review of your Google Business Profile and website basics and tell you what to fix first. No pressure. Just practical guidance.