If someone searches “pet store near me,” what shows up?
Hopefully—you.
But if your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) isn’t fully set up and optimized, you could be missing out on customers who are actively looking for what you offer. This quick guide is here to help you fix that.
Here’s how to create a profile that actually brings more pet parents through your doors.
Go to google.com/business and follow the steps to claim your listing or create a new one. Google will ask you to verify the business, usually by mail, phone, or email. This step is crucial—an unverified profile won’t show up in Maps or search results.
✅ Pro tip: Make sure you’re signed in with the email you want tied to the business for long-term access.
Google loves complete profiles. So do your customers.
Fill in your:
Even one mismatch—like hours listed differently on Yelp and Google—can confuse search engines and hurt your visibility.
Your primary category should match what you’re best known for (e.g. “Pet Store”). Then, add secondary categories that reflect other services like “Pet Groomer,” “Pet Supply Store,” or “Dog Training.”
Also, check off relevant attributes like:
These help you show up when people use filters in Maps or Search.
This is your chance to tell your story. Keep it natural, but use specific keywords that locals might search for—like:
“We’re a family-run pet store in Boise specializing in raw food, healthy treats, and personalized service for every dog and cat who walks through our door.”
Avoid keyword stuffing. Just be real and helpful.
Pictures are a huge trust signal. Add:
Update your photos regularly—it shows Google (and your customers) that you’re active.
🐶 Bonus idea: Post before-and-after grooming pics or quick videos of dogs picking out their favorite treat.
Google lets you showcase your offerings directly in your profile. This is especially valuable if someone searches for a specific product or brand.
Add:
This helps you rank for brand-name and product-specific searches. Think: “Steve’s Real Food near me.”
Google Posts are like mini social media updates for your listing.
Use them to share:
Posts show customers that you’re active—and they can improve your ranking.
Ask happy customers to leave a review. You can use a short link (Google provides one in your dashboard), print a QR code at checkout, or send a follow-up text or email.
Then respond to every review—positive or negative. This shows you care and helps build trust.
💬 Tip: Keep your responses friendly, authentic, and helpful. Don’t copy/paste a generic reply.
The Q&A section lets customers ask questions—and you can answer them before anyone else does. Think of it like an FAQ right on your profile.
Also, enable messaging so people can text you directly through Google. It’s especially handy for quick questions like “Do you carry goat milk?” or “What time do you close today?”
Google provides helpful analytics under the “Insights” tab:
Use this info to keep your profile relevant and updated—especially during seasonal shifts or after launching new products.
Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful (and free!) tools to grow your foot traffic. With just a little attention and upkeep, you can show up more often, rank higher, and give local pet parents every reason to choose your store over the big-box chains.
So go ahead—log into your profile, make a few updates, and give your online storefront the love it deserves.
🐾 You’re not just showing up in search—you’re standing out.