Why Google and Apple Business Profiles Matter in Mt. Juliet

Imagine this . . . A family moves to Mt. Juliet and decides they want pizza for dinner. They pull out their phone and search:

“pizza near me” or “pizza mt. juliet” or even “pizza restaurants”

What happens next?

Most people don’t scroll through pages of search results anymore. Instead, they look at the businesses Google and Apple place directly on the map. If your business isn’t showing up there, or if your profile is incomplete, you may be missing customers before they ever visit your website.

And if you’re like me, I might zoom in on the map in Providence so more businesses show up. And other times I’ll zoom out on the map to see if there are more businesses close by. 

Pizza was just the example . . it could be anything . . . tax professional, dog groomer, coffee shop, library . . .

Which means whatever shows up on the map is your main advertising tool. 

Your Google Business Profile Is Your New Storefront

Years ago, your storefront sign was one of the most important marketing tools you had. Remember the motto “Location, location, location”? That’s because it was vital that people see your sign. 

Today, your Google and Apple Business Profile often serves that same purpose. When someone searches for businesses in Mt. Juliet, your profile can display:

• Your business name
• Phone number
• Address
• Website
• Hours of operation
• Photos
• Reviews
• Directions
• Frequently asked questions

For many customers, this information helps them decide whether to contact you before they ever visit your website.

My wife checks the reviews for everything. And I know if I really want to go someplace new, I have to tell her “hey, it has 20 5 star reviews” or something like that. 

Remember the Welcome Wagon?

Mt. Juliet continues to attract new residents, new businesses, and new developments. It seems like there are residential developments everywhere in town, at all time.  Many of these residents have no idea where things are here.

That means local search has become one of the most important ways to generate new business.

If Google and Apple don’t understand what your business does, where you’re located, or who you serve, it becomes much harder for potential customers to find you. 

Think about it. When you search for a business, do you end up going to some place you didn’t know existed? 

Reviews Matter, They Really Do

As I said about my wife, and incidentally my neighbor, when two businesses appear side by side in search results, they compare reviews. 

A business with recent reviews, customer photos, and an active profile tends to build trust much faster than a business with little information. Even a handful of authentic reviews can make a significant difference in how customers perceive your business.

I have never heard my wife, or anyone else, share that they valued a more recent review over an older one, but the Google and Apple algorithms care. 

Get Directions!

One of the best tools for your business is the “get directions” button. You might be really easy to find like Lowe’s on Mt. Juliet Road. But if you’re Red Bicycle Coffee Shop in Mt. Juliet Station, the “get directions” button could be Gold. 

But there’s a hidden benefit to the Get Directions button that most businesses are unaware of. When your customers click “get directions” it tells Google and Apple that real people are visiting your business. The more people who do the more local credibility your business can have. 

Common Google Business Profile Mistakes

We often see businesses make simple mistakes such as:

• Incorrect business hours
• Missing categories
• Outdated photos
• Incomplete descriptions
• No reviews
• No recent updates
• Incorrect contact information

Individually these issues may seem small. But it’s important to remember that the business information is saved in a database . . . like a spreadsheet. So even a small typo would change the way it is read. 

Combined, they can make it much harder for customers to find and trust your business.

The Opportunity for Mt. Juliet Businesses

The good news is that many local businesses still haven’t fully optimized their Google Business Profiles.

That means there is often an opportunity to gain visibility simply by completing the basics better than your competitors.

A strong profile won’t solve every marketing challenge, but it can become one of the most effective tools for attracting local customers.

Need Help With Your Google Business Profile?

At Audience Industries, we’ve spent more than 13 years helping businesses improve their online visibility and grow their audience.

We’re now focused on helping businesses here in Mt. Juliet, Wilson County, and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area.

If you’re unsure whether your Google Business Profile is helping—or hurting—your business, we’d be happy to take a look.

Sometimes a few simple improvements can make a surprisingly large difference.

Email us at danandrachel@audienceindustries.com or text us at 615-804-2846