For local businesses, your Google Business Profile can be one of the first places a potential customer encounters your company.

Before visiting your website, someone may see your business name, location, reviews, photos, hours, services, and other information directly in Google.

That means your online presence does not begin with your website.

Your Google Business Profile, website, reviews, advertisements, social profiles, and other digital touchpoints work together to shape the customer's first impression.

Keeping your profile accurate is therefore important.

Business information should be current. Services should be represented accurately. Photos should reflect the actual business. Reviews should be monitored and responded to appropriately.

Your website and Google Business Profile should also tell a consistent story.

If your Google profile says one thing while your website communicates something completely different, customers may have more questions instead of fewer.

A strong local presence is built from consistency across the entire customer journey.