- Key Takeaways
- What is a GBP URL?
- Find Your GBP URL
- Why Your URL Matters
- Strategic URL Placement
- The Custom “Short Name” URL
- Common URL Pitfalls
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Google Business Profile (GBP) URL?
- How do I find my Google Business Profile URL?
- Why is my GBP URL important for my business in Los Angeles?
- Where should I use my GBP URL for the best results?
- What is a custom “short name” URL on Google Business?
- Can I change my Google Business Profile URL?
- What are common mistakes with GBP URLs?
Key Takeaways
- A Google Business Profile (GBP) URL provides customers with a shortcut to your business listing on Google Maps, simplifying the process of accessing important details such as your address and phone number.
- Distributing your GBP URL on email signatures, website footers, QR codes and invoices can increase local awareness and direct more local traffic to your business.
- Unlike a review link, the GBP URL is a full business profile, which helps customers visualize more than just reviews and builds greater trust.
- So make sure you check and routinely update your GBP URL to keep it accurate, as broken or outdated links from third-party sources can really damage your business’s good name and marketing efforts.
- Having a custom short name for your GBP URL is more memorable to your customers, which improves engagement and makes your brand look consistent across platforms.
- As well as enhancing your reputation, using your GBP URL strategically in digital and print marketing material assists in solidifying your brand and encourages more powerful local SEO.
A Google Business Profile URL is the direct link to a business’s profile on Google Search or Maps. In the US, businesses use this URL to share their listing with customers, so people can easily find hours, location, reviews, photos and contact info. To utilize the URL, simply copy it from your Google Business dashboard or from your Maps listing. When you share this link, it helps customers receive quick updates and allows them to leave feedback or ask questions. Theish explains in the main body below how to locate, copy, and use your Google Business Profile URL and why it’s important for local reach and trust with your customers.
What is a GBP URL?
As you may already know, a business review URL is a direct link to your listing on Google Maps. This unique URL pulls up your profile, displaying essential business information like your address, phone, and hours all in one place. It gets local customers to your business quickly, which is critical for local traffic, and allows customers to engage easily—whether that’s calling, getting directions or reading updates.
The Direct Link
A GBP URL serves as a one-stop-shop for your business on Google Maps. Anyone who clicks it lands right on your profile, from which they can see your location, contact info and photos. It reduces effort to achieve success as it allows users to get everything they need without having to seek or click through additional pages.
It’s convenient to have one clean link to share. You can post it on your website, emails, or social media. Business will generally use this URL on their email signature or Facebook page to help people find them with 1 click. To grab your GBP URL, simply visit your Google Maps listing, click “Share” and copy the link under the “Send a link” tab.
Not a Review Link
We know a GBP URL isn’t the same as a review link. The review link takes folks directly to the review page, but the GBP URL displays the entire business profile. That encompasses reviews, but the entire spectrum of business information—services, operating hours, photos, updates, and so forth.
Because directing people to the complete profile lets them more of a sense about your business, not just what other people say about you. It means they can call or go to your site, not just review. Understanding the distinction allows you to employ the appropriate link for the appropriate task.
The URL Structure
A typical GBP URL looks like this: https://goo.gl/maps/ followed by a unique series of letters and numbers. Occasionally it even has your business name and location, which adds an element of trust since customers can see it’s your real profile.
Businesses are able to select a short name for their GBP URL, but it must be unique, 5-32 characters in length, and only contain letters, numbers, and periods. This simplifies sharing and gets people to remember it. More than 90% of business profiles use the homepage as the website link, but if you have more than two locations, link to location-specific pages for optimal results.
Practical Uses
Use your GBP URL to embed your GBP widget on your website with free tools.
It helps control your online presence, but it’s only one tool.
SHAREABLE AND UPDATEABLE.
Find Your GBP URL
Your GBP URL serves as a unique link to your Google Maps business listing, enhancing your local business visibility. This URL not only simplifies how local customers access your business profile but also supports effective marketing campaigns, boosting your online reputation and driving traffic to your business website.
- Go to Google Maps on your device.
- Type your exact business name in the search bar.
- Click your business from the list of results.
- On your profile, tap the “Share” button.
- Copy the link shown in the pop-up window.
- Verify the link is going to your correct profile.
- Use it in email signatures, social media, and beyond.
1. Access Profile
Begin with Google Maps by typing your business name into its search field. This is essential– just spell the name the same as on your GBP profile.
Make sure you’re reviewing the correct business. There are tons of businesses with similar names, especially in major urban areas like LA or NYC. Always check your logo, address, and contact information before you go. By finding the right profile you avoid directing customers to somebody else’s page. Prior to posting the link, check that all of your business information is up to date—hours, address, services.
2. Locate Share
Locate the “Share” button on your business profile page—it’s conveniently located just below your business name and essential business information. The ‘Share’ button presents a pop-up with your direct GBP URL, located in the ‘link to share’ bar. This feature enhances your local search visibility, making it easy to share your unique URL for marketing campaigns, without having to request a review immediately.
3. Copy Link
Copy the ‘Link to Share’ URL in the pop-up and save this unique URL for immediate access, perhaps in your phone notes or on your desktop. By saving the link, you can access it whenever you wish to post to social media platforms or insert it into your business website. Distribute this link everywhere—Facebook, Instagram, emails—to enhance your online visibility and potentially gain more reviews from local customers.
4. Verify Destination
Open the copied link in your browser to verify it directs to your proper business profile. Double-check the unique URL before you post it online. Scan your business info for errors or stale information to enhance your local search visibility.
Why Your URL Matters
Your GBP URL isn’t merely a hyperlink; it serves as a vital business page that defines how local customers discover, believe in, and engage with your local business online. Several key factors make this URL more than just a web address.
A correct GBP url gets them the right info quick, such as directions, hours and reviews. This enhances user experience and supports climbing your business in local searches.
A simple, clean URL appears more professional. This cultivates confidence and legitimacy, particularly when distributed through platforms like social media or email.
Having the same URL everywhere makes your business look like a brand.
A GBP URL that links to a specific page (such as a service page or product page) can assist your profile in ranking for those terms.
When your GBP URL is accessible, more will be inclined to review, and that’s a great way to influence potential customers because 6 is the average number of reviews people read before visiting a business.
When you add your GBP URL on your social pages it can increase traffic as well as reviews–63% of buyers say that has an impact on their decision.
Nicely managed, a URL will keep your biz info current, keeping customers delighted and returning.
Local SEO Signal
Weak | Low |
Moderate | Average |
Strong | High |
A strong GBP URL is a crucial asset for local businesses focusing on local SEO performance. The more relevant your profile is for certain search terms, the better it appears in local search results. By tuning your profile and linking the URL to an essential business information page, you increase your chances of attracting more local customers. In other words, effective local SEO strategies bring you more business from those physically nearby searching for your products or services.
Customer Trust
A reliable GBP URL, which serves as an essential business information tool, provides reassurance for local customers. They recognize that they’re looking at authorized details direct from your local business. Reliable and comprehensive information, from reviews to pictures, creates a stronger brand and enhances online visibility. Clear details, such as accurate timings and locations, help consumers trust what they read, ultimately converting searchers into purchasers.
Brand Consistency
A recognizable URL is much simpler to recall and find in a multitude of links. Be consistent. Use the same link in ads and email sigs and social posts.
This consistency tells customers they’re in the right place every time they click. Over time, it builds loyalty and keeps your brand top of mind.
Why Management Counts
Fresh URLs don’t confuse. Easy links to your business page equal more reviews. Trust is built on trustworthy business info. Stale URLs lose you local customers.
Strategic URL Placement
Strategically placing your GBP URL not only helps customers find you, it helps with local SEO as well. Smart URLs tie your offline and online campaigns together and pull in more reviews and higher engagement. Page optimization for multi-location businesses, it’s not feasible to include all of the city keywords in page titles so it’s vital to link GBP profiles to location pages. If you have one or two locations, linking your GBP to the homepage is usually sufficient. Most US businesses follow suit, with 90%+ using their homepage as the GBP website URL.
Creative ways to add your GBP URL in marketing:
- Add to business cards, print ads, and direct mailers
- Print on receipts, menus, or packaging
- Share in social media bios and posts
- Include in digital newsletters and text message campaigns
- Display in store windows or at checkout counters
- Use on appointment cards or event posters
Email Signatures
Including your GBP URL in email signatures is an easy way to increase its exposure. It places your profile a click away for each customer you email.
Uniform signatures for staff maintains this resource, and your brand message, front and center. Not only can this strategy send more traffic to your GBP, but you might get more reviews and more engagement from your typical email blasts.
Website Footers
Strategically positioning the GBP URL in your website’s footer ensures it remains accessible on every page. This assists visitors in locating your business information quickly, regardless of the page they are on.
It’s clever to review and revise the footer if your handle or URL changes. Easy access to your GBP from your website aids search rankings and assists customers seeking local info.
QR Codes
QR codes to your GBP URL allow people to scan and link to your profile with their phone. This can come in handy for flyers, posters, or business cards.
You can incorporate these QR codes into brochures, event banners, and even on packaging. It’s an easy way to connect print and digital marketing, helping people leave reviews or get directions.
Invoices
Adding your GBP URL to invoices provides customers a means to engage after purchase. They can review or verify information for their next visit.
It’s a slick trick for turning mundane forms into marketing leverage. This tiny step keeps your business top of mind and can increase retention.
The Custom “Short Name” URL
A custom short name for a business page URL makes it easy for people to find and remember a local business online. By selecting a short name, a business can form a direct link such as “g.page/YourShortName,” which is distinctive compared to the typical URL with long, random letters and numbers. Short names must be a minimum of 5 characters but can extend to 32. It has to be something unique. Just letters, numbers, and periods keep selections neat and avoid strange characters. This simplicity makes a short name easy to type, share, or print.
Having a short name helps customers recall how to find a business’s profile more effectively. For instance, your local LA coffee shop could use “g.page/LAJava” as its short name—much easier to remember than a random URL. When names are short and catchy, they stick in people’s minds. The advantage extends beyond memory; it can also fuel word of mouth (WOM) marketing. You can share the short name verbally, print it on flyers, or include it on receipts. It works well on business cards, menus, or even in radio jingles, enhancing the local search visibility of your business.
Marketing a custom URL is crucial for any business seeking an effective marketing campaign. When a business has a consistent, easy link in all its marketing—be it social posts, ads, or email signatures—customers know exactly where to go. This strategy keeps all the traffic in one place and aids in building online reputation. It’s easier to share a short name in campaigns, whether for a local event or an online contest, since people are more likely to get it right when they type it in.
Well, first, it’s good to remember a couple things. As of 2019 July 11, Google warned against quick creation of a short name. There’s a danger–lots of profiles were suspended after they established short names. If you do decide to claim one, choose it correctly the first time, because you can only alter your short name three times annually. The process is simple: go to the menu, click “Info,” then “Add profile short name,” and enter your choice. If the profile is suspended, the appeal can take 2–3 weeks to process.
Common URL Pitfalls
It feels like a no brainer to control your GBP URL, yet there are critical errors that can damage your business online. Whether or not you keep your link up-to-date and pick the right page matters a lot, especially for folks searching in your area. Here’s a quick checklist of common slip-ups and how to avoid them:
First, always look to see that your URL is correct and still functional. Old or broken links can lead visitors astray and damage credibility quickly. If your business has multiple locations, link to location specific pages, not just your homepage. Most businesses–90%+–use their homepage as the primary URL, but this makes it difficult to rank for searches in every location you serve. If you just use a one homepage, people can’t locate the store or office near them and local traffic is lost.
If you are a restaurant, keep in mind menu URLs should be hard and not links to external delivery sites. Google wants visitors to view your menu, not some third party’s. So too for service-area businesses. Don’t provide a “virtual” office address unless it’s manned during hours. Google may remove or suspend profiles that violate this guideline.
Don’t use special characters or legalese in your profile name unless you can PROVE that’s how your name appears everywhere else. This can help avoid confusion or problems with Google’s guidelines. For companies with departments or sub-brands, it’s preferable to create separate profiles if services vary. That way, each division or brand can appear in appropriate searches.
One pitfall many miss is ending with a brief business description. This misses opportunities to include keywords and context, which can increase your search ranking. Complete as much info as possible, employing simple verbiage your customers employ.
Validate your business URL regularly. Run audits every few months to catch errors or old links, and update immediately if things change—moving, opening a new branch, dropping a service, etc. This keeps your profile crisp, establishes trust, and assists local people discover you.
Conclusion
Simply put, your Google Business Profile URL is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for your local hustle. People in L.A. Are staring at links every day, but a nice, neat GBP URL pops! Pop it on your site, splash it on your socials, drop it in your email—people see it right away and immediately know where to head. Avoid the standard blunders, such as dead links or ugly urls, and make it seamless for your audience. A simple, short URL drives more clicks and makes it easier for people to recall your location. Have a business in LA? Don’t hesitate. Tidy up your google business profile url and use it everywhere you can. So stay sharp, keep it simple, and let your link do the talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Google Business Profile (GBP) URL?
Think of it as the online address for your local business on Google, enhancing your online visibility. It makes it simple for local customers to discover your business on Google Search and Maps.
How do I find my Google Business Profile URL?
Open your Google Business Profile, hit “View on Search” or “View on Maps,” and copy the link from your browser’s address bar. This unique URL serves as your business page.
Why is my GBP URL important for my business in Los Angeles?
A GBP URL enhances local search visibility, helping local customers discover your business while increasing online reputation and exposure in LA.
Where should I use my GBP URL for the best results?
Add your Google Business Profile (GBP) URL to your website, email signature, and social media profiles. This boosts online visibility and helps direct local customers to your business page.
What is a custom “short name” URL on Google Business?
A customized ‘short name’ URL serves as a memorable link for your business page, enhancing online visibility and making it easy to share with local customers.
Can I change my Google Business Profile URL?
You can modify your custom short name, which is vital for your online visibility, but regular GBP URLs created by Google cannot be changed. Selecting your short name is crucial for branding your local business.
What are common mistakes with GBP URLs?
Typical errors include posting broken links or failing to update URLs after changes, such as using long, cryptic URLs instead of your business page’s custom short name. ALWAYS check your link!