Want to boost holiday sales with your Google Business Profile (GBP)? Here's what you need to know:
Fast Facts:
Pro Tip: Keep your profile fresh with regular updates to stand out during the busy season. Even small tweaks like accurate hours or festive visuals can make a big difference.
Ready to make your GBP holiday-ready? Let’s dive in!
Keeping your business information accurate and up-to-date is crucial for connecting with seasonal shoppers.
Start by reviewing your business details to ensure everything is accurate and consistent. Double-check your business name, address, phone number, website, and category across all platforms. Consistency not only builds trust with customers but can also improve your local search rankings [1]. Don’t forget to update your operating hours to reflect any changes for the holiday season.
Even if your hours stay the same, it’s a good idea to set special holiday hours to confirm your schedule is correct. Here’s how you can update your holiday hours:
Quick tip: If you’re open past midnight, break those hours into two entries for clarity:
If your business will be closed for more than six consecutive days during the holidays, mark it as "Temporarily closed" instead of using special hours [4][5].
Let your customers know about any updates to your holiday hours using Google Business Profile (GBP) posts. As Matt G. Southern points out, "Google makes it simple to keep your business hours accurate and up-to-date, even on holidays" [5].
"It's a good idea to confirm your hours for official holidays, even if they're the same as your regular hours. This makes it clear to customers that your special hours are accurate." – Google Business Profile Help [4]
Keep in mind that during official holidays, Google may display a "hours may vary" message on your profile [6]. Regularly updating your GBP not only keeps your customers informed but also shows that your business is actively managed, which helps build trust [7].
Once your holiday hours and details are accurate, it's time to spotlight your seasonal products and promotions.
Make sure your product listings reflect the holiday season. Here's what to focus on:
Consider using schema markup to enhance your search visibility and help potential customers find your products faster.
Tailor your services to meet seasonal demands. Highlight offerings that resonate with holiday shoppers. For example:
| Business Type | Summer Category | Winter/Holiday Category |
|---|---|---|
| Landscaping | Landscaping | Snow Plowing |
| HVAC | Air Conditioning Contractor | Heating Contractor |
| Lighting | Landscape Lighting | Holiday Lighting |
Additional services to feature might include:
Use Google Posts to promote your holiday sales and limited-time offers. When crafting these posts, make sure to:
For better visibility, create event and offer posts with specific date ranges - these will stay active throughout the promotion period [8]. Incorporate holiday-related keywords into your business descriptions to improve your chances of appearing in seasonal searches [3].
Regularly updating your profile with seasonal content can boost engagement during the holidays. Keep things fresh by swapping out cover photos and updating menus to showcase your latest seasonal specials [3]. By aligning your products and services with the holiday season, you create a well-rounded and engaging profile that draws in holiday shoppers.
Did you know that businesses with over 100 images on their Google Business Profile receive 520% more calls and 2,717% more direction requests compared to the average business? [10]. That’s a massive difference, and it highlights just how important visuals are for attracting customers.
Once you’ve updated your holiday products and offers, make your profile even more appealing by adding seasonal photos. Businesses that include photos see 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks [2]. So, it’s worth the effort!
Store Atmosphere
Product Presentation
"Design and visual cues make all the difference in holiday brand strategy. Less is often more, so keep it simple, fun, and easy for your audience to digest." - Acolad [13]
Videos add life to your holiday offerings and can help customers connect with your brand on a deeper level.
Video Content Ideas
For example, a well-thought-out video campaign can incorporate holiday traditions that appeal to a wide range of audiences [11]. To keep your branding consistent, use the same filters, styles, and colors across all your holiday content [12]. Regularly updating your visuals throughout the season ensures your profile stays fresh and engaging [9].
Once your visuals are in place, focus on boosting customer interaction by managing your holiday reviews.
Customer reviews play a pivotal role during the holiday season - 85% of shoppers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations [16].
The holidays are a prime time for collecting reviews, with 76% of customers willing to leave feedback when asked [14].
Make It Easy for Customers to Leave Reviews
"Positive reviews from awesome customers like you help others - whether they’re athletes, parents, artists, or anyone else - feel confident about choosing [business name]. Could you take 60 seconds to visit [link to review platform] and share your happy experiences?" [14]
Time Your Review Requests Wisely
Once you’ve gathered feedback, responding quickly is key to making the most of it.
After collecting reviews, timely responses are critical. With 53% of consumers expecting businesses to reply within seven days [17], being prompt can make all the difference.
Tips for Effective Review Responses
| Review Type | Response Time | Key Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | 24–48 hours | Thank the customer by name and mention a specific holiday experience. |
| Neutral | Within 48 hours | Address concerns and highlight any holiday-specific improvements. |
| Negative | Within 24 hours | Show empathy and work to resolve the issue offline. |
Responding consistently can increase review volume by 12% [16]. Plus, improving your average star rating by just 1.5 stars could lead to as many as 13,000 additional leads [14].
For instance, Ruokaboksi saw a 37% sales boost after using a pop-up featuring customer reviews [doc]. Additionally, nine out of ten customers are more likely to overlook a negative review if the business responds appropriately [18]. During the holiday rush, prioritize:
"Remember, the holidays can be stressful for customers too. Going the extra mile to create a memorable experience during this time can leave a lasting positive impression." – Chatmeter Team [15]
Humble Help simplifies review management with specialized Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization, helping you maintain a strong reputation during the holidays. Efficient review management is a vital piece of your GBP holiday strategy.
Once you've updated your profile and managed reviews, the next step is to track how your efforts are paying off. Keeping an eye on your Google Business Profile (GBP) performance is crucial - especially since 78% of consumers search for local businesses online more than once a week [19].
You can access GBP insights by navigating to "Performance with Google Search" or "Promote" followed by "Performance with Google Maps" on your Business Profile [22].
Key Metrics to Watch:
| Metric Type | What to Track | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Total searches, discovery vs. direct | Understand how customers are finding your business |
| Engagement | Website clicks, phone calls, direction requests | Gauge customer interest and intent |
| Conversion | Bookings, messages, product views | Measure actual customer actions |
| Reputation | Average rating, review count | Reflects customer satisfaction |
These insights can guide the seasonal adjustments mentioned earlier. Focus on:
"Google gives plenty of useful metrics for tracking performance, and I'd say the most crucial of them is the 'Searches' metric. You can gather the queries people use to find your business and then optimize based on those keywords."
After analyzing your performance data, make adjustments to maximize the impact of high-performing elements. With 28% of local searches leading to purchases [19], fine-tuning your campaigns can make a big difference.
Ways to Optimize:
Refining Your Content:
It's also helpful to compare this year's metrics with last year's data to spot trends and refine your approach further [20]. These adjustments complete the cycle for a successful holiday campaign.
For extra assistance, you might want to check out Humble Help. Their GBP optimization services can help you analyze these metrics and implement data-driven strategies to get the most out of your holiday campaigns.
Keeping your Google Business Profile (GBP) updated can significantly boost your holiday sales. With 75% of holiday shoppers actively searching for promotions throughout the season [27], ensuring your profile is accurate and engaging is key to drawing in local customers.
Quick Holiday Optimization Checklist:
This list is a quick reminder of the strategies discussed earlier. Even small errors, like incorrect hours, can hurt your reputation - 48% of consumers lose trust in businesses with inaccurate details [25].
"High-quality, positive reviews from your customers can improve your business visibility and increase the likelihood that a shopper will visit your location." - Google [26]
If managing your GBP feels overwhelming, services like Humble Help offer professional support. Their mix of marketing know-how and AI tools can enhance your local visibility and engagement through smart profile management.
Don’t miss out on early shoppers - 59% of people decide on gifts before December [27]. Regular updates can make all the difference in standing out this holiday season.
To get the most out of Google Posts during the holiday season, focus on crafting festive and eye-catching content that highlights your promotions. Share updates about special discounts, limited-time deals, or exclusive offers to capture attention and drive action. Adding holiday-themed visuals or coupon codes can help your posts pop and feel more in tune with the season.
Google Posts are also a great way to spotlight seasonal products or events. Whether you're announcing holiday sales, showcasing new arrivals, or promoting local community events, these updates can help you connect with nearby customers. Consistently refreshing your posts keeps your profile active and boosts your visibility in local searches - especially during the busy holiday shopping rush. Keep your messaging simple, direct, and focused on what matters most to your audience.
Managing customer reviews during the holiday season can make a big difference in shaping your brand's reputation. Start by encouraging customers to share their experiences. A direct request right after a purchase works well, or you might offer small perks like a discount or an exclusive deal to motivate them. A steady stream of reviews not only boosts your credibility but also builds trust with potential customers.
Make it a priority to respond to reviews quickly and thoughtfully. Show appreciation for positive feedback with a heartfelt thank-you, and approach negative reviews with empathy and a focus on solutions. Addressing concerns in a constructive way demonstrates your dedication to quality service and leaves a lasting impression on anyone reading.
Finally, keep a close eye on your online presence. Look for patterns in the feedback you receive and adapt your approach to better meet customer expectations. Staying proactive with reviews ensures your business maintains a polished and trustworthy image throughout the bustling holiday season.
The holiday season is a hectic time for businesses, and your Google Business Profile (GBP) can play a crucial role in connecting with customers. Start by diving into key performance metrics like total searches, profile views, and customer actions - such as calls or requests for directions. These numbers give you a clearer picture of how people are interacting with your business and reveal trends that can shape your strategy.
Next, make sure your profile is ready for the season. Update your business hours to reflect any holiday changes, highlight seasonal promotions, and stay on top of customer reviews by responding quickly. Accurate, engaging information not only boosts your visibility but also helps build trust with potential customers. Small tweaks like these can go a long way in attracting more holiday shoppers and driving sales during this busy time.
Discover strategies to elevate your business.
