Want to turn Google searchers into customers? Adding Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons to your Google Business Profile is key. These buttons guide users to take actions like booking, calling, or shopping directly from your profile. Here's a quick overview of what you need to know:
CTAs can increase clicks by 28% and conversions by 161%. Start adding them today to make it easy for users to connect with your business.
Before you can start adding call-to-action (CTA) buttons to your Google Business Profile, there are a few key requirements you need to meet. These steps ensure your CTAs function correctly and that you have the proper permissions to update your profile. Once verification is complete and your business details are accurate, you'll be ready to integrate and optimize CTAs.
Verification is a must. To add CTAs to your Google Business Profile, Google requires proof that you’re the legitimate owner or an authorized manager of the business. You’ll need a Google Account to sign up for a Business Profile, and from there, Google will guide you through the verification process. Depending on your business, one or more of the following methods may be available:
For some businesses, multiple verification methods may be required. Keep in mind that mail verification can take several days to complete.
After verification, make sure you have the correct access permissions. Owners have full control over the profile, while managers have limited access. If you’re a new user added to the account, advanced features may take up to 7 days to become available.
Once everything is set up, updating your business details will help maximize the effectiveness of your CTAs.
Accurate and up-to-date business information is critical for CTAs to work properly. For example, a Call Now button needs a functional phone number, while a Book button requires a valid scheduling link. Keeping your details current not only improves CTA performance but also builds trust with potential customers.
Here’s a checklist of the key information to verify and update:
Additionally, a well-written business description can make a big difference. Use this space to highlight what makes your business stand out and encourage customers to take action. For instance: "X Café serves artisan coffee and local pastries, with a focus on sustainability. Stop by for a fresh cup today!"
Be aware that significant changes to your business information, like updating your address or name, might trigger a reverification process. To avoid delays when adding CTAs, try to finalize these details before starting the verification process.
Adding call-to-action (CTA) buttons to your Google Business Profile is a simple process once you know where to navigate. These CTAs are embedded in posts and appear on Google Maps and your business's knowledge panel in search results. Here’s how you can set up your first CTA.
Start by logging into your Google Business Profile dashboard at https://business.google.com/locations or https://business.google.com/dashboard. Alternatively, you can visit www.google.com/business to access the main interface.
Once logged in, select the specific business location you'd like to manage. This step is essential, especially if you oversee multiple locations, as it ensures your CTA is tied to the correct profile and reaches the right audience. After selecting the location, you’ll gain access to tools for managing your profile, including the option to create posts with embedded CTAs.
Now, you’re ready to start crafting your post.
From your dashboard, look for the "Add update" button. Click it to open the post creation interface where you can embed your CTA.
Choose a post type that aligns with your goals. Options usually include Update, Offer, Event, or Product posts. Once you’ve selected the type, fill in the required fields:
For best results, ensure your post’s text complements your CTA and directs users to a relevant landing page. To measure performance, consider adding UTM codes to your URLs. These allow you to track engagement and analyze how users interact with your post.
Before hitting "Publish", take a moment to preview your post. This step ensures that everything - from visuals to links - displays properly. Pay special attention to the functionality of your CTA button and verify that links lead to the intended landing page. Double-check that the landing page is mobile-friendly, as many users will access it from their phones.
Additionally, confirm that your contact details are accurate and align with the CTA. For example, if your button says “Call Now,” ensure the correct phone number is listed.
Once you’re satisfied with the content and functionality, publish your post. Your CTA will now be visible on Google Maps and the knowledge panel for your business.
Keep in mind that most posts expire after seven days, except for offer and event posts, which allow you to set a specific date range. To maintain visibility and engagement, regularly update your content and create fresh CTAs to keep your profile active.
A call-to-action (CTA) isn't just a button or link - it's your direct invitation for users to take action. When designed and positioned well, a CTA can significantly improve engagement and conversions. On the flip side, a poorly executed one can easily fade into the background.
The design of your CTA plays a big role in whether users notice and interact with it. A great CTA stands out while still aligning with your brand's overall look.
Not all CTAs are created equal, and the right one depends on your business goals and where your audience is in their journey.
The key is to ask yourself: What single action would benefit my audience most right now? For example, ClaimCompass customizes its CTAs based on user intent. It starts with "Claim your compensation" for ready buyers, offers "Check if your flight is eligible" for those gathering information, and ends with "Check your flight now" for users who need a final push.
To improve your CTAs, you need to measure how they're performing. Start with tools like Google Business Profile Insights, which track basic metrics such as calls, clicks, and direction requests. For deeper analysis, use UTM parameters to monitor traffic, engagement, and conversions.
Experimentation is key. A/B testing - where you tweak elements like button color, text, or placement - can reveal what resonates most with your audience. Research shows that well-crafted CTAs can boost conversion rates significantly:
One example: PartnerStack saw a 111.55% jump in conversions simply by changing their CTA from "Book A Demo" to "Get Started." Similarly, social media ads with clear CTAs have achieved a 285% higher click-through rate.
For even more insights, third-party tools like Planable, SocialBu, and Moz Local offer advanced tracking and competitor analysis, with plans starting around $15–30 per month. If you're a small business looking to enhance your Google Business Profile, working with services like Humble Help (https://humblehelp.studio) can simplify your digital marketing efforts and help you get the most out of your CTAs.
Even if you follow all the best practices, your call-to-action (CTA) might not work as intended. The good news? Most problems have simple fixes once you identify the root cause.
If your CTA button doesn't show up after posting, it's likely because essential details are missing. For instance, forgetting to include a URL or valid phone number can prevent the button from appearing. This is especially true for "Call Now" buttons - if your phone number isn’t listed in your profile, the button won’t display. As Google explains:
"Make sure that you have already added a contact number in your Google Business Profile listing. If not, the CTA button for 'Call now' will not appear after your post is posted on Google Business Profile." [1]
Another common issue arises when selecting "Part of the post body", which disables the separate CTA button. To fix these problems, ensure you're following Google's guidelines, such as avoiding keyword stuffing or using forwarding URLs, and double-check that your business information is up to date.
Outdated or incorrect contact details can cost you valuable leads. For example, one business displayed an old phone number for years [3]. In another case, a user discovered that while their correct phone number was listed in one section, a different number appeared on the front page [2].
These issues often stem from inconsistencies across your online presence. Google rigorously verifies contact numbers to prevent the use of fake ones. As Niteshkumar Choudhari, a Google Business Profile specialist, explains:
"Currently, Google is facing a lot of issue regarding fake contact number and hence they are verifying it throughly before displying the contact number on the map and search results." [4]
To avoid such problems, always use the international phone number format with your country code and avoid special characters like dashes or parentheses.
If typos in your URL or marketing campaigns lead to incorrect tracking numbers, you can quickly fix this by using the "Suggest an Edit" option on Google Maps. Make sure you're logged into the account that owns the listing so Google can verify your ownership. Keep in mind that updates may take some time to reflect publicly.
If everything appears correct but the problem persists, technical glitches might be the culprit.
When content-related issues are ruled out, technical problems may be to blame. These typically fall into a few categories:
Call-to-actions (CTAs) on your Google Business Profile are a powerful way to drive customer engagement. In fact, buttons on these profiles see 28% more clicks and can increase conversions by an impressive 161% [5][6]. Considering that 88% of smartphone users who search for local businesses visit a related store within a week [6], guiding these potential customers with well-placed CTAs becomes a must.
The most effective CTAs are built around actionable language, clear benefits, and alignment with landing page content. As Bliss Drive marketing experts point out:
"To maximize your CTAs' effectiveness, use actionable and urgent language that aligns with your landing page copy. Highlight a clear value proposition to entice users and create urgency to prompt immediate action." [7]
Where you place your CTA matters just as much as the wording. Your main CTA should be placed prominently, with high-contrast colors to ensure visibility and accessibility, following WCAG standards. And don’t forget the impact of social sharing buttons - customers are 16 times more likely to share products they like when these buttons are available [5].
Another important factor? Keeping your CTAs fresh. Regular updates, such as refreshing offers, maintaining accurate contact details, and engaging with customer reviews, not only enhance CTA performance but also signal to Google that your business is active. This engagement can improve your search visibility.
Ready to take action? Here’s how to start optimizing your profile:
Finally, always test and refine your approach. With 76% of users conducting "near me" searches visiting businesses within a day [6], a well-optimized profile with effective CTAs can turn online searchers into loyal customers.
To get your business verified on Google and start adding call-to-action (CTA) buttons to your Google Business Profile, here’s what you need to do:
Follow the steps provided for your selected method. Once verified, you’ll be able to include CTAs to better connect with your audience.
When crafting call-to-actions (CTAs) for your Google Business Profile, focus on clear and direct language that motivates users to act. Use strong, action-driven verbs like Call Now, Book Today, or Learn More to inspire urgency and encourage immediate engagement.
Make sure your CTA stands out visually by placing it in key spots, such as the header or the conclusion of your posts. Use contrasting colors and easy-to-read fonts to grab attention. Keep the message short and tailored to what your audience needs, ensuring it resonates with them and drives interaction.
For those seeking professional assistance in optimizing their Google Business Profile, partnering with Humble Help could be a smart move. They specialize in local SEO and enhancing profiles to help small businesses thrive.
To check how well your call-to-action (CTA) buttons are doing on your Google Business Profile, start by diving into Google My Business insights. These insights give you valuable data, including click-through rates, call clicks, and requests for directions. This information helps you see how customers are engaging with your profile.
For a more detailed breakdown, you can use tools like Google Analytics. By setting up custom tags and triggers, you can track button clicks and other interactions in greater detail. Regularly reviewing this data allows you to spot patterns, tweak your CTAs, and make sure they’re connecting with your audience. With consistent updates and adjustments, you can ensure your CTAs are working hard to meet your business objectives.
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