Your Google Business Profile is the first impression potential customers have of your business. One of the most important aspects of this profile is the images you post. High-quality, relevant images can boost your profile’s visibility, engage viewers, and enhance your brand’s image. However, poor-quality or irrelevant images can turn customers away.
So, here are some essential tips on how to post the best images on your Google Business Profile to bring you referrals.
- Focus on Image Quality. You cannot post poor-quality, blurry, dark, or grainy images! High-resolution, crisp images will attract attention and create a professional impression. Blurry or pixelated images may be rejected by Google and can also reflect poorly on your brand’s professionalism.
How to get high-quality images:
- Use a high-resolution camera or a modern smartphone.
- Use proper lighting to avoid dark or overexposed shots. Natural lighting works best.
- Edit your photos to adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness, but avoid over-editing, which can make images look unnatural.
Google recommends uploading images in the profile that are at least 720 x 720 pixels in size, with a file size of no more than 5MB. JPEG and PNG formats work best for this platform. (720 x 540 are recommended for updates.)
- Highlight Your Products and Services. Your images should accurately represent the products (services) that you offer. If you manage a restaurant, post photos of your most popular dishes, the interior ambiance, and any special events you host. If you offer catering services, show your team in action, working with clients or performing key tasks.
Tips for professional images:
- Diversity of images: Show different aspects of your business. Include pictures of your products, your workspace, and your team members. (Make sure that you get written consent to post images of your staff members.)
- Consistency: Your images should be consistent with your brand’s visual identity (e.g., logo colors, filters, or backgrounds).
- Context: Show your products or services in use. For example, a retail store could highlight a customer using or wearing a product to give viewers an idea of how it looks or functions in real life.
- Optimize Image Composition. Well-composed photos stand out from the crowd. Be sure to consider the balance, perspective, and layout of your images that will improve their overall appeal and impact.
Tips for better composition:
- Rule of Thirds: You have a grid with two horizontal and two vertical lines, dividing the image into nine sections. Place the main subject where the lines intersect for a more balanced and visually appealing shot.
- Focus on the subject: Make sure that the subject of your photo is clear and central. Avoid overly busy backgrounds or objects that might distract the viewer.
- Use depth and angles: Avoid flat, straight-on images. Experiment with angles and perspectives to add dimension to your photos. For example, shooting slightly from above or below can make a product or space look more dynamic.
4. Post Consistently. Like other social platforms, regular and consistent updates on your Google Business Profile keep your audience engaged and signal to Google that your business is active. Posting new images regularly keeps your profile fresh and provides potential customers with the latest visuals of your products, services, and business environment.
What to post:
- Seasonal updates: Show how your business is celebrating holidays or adapting to seasonal trends.
- New products or services: Every time you introduce a new product or service, post a high-quality image to showcase it.
- Special events: If your business is hosting or participating in any events, post images to highlight these activities.
- Before and after shots: If applicable to your business (e.g., home improvement or beauty services), show before-and-after photos to highlight the impact of your work.
- Use coupons or special offers: Post coupons or special offers just as you do with other social media. Google loves specials!
- Leverage User-Generated Content. Encourage your customers to take and share photos of your business. Customer photos provide authentic representations of your brand and carry more credibility than professional photos. Google Business Profile allows customers to upload images directly to your profile, and these can help attract more attention.
How to encourage user-generated content:
- Request customer photos in post-purchase emails or during checkout.
- Offer incentives like discounts or giveaways for customers who post photos and tag your business.
- Make your space “Instagrammable” by adding visually appealing décor or backdrops that inspire people to snap a picture.
- Avoid Stock Photos. Stock photos might look professional but they are generic or inauthentic. Google does not like stock photos! In fact, they may reject any and all types of stock images. Instead, people want to see real representations of your business. Google’s algorithm wants original content. Unique images of your business will improve your profile’s visibility.
So, take your own photos or hire a professional photographer. Authenticity makes your profile stand out. (And may help you avoid being put on suspension.)
- Regularly Update Your Cover and Profile Photos. Your cover and profile photos are the most prominent images on your Google Business Profile. These should be updated regularly to reflect your current offerings and brand aesthetics.
Best practices:
- Choose a profile photo that clearly represents your logo or branding.
- Select a cover photo that showcases a key aspect of your business, such as the storefront, a signature product, or an appealing interior shot.
- Use high-resolution images which are consistent with your brand image.
Reference research data from search engine land and link to Loebig ink blog…
9. Set a goal to publish at least 100 photos over the course of one or two months. Research by Search Engine Land and Bright Local that shows profiles with 100+ photos get 520% more calls than the average business! Your Google Business Profile should have photos of your business offices, products, staff, and other pertinent images. The photo section should be refreshed with new images monthly.
Your Google Business Profile images are a key component of your online presence, helping you stand out in local search results and attract potential customers. Implement these tips, and your profile may have more visibility, credibility, and customer engagement!
We can set up, optimize, and post on your Google Business Profile as it is crucial to any search engine optimization strategy. It can bring your company leads and help people find you more accessible from their smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Loebig Ink offers Google Business Profile Setup and Management Services. For more information and a free consultation, contact us today.
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