--- title: "Google Business Profile Tips NZ | Virtual Innovation" description: "Seven practical ways to improve your Google Business Profile, from accurate details and categories to reviews, photos and a useful website." canonical: "https://virtualinnovation.co.nz/google-places/" language: en-NZ --- [Skip to content](#main-content) On this page Quick answer Google Places is now Google Business Profile. Start with accurate business details, a relevant category and a website that answers customer questions. Keep the profile useful and measure enquiries, rather than treating updates as a ranking shortcut. ![How To Win On Google Places – 7 Tips article image for Virtual Innovation](/blog-images/google-places.png) How To Win On Google Places – 7 Tips article image for Virtual Innovation Google Places is the older name many business owners still use for Google Business Profile. It is the business listing people can encounter in Google Search and Maps. If yours has an old phone number, unclear services or the wrong opening hours, a potential customer can get the wrong impression before reaching your website. Here are seven practical checks for a New Zealand business. The aim is to help the right person understand your business and contact you with confidence. ## 1\. Check ownership and your real business details Make sure your business controls the account, even if an agency helps manage it. Use your real business name and accurate contact details. Follow Google’s requirements for your address or service area; do not add locations just to appear in more suburbs. See [Google’s business representation guidelines](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177). Keep a simple record of who has access. That saves a scramble when a staff member leaves or a provider changes. ## 2\. Choose categories that describe what you actually do Pick a primary category that reflects your core business and use additional categories only where they fit. The old advice about filling five category slots is not a sound way to choose them. [Google recommends using the fewest categories needed to describe the business](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177). ## 3\. Explain your services in ordinary language Write for someone who has never heard of you. Explain what you offer, who it is for and the area you genuinely serve. Avoid a string of suburb names or promotional claims that say little about the work. For example, a builder could explain whether they handle renovations, new homes or both. A customer should not have to call simply to find out whether the service fits. ## 4\. Check where your website link takes people Open it on your phone. Can you find the relevant service, see evidence of the work and make an enquiry? Is the phone number the same as the one on your profile? A good listing cannot compensate for an unclear landing page. Our [website messaging guide](/getting-your-messaging-right-website-message/) gives you a short structure for making that page more useful. ## 5\. Keep hours and photos current Check public holidays, seasonal changes and any temporary closure. Use photos that help visitors recognise your team, premises or work. Google’s [local ranking guidance](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091) recommends accurate information and useful photos. Adding an image should serve a customer purpose rather than an imagined activity score. ## 6\. Make review feedback part of your process Invite honest feedback after real customer work and respond thoughtfully. Read recurring comments for ideas about what to improve or explain better. Google’s [guidance on reviews and local ranking](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091) describes their role, but no particular review count guarantees a position. ## 7\. Review useful actions, not just views Keep a short monthly note of enquiries and the questions new customers ask. Where reporting is available, compare website visits and calls with actual leads. A busy profile is useful when it supports the sort of work you want to win. Google explains that local results depend mainly on relevance, distance and prominence. There is no way to pay Google for a better organic local position. Read the [official explanation of local ranking](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091). ## Put your profile and website to work together Start by fixing incorrect details, then strengthen the service page people land on. Use our [New Zealand directory checklist](/top-10-nz-business-directories/) to review other places your details appear. If you would like a hand deciding what deserves attention first, explore our [local SEO and GEO support](/search-engine-optimisation/). We can review the website and search basics together and agree a useful next step. Keep reading - [Local SEO and GEO services ](/search-engine-optimisation/) - [NZ business directory checklist ](/top-10-nz-business-directories/) - [Website design for your business ](/ai-powered-websites/) Need a hand? ## Let’s make your website work harder. Tell us what is slow, clunky or costing you leads. We will show you a practical next step. [Book an intro call ](https://go.virtualinnovation.co.nz/widget/bookings/discovery-call-vi) [Free consultation](https://go.virtualinnovation.co.nz/widget/bookings/discovery-call-vi)