Make it easy for holiday customers to find, trust and contact your business.
The holiday season can bring changes to business hours, special promotions and customer demand. Before the season becomes busy, take time to review the information customers see when they find your business on Google.
A complete and accurate Google Business Profile can help customers understand what you offer, find your location and contact your business. Use this Google Business Profile holiday checklist to prepare for the weeks ahead.
1. Add Holiday and Special Hours
Update your profile if your business will open late, close early or remain closed on a holiday.
Google allows businesses to add special hours without changing their regular schedule. Confirm your hours for each major holiday, even if they remain the same. This reassures customers that the information is current.
If you operate by appointment, make sure your profile clearly reflects how customers should schedule a visit.
2. Confirm Your Contact Information
Review your:
Business name
Address or service area
Telephone number
Website address
Regular business hours
Call the listed telephone number and select the website link to make sure both work correctly. If you have moved, changed numbers or expanded your service area, update the profile before holiday customers begin searching.
3. Review Services and Categories
Your primary business category should accurately describe your main service. Add appropriate secondary categories when they genuinely represent the business.
Review the services listed on your profile and add any important options that are missing. Remove services you no longer provide.
Detailed, accurate information helps customers determine whether your business meets their needs.
4. Add Current Photographs
Photographs can show customers what to expect before they visit or contact you.
Consider adding recent images of:
Your storefront or office
Products and services
Employees at work
Completed projects
Seasonal displays
Updated signage
Use clear, well-lit photographs that accurately represent the business. Avoid relying entirely on old images uploaded several years ago.
5. Publish Seasonal Updates
Use Google Business Profile updates to share useful holiday information.
You might publish:
Holiday hours
Seasonal services
Special events
Important deadlines
Gift ideas
Appointment availability
Temporary changes
Keep the message concise and include an appropriate link or call to action. Remove or replace information after it is no longer relevant.
6. Respond to Customer Reviews
Reviews can influence whether a potential customer chooses your business.
Respond professionally to both positive and negative feedback. Thank customers for positive reviews without repeating the same response every time. When addressing a concern, remain calm and invite the customer to continue the conversation privately when appropriate.
Never argue with a reviewer or reveal confidential customer information.
7. Test Appointment and Contact Links
Select every appointment, order, reservation and contact link displayed on your profile.
Make sure each one leads to the correct page and works properly on a mobile device. Customers may move on to another business if they encounter a broken link or complicated scheduling process.
8. Review Profile Performance
Google Business Profile performance can provide information about calls, website clicks, directions and bookings.
Compare recent performance with previous periods. Look for changes in customer activity and determine which profile features are generating meaningful interactions.
Use this information to guide future updates rather than focusing only on profile views.
9. Compare Your Profile With Your Website
Your website and Google Business Profile should display consistent information.
Compare your address, telephone number, hours, services and service area. If one platform contains outdated information, customers may become confused or lose confidence in the business.
Prepare Your Business for Holiday Searches
A well-maintained profile makes it easier for customers to find accurate information when they need it.
Red Canary Marketing provides Local SEO & Google Business Profile services, Reputation & Review Management and digital marketing support for businesses throughout North Alabama.
Need help improving your local visibility? Request an Estimate and let Red Canary Marketing prepare your business for the holiday season and the year ahead.
