In a place that never sleeps, where millions of decisions are made with a single Google search, your digital presence can be the make-or-break factor for your business.

That’s why having an optimized Google My Business (GMB) profile in Dubai isn’t just a “good-to-have”, it’s a necessity.

Your GMB profile acts as your business’s digital storefront. If it’s outdated, incomplete, or hard to find, you are silently losing customers every single day.

Statistics tell a powerful story: Google reports that 76% of people who search for something nearby visit a business within just 24 hours.

And in a hyper-dynamic city like Dubai, a magnet for locals, expats, and millions of tourists,  that percentage could mean hundreds, even thousands, of missed opportunities if your online presence isn’t sharp.

But here’s the catch: simply having a GMB profile isn’t enough anymore.

If you aren’t actively optimizing, updating, and managing it, you’re handing over business to your competitors on a silver platter.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into why GMB matters more than ever, uncover common pitfalls to avoid, and give you actionable, easy-to-implement strategies to turn your Google My Business profile into a powerful engine for attracting and converting customers. 

Ready to take control of your digital storefront? Let’s get started.

Understanding Google My Business (GBP)

GMB is much more than just an online business card for your business. It’s the first thing people see when they search for a business like yours or type the service or product you offer. 

The fact is Google processes over 8.5 billion searches every day (Statista, 2023), many of these people are people searching for something “near me”. 

But if your business is listed and optimized properly on GMB, you have a greater chance to have more eyeballs towards your business. 

What is Google My Business (GMB)?

It’s a free tool from Google that helps businesses manage their online presence across search and maps. It’s where you list all the essential details about your business so people searching on Google about businesses like yours could find you. 

Furthermore, it basically has the name, address, phone number, operating hours and even photos of the team and business. It’s kind of like your mini website

But the thing is, just filling up these details isn’t enough, you must keep it updated and fill in the right details. 

For businesses in Dubai, it is especially important as the fast-paced lifestyle of this city doesn’t allow people to have too much time to scroll the endless search results. They want information fast, and only a strong GMB profile puts you in front of them. 

To be honest, GMB isn’t just about being found. It’s about being chosen.

Setting Up Your GMB Profile

Getting started with GMB is an easy process, but the thing that needs attention is how to set it up in the right way. 

Here’s what you have to do;

1. Claim and Verify Your Business

Before anything else, you must claim your business on Google My Business. Below are a few steps to claim your business; 

• Go to the Google My Business website and log in with your Google account.
• Search for your business name. If it’s already listed, claim it. If not, create a new listing.
• Google will send a postcard, call, or email to verify your location. Remember that, this step ensures only you control the listing.

To most, verification seems like a hassle; however, it is a very important step as without it, you can not make any changes or even appear on Google Maps. 

2. Fill Out Your Business Information

Now that you have claimed your business, it’s time to add in the basic but necessary details. 

• Name, address, and phone number: Make sure these match your website and social media. Inconsistencies confuse Google (and customers).
• Operating hours: List exact timings, especially if they vary during holidays.
• Website link: Direct customers straight to your site.

If you are a business owner in Dubai, this step is even more crucial. Why? The tourists rely heavily on Google Maps to navigate to reach their destination. Also, the residents and locals won’t like to spend time figuring out the incorrect details. 

3. Choose the Right Business Categories

Categorizing your business into the right category is another important step, but sadly it is often overlooked. It helps Google understand your business offers and further helps in optimizing your business. 

• Be specific. If you own a gym, don’t just select “Fitness Center.” Choose “Yoga Studio,” “Personal Training,” or whatever matches your services.
• Add secondary categories if needed. For example, a bakery can also select “Café.”

Note that, the more accurate you are in categorizing your business on GMB, the better Google matches you with customer searches.

4. Upload Photos and Videos

Visuals are the main component that makes your business more attractive and authentic. It also makes your business look active and relatable to others. What you must do is;

• Add photos of your storefront, interior, and products. Show off what makes your business unique.
• For Dubai-based businesses, stunning visuals can work wonders. Showcase your location, whether it’s a bustling spot in Downtown Dubai or a serene area in Jumeirah.

Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their websites, claimed Google (Google, 2023).

5. Avoid Common Mistakes

One thing that you can’t do is try to haste the process and make mistakes while creating your GMB profile. Hushing through the process will only lead to stupid mistakes that can hurt your ranking. Avoid the below-mentioned points at all costs:

• Use incorrect or vague categories.
• Forget to update hours, especially during Ramadan or holidays.
• Skip adding a website link, it’s like leaving a door unlocked when you want visitors.

Keep in mind, don’t mistake creating your GMB profile for just getting the job done. Having a strong setup is the foundation for everything else that is to come. Never miss filling up any detail, never put in wrong information and do not forget to update it regularly. 

Do it correctly and witness the soar in your business.

Optimizing Your GMB Profile for Dubai Businesses

As we have said before, creating your GMB profile isn’t getting a job done. It’s important that it is optimized correctly and properly so you can make the best out of it without getting lost in the sea of similar businesses working in a busy city like Dubai.

Here’s what you can do to make your GMB profile shine; 

• First thing first, ensure that your profile is complete and consistent. Use the exact business name, address, phone numbers across all platforms. Your customers and Google, both, love consistency, making it business more reliable. 
• Don’t forget to add high-quality photos of your business or even of your team. You can add photos related to special discounts or events to make it more attractive. 
• You should not just randomly write your business description. Make sure to write a well-throughout and complete description. Keep in mind to be specific about what you offer, who you serve, and why people should choose you. 
• Remember to use the keywords that locals or even tourists might search for. The more specific you are, the better your chance of coming up in the search. 

Creating an optimized GMB profile is the first and foremost way to create an impression, so don’t waste your chance. 

Collecting and Managing Reviews

When it comes to GMB, customer reviews go a long way. They build trust amongst your customers to come and impact your ranking greatly. 

But what can you do to collect them?

You can simply ask for reviews and encourage your customers to leave positive feedback. You can do this in person, via emailing them or even through a QR Code. 

Furthermore, you must keep in mind to respond to every single feedback you get, be it good or bad. For positive feedback you can send a thank-you note and for the negative ones you can apologize and resolve the issue as soon as possible. 

You can even offer something in return to turn your negative feedback into a positive one. People love when they are given importance and tend to trust the brand even after a bad experience. 

Creating fake reviews is a big NO. Do not ever do that. 

Tracking Performance and Insights

Don’t think you need to stop after setting up your GMB profile. 

Google My Business offers Insights, a tool that provides data about how customers interact with your profile. 

You can see:

• Search Queries: What keywords people use to find you.
• Customer Actions: How many people visit your website, request directions, or call you.
• Profile Views: How often your profile appears in Google Search and Maps.

You can use the insights to make better decisions and even edit and update the content based on the results. 

Leveraging GMB for Multilingual Audiences

Dubai is an amalgam of diverse cultures, meaning there are more than one language that business must cater to. 

Luckily, GMB allows you to do just that. 

You can write your business description in multiple languages, you can add translation, making your profile more accessible to tourists and locals alike. 

You can even encourage your customers to give reviews in their own languages to make it more global and more accessible. 

Summary

Remember, your GMB profile is often the first impression potential customers get of your business. Make it count by keeping it updated, engaging, and reflective of your brand. 

From ensuring your profile is complete and packed with relevant details to collecting glowing reviews and using multilingual strategies, every small effort adds up to big results. 

If you still find it difficult to set up your GMB profile, get the help of professionals. Get in touch with our experts at The Meta Future. Let us help you shine!