Get Found Before the Holidays: Your Google Business Profile Cleanup Checklist
Update it. Post it. Get found!
The holidays are coming, and while everyone is busy decorating, shopping, traveling, and planning family gatherings, there's one thing real estate agents shouldn't forget to spruce up: their Google Business Profile!
Think about it. When someone searches for a real estate agent in your area, what will they find? An updated profile with recent photos, helpful information, and local content? Or a profile that looks like nobody has touched it since last Christmas?
Your Google Business Profile is often one of the first impressions potential buyers and sellers have of your business. And the best part? It's a free marketing tool that can help you connect with people searching for real estate services in your community.
Before the holiday rush kicks into high gear, take a little time to give your profile some attention.
1. Start With the Basics: Is Everything Accurate?
First things first! Take a look at your Google Business Profile and make sure your information is correct.
Here's what to check:
Business name: Make sure it accurately reflects your business and follows Google's naming guidelines.
Phone number: Is it the best number for potential clients to reach you?
Website: Does your link work and direct visitors to the right website?
Business hours: Are your regular hours accurate? Add special holiday hours if necessary.
Business description: Does it clearly explain who you are, what you do, and the communities you serve?
Business category: Make sure your primary category accurately describes your real estate business.
Your profile should make it easy for potential clients to find the information they need and take the next step.
Quick Tip: Don't forget to check your profile as a customer would see it! Search for your business on Google and review how your information appears.
2. Update Your Photos: Show People Who You Are
When was the last time you added a photo to your Google Business Profile?
If you can't remember, it's probably time for an update!
Photos help potential clients get a feel for your business, your personality, and your connection to the community.
Consider adding:
An updated professional headshot.
Photos of your office or team.
Pictures from local community events.
Photos showcasing recognizable places in your market.
Behind-the-scenes moments from your real estate business.
Seasonal photos that highlight what makes your community special.
And with the holidays approaching, this is a great opportunity to share photos from local festivals, holiday markets, tree-lighting ceremonies, and other community celebrations.
Real Estate Marketing Tip: You don't need an expensive photo shoot. A few well-lit, authentic photos from your phone can help showcase your business. Just make sure you have permission to share photos featuring other people or private property.
3. Review Your Services and Service Areas
Are you making it easy for Google and potential clients to understand where you work and what services you offer?
Take a few minutes to review the services listed on your profile.
Depending on the options available for your business category, you may be able to highlight services such as:
Residential real estate assistance.
Home buying and selling.
Relocation services.
First-time homebuyer guidance.
Luxury home marketing.
Investment property assistance.
Next, review your service areas.
If you serve multiple cities or communities, make sure those locations are accurately represented where Google allows.
For example, if you work with buyers and sellers throughout several neighboring communities, don't limit your information to just one city.
However, avoid adding locations you don't actually serve. Accuracy matters more than creating a giant list of cities.
Quick Tip: Your service areas and business location should reflect your actual operations and Google's eligibility guidelines. Adding extra cities does not guarantee your profile will rank in searches throughout those areas.
4. Give Your Reviews Some Attention
Online reviews can play an important role in building trust with potential clients.
Before the holidays, spend a few minutes reviewing your Google reviews.
Have you responded to your recent reviews? Are there past clients you've been meaning to ask for feedback?
This is a great time to reconnect.
Consider reaching out to clients you've helped this year and inviting them to share their experience.
Here's a simple message you could personalize:
"It was such a pleasure helping you with your real estate journey this year! If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate you sharing your experience in a Google review. Your feedback means a lot to me and helps others who are looking for real estate guidance."
Remember to respond to reviews, too!
A thoughtful response shows that you appreciate your clients and value their feedback.
Important: Never offer gifts, discounts, or other incentives in exchange for Google reviews. Keep review requests genuine and follow Google's policies.
5. Start Posting Again (Yes, Google Has Posts!)
Here's one feature that many real estate agents overlook: Google Business Profile posts!
Just like social media, your Google Business Profile allows you to share updates, photos, events, and other helpful information.
And with the holidays approaching, there's no shortage of content ideas!
Holiday and Local Community Post Ideas
Holiday Events Around Town
Share information about upcoming parades, holiday markets, tree-lighting ceremonies, and local celebrations.
Is Winter a Good Time to Buy a Home?
Share a quick tip about shopping for a home during the holiday season.
Getting Your Home Ready for Holiday Guests
Offer a few simple home maintenance or organization tips.
Thinking About Selling in the New Year?
Encourage homeowners to start planning now rather than waiting until spring.
Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season
Highlight a favorite local coffee shop, boutique, bakery, or restaurant.
Your Community in Photos
Show off holiday decorations, downtown festivities, or seasonal activities that make your area special.
You don't need to turn every post into a sales pitch. Sharing helpful local information is a great way to show that you're connected to the community you serve.
6. Check Your Website Links
Your Google Business Profile can send visitors directly to your website, but what happens when they click?
Make sure your primary website link works properly and leads to a useful, mobile-friendly page.
Then think about the content those visitors will find.
Do you have a local market report? A home search page? A buyer or seller resource? A blog featuring upcoming holiday activities?
These resources can give potential clients a reason to explore your website and learn more about you.
You can also include relevant website links in eligible Google Business Profile posts.
For example, if you're sharing a post about local holiday events, link to a blog on your website with additional details, dates, and resources.
Instead of sharing everything in one short post, you're giving people a reason to visit your website.
7. Make One Piece of Content Work Harder
Here's where a little planning can save you a lot of marketing time!
You don't need to create completely different content for Google, Facebook, Instagram, email, and your website.
Instead, choose one local topic and repurpose it across multiple marketing channels.
Example: Holiday Events in Your Community
Imagine you create a blog titled "Your Guide to Holiday Events in [Your City]."
Here's how you can turn that one idea into several marketing opportunities:
Marketing Channel | What to Share |
Website | Publish a blog with local holiday events, dates, locations, and helpful links. |
Google Business Profile | Share a holiday-themed update with a photo and link to your blog. |
Highlight a few events and ask followers which ones they're attending. | |
Create a carousel featuring five holiday activities around town. | |
Email Newsletter | Include a holiday events section with a link to the full guide. |
Short-Form Video | Create a quick reel highlighting festive spots and activities. |
One topic. Multiple platforms. More opportunities to connect with your community!
And here's an added bonus: Local content doesn't have to be all about real estate.
Sharing information about your community helps position you as a knowledgeable local resource, not just someone who sells homes.
MAX Tip: Work smarter, not harder! Repurpose the same local topic across Google, social media, email, and your website. Adjust the format and message for each platform so your content feels natural wherever people find it.
Your 15-Minute Google Business Profile Holiday Cleanup
Don't have hours to spend on another marketing project? You don't need them!
Start with this quick checklist:
Confirm your business name, phone number, website, and hours.
Review your business description and services.
Check your service areas for accuracy.
Upload a few recent photos.
Respond to any unanswered reviews.
Check that your website links work.
Publish a Google Business Profile update.
Choose one holiday or community topic to share across your marketing channels.
You can handle the bigger projects later. The goal is to get your information current and build a routine you can maintain.
Don't Stop After the Holidays!
Giving your Google Business Profile a seasonal refresh is a great start, but consistency matters throughout the year.
Make it a habit to review your information regularly, add authentic photos, respond to reviews, and share useful updates.
Your Google Business Profile is another opportunity to showcase your expertise, strengthen your online presence, and help potential clients learn more about your business.
An updated profile alone won't guarantee better search rankings, but accurate information, relevant content, and genuine customer engagement can make your business more useful and appealing to people who find it.
So before you get completely wrapped up in the holiday hustle, give your Google Business Profile a little attention.
Your future clients might be searching for you right now!
Update it. Post it. Get found!
Need help getting started? Visit Google Business Profile to manage your business information and start making the most of your presence on Google.
Comments