This blog is a guide to Google Business Profile Optimization for London Business to rank higher of the Google Pack which often termed as Local SEO and SEO ultimately. It has been written after the successful research and application. Let me walk you through it.
Before getting to Google Business Profile Management for London Business:
In today’s digital-first world, having a strong online presence is non-negotiable—especially for restaurants in a competitive city like London. Google Business Profile earlier Google My Business is one of the most powerful (and free!) tools to increase local visibility, attract diners, and outrank competitors. IIt’s important to optimize so your business can rank higher in the Google Pack, which is a component of SEO, and ultimately achieve better positions on the SERPs.”
To give you practical insights let’s take The Royal Oak Tavern, a traditional British pub in Kensington, as it optimizes its Google Business Profile to get more bookings and walk-ins.
Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Business
Suppose you own an operating business called The Royal Oak Tavern. First, you’ll need to register your business and create a profile on Google Business Profile (GBP), which is a free service. After setting up your profile, you must claim your business by verifying it. Google requires this verification to confirm that your business is legitimate—without it, your listing won’t be verified.
How to Claim Your Business:
- Visit Google Business Profile.
- Sign in with a Google account (preferably one tied to the business).
- Search for “The Royal Oak Tavern”.
- If it exists, click “Claim this business”. If not, select “Add your business”.
- Enter accurate details (name, address, category).
- Verify via phone number, email or postcard (sent to the business address).
🚀 Pro Tip for London Businesses:
- Ensure your postcode is correct (e.g., W8 5NP) to avoid verification delays.
- If you have multiple locations, create a separate listing for each and the option is available in the GBP dashboard.
Step 2: Complete Every Section of Your Profile
Don’t leave your business profile incomplete, fill each and every field as requested in GBP. A fully optimized profile ranks higher and converts better. Here’s what The Royal Oak Tavern can be filled out as:
Key Fields to Complete:
- Business Name: The Royal Oak Tavern
- Category: British Restaurant, Pub
- Address: 25 Kensington High St, London W8 5NP
- Phone: *020 7123 4567*
- Website: www.royaloaktavern.co.uk
- Hours: *Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Kitchen closes at 9:30 PM)*
- Description: “A classic British pub in Kensington serving hearty Sunday roasts, fish & chips, and locally sourced ales. Family-friendly with a cozy fireplace and outdoor garden seating.”
- Attributes: ✔ Outdoor Seating ✔ Vegetarian Options ✔ Live Sports ✔ Serves Alcohol
📌 London-Specific Tip:
- If you offer delivery, specify zones (e.g., Notting Hill, Chelsea).
- Use local keywords like “best Sunday roast in Kensington” in your description.
- Make sure your business name and address are consistent across all online platforms, such as social media and directory listings. Consistent information helps avoid confusion for both Google and your customers, as inconsistencies can lead to misunderstandings.
Step 3: Add High-Quality Photos
High-quality photos and videos of your restaurant will make your business more attractive and help you stand out from competitors. Today’s customers often research a restaurant online before visiting, so showcasing your space, food, and atmosphere is key. In fact, visuals can boost engagement by up to 35% (Google data).
Pictures taken by the restaurant:
- Interior Shots – Cozy wooden booths, fireplace, bar area
- Food Close-Ups – Fish & chips, steak & ale pie, sticky toffee pudding
- Exterior Photo – The iconic British pub sign
- Seasonal Content – Christmas dinner, summer beer garden
🎯 Pro Tip:
- Update photos monthly (e.g., seasonal menus, holiday decor).
- Use high-resolution images (minimum 720×720 px).
- Upload the professional video of the appetising food and restaurant ambience if you can.
Step 4: Collect and Respond to Reviews
90% of diners read reviews before visiting a restaurant. More the high ratings review, the more the chance of getting ranked higher on Google Pack. So you need to focus on increasing the reviews as well as getting great reviews. Encouraging happy customers to leave reviews (via receipts, QR codes, emails). First, focus on satisfying and delighting your customers before requesting a review; asking too soon can backfire and lead to unfavorable results. Once you receive reviews, be sure to respond to each one, whether positive or negative.
Example Review & Response:
⭐ Customer Review:
“Best fish & chips in London! The batter was crispy, and the mushy peas were perfect.” – ★★★★★
💬 Owner Response:
“Thank you, James! We take pride in our traditional British dishes. See you again soon for our famous sticky toffee pudding!”
🔥 London Tip:
- Negative review? Stay professional. Example:
“We’re sorry your experience wasn’t perfect, Sarah. Please message us so we can make it right.” - Including your restaurant’s name and location in customer reviews can significantly boost your search ranking. This helps Google better associate positive feedback with your business, improving visibility and credibility.
Step 5: Post Regular Updates (Google Posts)
Don’t stop even after your GBP is complete. Keep on updating and uploading the pictures and videos of your restaurant. Google likes and Posts keep your listing fresh and engaging as we follow the algorithm of it.
🍽️ “Sunday Roast Special – Book Now!”
🎶 “Live Folk Music Every Thursday”
🍻 “Happy Hour: 2-for-1 Pints (Mon–Fri, 4–6 PM)”
📅 Frequency: At least once a week (more during holidays).
Step 6: Monitor Insights & Optimize
After 2-3 months, The Royal Oak Tavern checks Google Business Profile Insights and finds:
🔍 Top searches: “best British pub near me”
📅 Peak times: Friday & Saturday evenings
📸 Most-viewed photo: Sunday roast platter
Action Taken:
- Updated description with more keywords (“traditional London pub”).
- Added more food photos (especially roast dinners).
- Created a weekend special post to target peak times.
Conclusion to Google Business Profile Optimization Guide for London Business
Just like The Royal Oak Tavern, your British restaurant in London can dominate local search, attract more diners, and boost bookings with a well-optimized Google Business Profile.
Just to summarize, every step taken to optimize your Business Profile is aimed at improving your Local SEO ranking and increasing your online visibility. I also recommend checking out the blog Local SEO Guide for London Businesses—it’s a valuable resource that could give your business an extra edge.
Getting along this Guide to Google Business Profile Optimization for your London Business should be sufficient enough to rank higher in the Google Pack. However if you Need help? Feel free to contact me, Roshan Rai: SEO Consultant in London and I shall provide you the fruitful Google Business Profile management. Let’s get you more customers!