Get More Sunday Visitors At Your Church By Updating Your Google Business Profile

How To Update and Optimize Your Church's Google Business Profile

How To Update and Optimize Your Church's Google Business Profile

8 Practical Steps To Claim and Update Your Church's Google Business Profile

If you’re looking to get more Sunday Morning Visitors walking through your church doors, optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a game-changer.

It’s basically your church’s front door on Google, and with some smart tweaks, it can pull in leads like nobody’s business.

When it comes to Church lead generation, this step is critical for your church marketing!

Think of it as turning searches like “churches near me” into actual visits or sign-ups. I’ll walk you through a step-by-step strategy tailored just for churches.

We’ll keep it practical, so you can start implementing this right away.

Let’s dive in:

1.  Claim and Verify Your Profile First Thing

If you haven’t already, head over to Google and claim your church’s GBP. It’s free and straightforward, just search for your church on Google Maps and follow the prompts to verify via phone, email, or postcard.

This puts you in control and ensures your info shows up accurately when people search locally. Without this, you’re missing out on basic visibility, which is key for any lead gen.

TIP: You will need a Gmail address

2.  Fill Out Every Detail Like It’s Your Church Bio

Make sure your profile is 100% complete. Add your full name (e.g., “First Christian Church”), exact address, phone number, website link, and service hours:

• Sunday worship times

• midweek Bible studies

• Office hours

Don’t forget to include categories like “Church” or “Place of Worship” to help Google match you with the right searches. This will ensure you can get more visibility for your Church.

TIP: Toss in keywords naturally, like “family-friendly church services” or “community outreach programs,” to boost relevance for local searches.  This helps turn casual browsers into leads by making your profile pop up more often.

3.  Upload Eye-Catching Photos and Videos

People love visuals, especially for something as welcoming as a church. Add high-quality pics of your exterior and interior church building, past events, youth groups in action, or holiday services.

Even short videos of a sermon snippet or community event can go a long way. Aim for at least 10-15 images to start, and update them regularly. This builds trust and excitement, encouraging folks to reach out or visit. It’s like a virtual open house that drives engagement and leads.

TIP: Update Your Google Business Profile With 2 post updates a week. Include keywords and your location.

4.  Encourage and Manage Reviews from Your Congregation

Reviews are gold for lead generation because they build credibility. After a great service or event, gently ask members to leave a quick review on your GBP via email or a bulletin announcement.

Respond to every one, positive or negative, with a warm, thankful reply. This shows you’re active and caring, which can sway potential visitors.

Think about it, if you're looking for a Church, the first thing you're going to seek out are the reviews. This is why Church Marketing is so important.

TIP: Use Google Insights to track how reviews impact your profile’s performance, so you can see what’s resonating and adjust.

5.  Post Regular Updates and Events

Treat your GBP like a mini social feed. Share posts about upcoming sermons, community outreaches, volunteer opportunities, or special events like Easter services or food drives.

Your GBP is a great way to advertise for your church online.

TIP: Include calls to action, like “RSVP here” or “Call to learn more.” This keeps your profile fresh and signals to Google that you’re active, improving your ranking in local searches. It’s a direct way to generate leads by getting people excited about what’s happening at your church.

6.  Leverage Q&A and Messaging Features

Set up the Q&A section by answering common questions upfront, like “What time are services?” or “Do you have kids’ programs?” Enable messaging so people can chat directly through Google, it’s low-pressure and perfect for shy newcomers asking about membership or events.

TIP: Quick responses here can turn inquiries into solid leads fast.

7.  Integrate with Other Google Tools for Extra Boost

Pair your GBP with local SEO basics, like ensuring your website has matching info and embedding Google Maps. If your church has the budget, dip into Google Ads or Local Services Ads for targeted promotion, but start small.

Also, use Google Insights to monitor views, searches, and actions (like calls or directions requests).

This data helps refine your approach, just like tracking leads in any strategy.

8.  Track Progress and Tweak as Needed

Every month, check your GBP insights to see what’s driving traffic. Maybe photos of events are getting the most clicks, or certain keywords are pulling in searches.

Adjust based on that, and don’t be afraid to experiment. If calls drop (there’s chatter about Google changing call tracking), focus more on website visits or direction requests as lead indicators.

There you go! That’s a solid plan to get your church’s GBP working overtime for lead generation. Start with the basics if you’re overwhelmed, and build from there. If you implement this consistently, you should see more inquiries and foot traffic in no time.

Got questions or need help tweaking it for your specific setup? Just let me know!

Email me at rick@heyrick.co