How to Use Google’s New Features to Boost Your Business Local Online Visibility

As the new school season begins, it’s the perfect time to freshen up your business strategy. Google has rolled out a series of powerful updates designed to help you grow and connect with local customers. From new tools for managing your Google Business Profile to expanding chat features, these updates can significantly improve your visibility and engagement. Here’s a breakdown of key tips and tools you can start using today.

Looking for a more hands-on strategy? Explore our Local SEO services to make sure Google actually sees and surfaces your business—so your visibility gains deliver lasting results.

What are the new Google Business Profile updates for local businesses in 2025?

Google has introduced several updates to help local businesses improve visibility and customer engagement. Key changes include a streamlined Post Creation Tool, expanded chat options via Google Maps and WhatsApp, Local Inventory Ads to showcase in-store products, the ability to display drinks menus directly on your profile, and improved service-area settings for businesses like plumbers or cleaners. These features make it easier to connect with nearby customers, drive more foot traffic, and grow your business online.

1. Streamline Your Google Business Profile with the New Post Creation Tool

Google has revamped the Post Creation Tool to help you stay organized and keep your audience engaged with ease. The updated tool makes creating and managing your posts simpler and more effective.

What’s New?

• Centralized Posts Hub: All your posts are now in one place. No more toggling between different sections—everything you need to manage your posts is in a single dashboard.
• Simplified Creation Process: The process is now more streamlined, allowing you to create updates, events, or offers quickly from a single screen.
• Enhanced Management View: Keep track of important details like creation date, post status, and type, so you can easily make changes and monitor performance.
• Visual Enhancements: With subtle design improvements, the interface is easier to navigate, making your post management more efficient.

How You Can Benefit:

• More organized management of your updates, events, and offers.
• A streamlined process means you’ll spend less time on administrative tasks and more time engaging with customers.

 

2. Chat with Customers Directly from Google Maps

The expansion of Google’s Chat Feature to Google Maps means that local businesses can now connect with customers through text or WhatsApp, making it even easier to respond to inquiries, bookings, or requests for support.

Why This Matters:

• Studies show that 67% of customers prefer messaging businesses over traditional calls or emails.
• This feature is available worldwide (excluding a few countries) and is perfect for businesses that want to provide instant support.
• The simplicity of texting is key to improving customer satisfaction, as it’s more convenient for people on the go.

How to Set Up Chat:

• Go to your Google Business Profile and follow the steps to add a chat link. Whether you prefer text or WhatsApp, you can directly integrate these communication options into your profile. 
• 1. Go to your Business Profile.
• 2. Click Edit profile >  Contact.
• 3. Next to ‘Chat’, select Edit.
• 4. In the ‘Chat’ drop-down, click the Down arrow.
• 5. Select either WhatsApp or Text message.
• 6. In the ‘URL’ or ‘Phone number’ field, add your WhatsApp click to chat URL or a phone number that can receive text messages.
• 7. Click Save.

How You Can Benefit:

• Enhance customer service by offering an easy, quick way for customers to contact you.
• Streamline customer inquiries and bookings, saving you time and resources.

3. Showcase Your Local Inventory with Google Local Inventory Ads

Retailers, listen up! If you have a physical store, Local Inventory Ads (LIA) can be a game-changer for driving foot traffic and connecting with local customers. These ads allow you to showcase your in-store products to people nearby who are actively searching on Google.

What’s New?

• Promote In-Store Inventory: Advertise specific products available at your physical location, so customers can see if you have what they need.
• Bring Your Store Online: With Google Local Inventory Ads, customers can view product availability and prices either through Google Shopping or your website.
• Measure Success: Track the effectiveness of your ads on both online and offline goals, and measure in-store visits (where available).

How You Can Benefit:

• Increase local visibility by connecting with nearby shoppers who are ready to buy.
• Attract more in-store traffic and boost sales by showing your products at the exact moment customers are searching for them.

The Impact of Showcasing Your Products

“Retail businesses that use product promotions via their Google Business listings experience a 32% increase in store visits, a 27% boost in conversion rates, a 41% improvement in local search visibility, and a 23% growth in direct customer inquiries.”

4. Enhance Your Drinks Menu Visibility on Google

If you run a bar, café, or restaurant, displaying your drinks menu on Google can help attract more customers. Google now allows you to showcase your drinks menu directly on your Google Business Profile, making it easier for users to discover what you serve.

How to Get Started:

• Manually Add Your Menu: You can input your drinks items directly into your Google Business Profile, making it easy for customers to browse your offerings.
• Use AI to Upload Your Menu: Upload a photo or PDF of your menu, and let Google’s AI convert it into a digital, editable format.
• Link Your Menu: If you already have your menu online, simply add the URL to your Google Business Profile.

How You Can Benefit:

• Make your drinks menu easily accessible to customers searching on Google.
• Increase the chances of getting discovered based on specific drink offerings, like cocktails, wine lists, or specialty brews.

Menu Visibility = More Customers

According to Google’s own research, a staggering 84% of users look up the menu online before deciding on a new restaurant, and menus are the single most important piece of information people rely on when choosing where to eat.

5. Service-Area Businesses: Set Your Service Area for Better Local Reach

Service-area businesses (SABs)—such as plumbers, cleaners, and pest control companies—now have an even easier way to define their service area in Google. By specifying the areas you serve, you can enhance your visibility in local searches and ensure you’re only targeting the right customers.

How to Set It Up:

• Define your service area using cities, counties, or zip codes.
• You can add up to 20 service areas to make sure you cover all the places you service.
• Stay within a two-hour radius of your business location to avoid stretching your service area too far.

How You Can Benefit:

• Improve your search visibility for customers in your defined service areas.
• Avoid potential penalties from Google for violating its guidelines on location-based listings.

 

Key Takeaways

• Streamline your updates with Google’s improved Post Creation Tool for easier management of events, offers, and news.

• Engage customers instantly using the expanded Chat feature on Google Maps and WhatsApp.

• Drive foot traffic and sales by showcasing in-store products with Local Inventory Ads.

• Boost restaurant and café visibility by adding your drinks menu directly to your Google Business Profile.

• Expand your local reach by defining service areas more precisely for service-based businesses.

• Stay ahead of competitors by leveraging Google’s newest features to improve customer interaction and local search visibility.

Conclusion

By implementing these new Google features and tips, you can optimize your online presence, improve customer interaction, and boost local visibility. Whether you’re a retailer using Local Inventory Ads or a service business setting your service area, these updates offer simple, powerful tools to help your business grow and thrive. Make sure you’re taking full advantage of these new capabilities to stay ahead of the competition!

If you’d like some guidance with setup, our Google Business Listing service can help ensure your profile is accurate, complete, and working to increase your local visibility.

For more tips on how to enhance your online presence, check out our other resources and guides. Happy optimizing!