For small and medium businesses across Australia, preparing for the holiday season isn’t just about stocking up or planning promotions—it’s also essential to update your online presence to match your seasonal hours and services. One of the most critical updates you can make is to your Google Business Profile (GBP).
Why? Australians rely heavily on Google Business Profiles to find accurate business information, including hours, services, and contact details. Ensuring your profile is up-to-date, especially with accurate Christmas hours, can keep customers happy and improve your business’s online reputation. Here’s a simple guide from GOOP Digital to help you manage these updates efficiently.
Why updating your Google Business Profile matters
Updating your Google Business Profile ensures customers see your current hours and any holiday changes. During busy seasons like Christmas, people are often searching on-the-go to verify that a business is open, especially given the irregular hours around public holidays. A few minutes spent updating your profile can:
- prevent customer frustration from arriving at closed doors;
- boost your visibility by appearing in “open now” searches;
- help customers plan better, keeping them engaged and loyal.
Step-by-step guide to update your holiday hours on GBP
Updating your Google Business Profile for the Christmas period is straightforward. Follow these simple steps to ensure your customers get accurate information:
Open your Google Business Profile administration page
Begin by signing in to your Google Business Profile account. This brings you to the administration page, where you can make all necessary updates.
Click “Edit profile”
In the menu options, select “Edit profile.” This section allows you to adjust your business information, from hours to contact details.
Select “Hours”
Once inside the Edit Profile area, navigate to “Hours.” This tab allows you to adjust your regular operating hours and add special holiday hours.
Choose “Special hours”
To add holiday-specific hours, locate and click “Special hours.” This option ensures that the profile only shows these special times on the specified dates.
Scroll down and click “+ Add a date”
Scroll through your hours settings until you see “+ Add a date.” Click this option to open the date selector.
Select the holiday date and mark the “closed” box if needed
Choose the specific holiday date(s) you’d like to update. Mark the “closed” box if your business won’t be open on that date, or enter custom hours if your timings differ from the norm.
Click “Save”
After entering all holiday hours, click “Save” to confirm. These changes will now appear on your profile during customer searches, ensuring everyone has accurate information.
If you run into any challenges or need additional guidance, don’t hesitate to contact GOOP Digital. Our team is here to ensure your Google Business Profile is working effectively for your business.
Other quick GBP updates to consider
Apart from updating hours, here are a few extra tweaks to consider:
- Holiday messaging: Add a short post on your GBP with Christmas hours, holiday deals, or any special notices. It’s an easy way to give your profile a festive update and engage potential customers.
- Photos and holiday updates: A festive photo or quick announcement about your holiday offerings can catch the eye of potential customers and show that your business is prepared for the season.
- Service updates: If any of your services or products will differ over the Christmas season, make sure to highlight them in your profile description or in posts to keep customers informed.
Get support from GOOP Digital
Keeping your Google Business Profile accurate is a simple yet effective way to improve customer experience and visibility, especially during the holiday season. With just a few updates, you can prevent misunderstandings, boost your local search rankings, and show your customers that you’re prepared for the Christmas rush. If you’d like assistance or a deeper dive into optimising your digital presence, contact GOOP Digital today. Our team is here to help your business thrive, no matter the season.