Let’s face it—you didn’t start your business to become an expert in online visibility. You opened your doors in Torrance because you’re passionate about what you do, whether that’s crafting the perfect espresso, fixing plumbing emergencies, or helping families find their dream homes.
But here’s the reality we see every day: amazing local businesses are struggling simply because people can’t find them online. And the biggest missed opportunity? Your Google Business Profile.
The Harsh Truth About Local Search
When someone in Torrance pulls out their phone and searches for the services you offer, they typically do one of two things:
- Click on one of the top three businesses that appear in that Map Pack (you know, the businesses with the map at the top of Google)
- Visit the business with the most compelling profile and reviews
If you’re not in that top three—or worse, not showing up at all—you’re essentially invisible to potential customers. The good news? There’s actually a lot you can do about it, and it doesn’t require a computer science degree.
Why Your Google Business Profile Is More Important Than Your Website
This surprises many business owners, but for local businesses, your Google Business Profile often gets more views than your actual website. Think about it—when was the last time you searched for a local service and actually clicked through to a website before deciding which business to call?
One client of ours, a family restaurant near Del Amo Fashion Center, was getting decent website traffic but still struggling to attract new customers. When we looked at their Google Business Profile, we found they were getting 5X more views there than on their website—but their profile was incomplete and outdated. Within two months of optimizing it, their foot traffic increased by 32%.
Simple Steps to Get More Local Eyes on Your Profile
1. Complete EVERY Section of Your Profile (No Skipping!)
Google rewards completeness. Many Torrance businesses make the mistake of filling out just the basics—name, address, phone number—and calling it a day.
Don’t be that business. Take 30 minutes to complete:
- Business description (with natural mentions of Torrance, South Bay, and your neighborhood)
- Service area (be specific about which neighborhoods you serve)
- All relevant business categories (primary and secondary)
- Complete list of services
- Attributes (features that make your business special)
- Q&A section (pro tip: ask and answer your own frequently asked questions)
A local accountant in Torrance who implemented this simple step saw his profile views increase by 47% during tax season.
2. Photos Tell Your Story (When Words Can’t)
Businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website. But not just any photos will do.
For maximum local impact, include:
- Exterior shots showing your storefront and location
- Interior shots that showcase your space
- Team photos that add a human element
- Product/service photos that highlight what you offer
- Photos that include local landmarks or neighborhood features
One South Bay salon owner started adding weekly photos of happy clients (with permission) and her before/after work. Within three months, she saw a 52% increase in new appointment bookings directly from Google.
3. Posts: Your Secret Weapon for Staying Visible
Think of Google posts like free mini-ads that appear directly on your profile. Yet amazingly, 79% of local businesses never use this feature.
Post at least once a week about:
- Special offers for Torrance residents
- Events happening at your location
- New products or services
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business
- Customer spotlights and success stories
- Community involvement in Torrance and the South Bay
A personal training studio near Wilson Park started doing weekly posts with special offers and fitness tips. Their profile actions (calls, direction requests, and website visits) increased by 64% in just six weeks.
4. Reviews: Your Most Powerful Visibility Booster
Nothing—and I mean nothing—impacts your local visibility more than reviews. They affect:
- Whether you show up in the Map Pack
- How many people click on your listing
- How many of those clicks convert to customers
But here’s what many Torrance business owners get wrong: they wait passively for reviews instead of actively managing them.
Your review strategy should include:
- A system for asking satisfied customers to leave reviews
- Templates that make it easy for customers to share their experience
- A process for responding to EVERY review (yes, even the negative ones)
- A timeline (aim to get at least 2-3 new reviews each month)
A hardware store in Old Torrance implemented a simple review request system at checkout. They went from 17 reviews to over 80 in six months, and saw their local search visibility increase by 36%.
5. Questions & Answers: The Overlooked Goldmine
Did you know that anyone can ask questions on your Google Business Profile? And if you don’t answer them, someone else will—often with incorrect information.
Pro tip: Don’t wait for questions. Create a FAQ section by asking and answering your own questions. This lets you:
- Address common concerns before they become objections
- Include keywords naturally
- Highlight your unique selling points
- Provide information specific to your Torrance location
One restaurant owner near Pacific Coast Highway added 12 Q&As addressing everything from parking options to whether they could accommodate large groups. Their reservation requests directly from Google increased by 28%.
The Local Consistency Factor
Here’s something many business owners miss: Google is constantly looking for confirmation that your business information is accurate. That means your name, address, and phone number need to be exactly the same everywhere online.
Check these places for consistency:
- Your website
- Social media profiles
- Yelp listing
- Chamber of Commerce directory
- Industry-specific directories
When a dentist in Torrance fixed inconsistencies in his business listings (some said “Street” while others used “St.”), his profile views increased by 23% within weeks.
How Often Should You Update Your Profile?
This isn’t a “set it and forget it” situation. Businesses that regularly update their Google Business Profile get significantly more visibility than those who don’t. At minimum:
- Post updates weekly
- Add new photos monthly
- Check and answer questions weekly
- Respond to reviews within 24 hours
- Update seasonal hours as needed
- Refresh your business description quarterly
A local florist who implemented this update schedule saw her “busy times” in Google go from mostly yellow to mostly red (indicating higher foot traffic) within three months.
Measuring What Matters
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Google provides excellent insights about your profile performance, including:
- How people found you (search terms they used)
- What actions they took
- When they’re most likely to search for you
- How you compare to competitors
Check these metrics monthly and adjust your strategy based on what you see.
An auto repair shop in West Torrance discovered through their insights that most of their profile views came from people searching for “oil change near me”—but very few were converting to customers. They created a special oil change offer for first-time customers and saw their conversion rate double.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Tactics for Standing Out
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, try these advanced strategies:
Leverage Google’s Products Feature
If you sell products, use the Products section to showcase them directly on your profile. A boutique in Torrance that added their bestselling items saw a 37% increase in profile interactions.
Use Special Offers and Events
Create special offer posts or event posts for more visibility. These stay prominent on your profile longer than regular posts.
Utilize Messaging
Enable the messaging feature to give potential customers another way to reach you. Businesses that offer this option typically see higher engagement rates.
Add Booking or Service Links
If applicable, add appointment links or service booking options directly to your profile. A salon that added online booking saw a 45% increase in new appointments.
The Bottom Line: Consistency Wins the Local Search Game
The businesses that dominate local search in Torrance aren’t necessarily the oldest or the largest—they’re the ones that consistently optimize their Google Business Profile and create a compelling digital storefront.
By implementing these strategies, you’re not just improving your visibility—you’re creating a powerful first impression that converts searchers into customers.
Need Help Becoming More Visible to Local Customers?
If this all sounds great but you’re thinking, “When am I supposed to find time for this between running my business and having a life?”, you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why local business owners in Torrance and throughout the South Bay turn to STC Digital Marketing. Our team specializes in helping businesses like yours maximize their Google Business Profile visibility with proven, effective strategies tailored to your specific market.
Our clients typically see:
- 40% increase in profile views within 90 days
- 65% more website visits from local searches
- 50% improvement in calls and direction requests
- Significant growth in positive reviews
We handle everything from profile optimization and regular posts to review management and performance tracking, so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Contact STC Digital Marketing today for a free Google Business Profile audit. We’ll show you exactly where you stand, where your competitors are winning, and how we can help you become more visible to your ideal local customers.
Call us at 847-863-1441 to schedule your consultation. Stop being invisible—start being the business everyone in Torrance notices first.
