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Author: Jacqueline Elder
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Google Business Profiles: The Secret Weapon for Successful Small Businesses
What’s the first thing you do when you’re thinking about trying a new restaurant? Or when your toilet won’t stop running and you need a plumber, fast? You grab your phone and open Google. And in the top right corner – the Google Business Profile.
Imagine you search “nice restaurants near me,” and two options pop up. Both have a Google Business Profile. The first has a decent name, a few reviews, and one blurry photo of the dining room. Nothing special.
The second? Same kind of restaurant, similar menu, but this one immediately stands out. Why? Because before you’ve even clicked, you can see glowing reviews, crisp photos of the food and atmosphere, a phone number, and a “Reserve Now” button ready to go. You don’t even think twice! You pick the second one with confidence.
Was it your business that was chosen? Or where you overlooked because of an incredibly simple mistake a lot of small businesses overlook – The Google Business Profile (GBP).
If you’re not showing up where your customers are searching, you’re invisible, no matter how amazing your business is.
What a Google Business Profile Actually Does (and Why It Matters)
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a business’s official Google listing. Before 2022, GBP was the Google My Business, but after a rebrand and refresh, the GBP gives small business owners more tool and control their brand and information.
A well optimized Google Business Profile allows you the business owner to:
- Manage Information about your business. This can be your website and physical address, to your services and products. It allows potential customers to quickly find the important details about you and your small business.
- Interact with new and old customers easily with your GBP. Not only can you read and respond to any online reviews left by customers, you can also add posts to keep your current base up-to-date with any new offerings or events. It’s like a small social media feed that can offer online viewers quick glances at your living business.
- Understand and maximize metrics by digging into important data that your Google Business Profile creates for you. With your custom GBP, you can see how customers find you through search keywords, see how they navigate to your profile, and track campaigns to determine how to best use your resources to expand your customer base.
Use these checklists to audit or build your Google Business Profile
5 Common GBP Mistakes That Cost You Local Traffic
It’s so easy to overlook your own Google Business Profile, but others looking for you (or your competitor) easily find it. Here are five common things you can correct to capture those eyes.
- Incomplete profiles – no hours, no description, no HIGH QUALITY photos
- It’s an easy fix! Fill every field out. Google rewards complete profiles by ranking them higher in searches.
- Inconsistent NAP info – that’s Name, Address, Phone
- Match your NAP information on all websites, GBP, and directories. If it’s hard or confusing to find, customers will stop looking.
- Neglecting Reviews – don’t just ask, respond
- If someone took their time to leave a review, you can take the time to respond (yes, even the bad ones).
- Poor Photos – outdated, dim, or irrelevant images scare people away
- Add bright, current photos of your location, staff, and work.
- No Updates or Posts – Google is social media too
- Add life to your profile by adding current promos, new products, or events weekly.
How to Optimize Your GBP for Local SEO
Google Business Profiles are free and an amazing resource, but you need to use it as another smart tool. Optimize it for top performance, allowing your small business to shine in the busy digital space.
- Add primary & secondary categories strategically.
- Use keywords naturally in your business description.
- Upload videos and FAQs.
- Enable messaging and booking links.
- Encourage regular check-ins and photo uploads.
By building your listing for the local SEO (search engine optimization), you are generating organic leads. Creating a well rounded and clear Google Business Profile encourages the search engine to prioritize your listing, setting yourself up for more views. Don’t let those viewers (and potential customers) be discouraged to find an old, outdated profile.
Have You Googled You Recently?
Google gives you the platform and access to a local audience looking for small businesses just like you – you just have to fill it in!
Check your Google Business Profile today! Look it over for potential improvements. No neglected profile is perfect! It should be checked weekly.
It might feel like just another thing on your small business to-do list, but your Google Business Profile is one of the most valuable tools you have. Forward Digital Marketing can help lighten your load and build a fully optimized profile that helps customers find, and choose, you.
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Wayne County Clerk of Court | A Forward Digital Marketing Special Build
Serving Citizens with a Modern, Accessible Website — for Over a Decade
For more than ten years, Forward Digital Marketing (formerly Web Electronics) has proudly partnered with the Wayne County Clerk of Court to provide a dependable, citizen-centered online experience. As digital expectations evolved, FDM helped the Clerk’s office refresh and modernize its long-standing site — maintaining its trusted foundation while enhancing accessibility, speed, and ease of use.
Industry: Local Government
Services: Website Redesign, Accessibility Optimization, Hosting & Maintenance
The Challenge
After a decade of steady performance, the Clerk of Court website needed an update to meet modern standards for accessibility, mobile usability, and content management. The goal wasn’t to fix a failing system — it was to future-proof an already reliable platform and keep it aligned with the needs of Wayne County’s citizens.
Key areas of focus:
- Improving readability across devices
- Streamlining navigation to help citizens find key information faster
- Maintaining the familiar structure trusted by residents
The Solution
Building on years of partnership, FDM guided the Clerk’s office through a strategic redesign — upgrading the existing site to today’s best practices without disrupting the experience residents were already comfortable with.
Our approach focused on:
- Enhanced Mobile Compatibility: FDM redesigned the site to ensure a seamless experience across all devices — from phones to desktops — improving accessibility for every visitor.
- User Navigation: Simplified menus and a reorganized content structure make forms, contact details, and announcements easier to find.
- Longevity & Control: A modern WordPress backend ensures the site can evolve with county needs for years to come.
The Results
The result? A seamless blend of familiarity and modernization — keeping Wayne County connected, informed, and supported.
This redesign reaffirmed the strength of a well-built website and the value of continuous improvement.
Key outcomes include:
- Faster load times and mobile optimization
- Streamlined backend management for Clerk’s office staff
- Enhanced accessibility for all citizens
- Continued uptime and reliability built on FDM’s proven hosting and support
The Lessons Learned
Technology and accessibility standards never stop evolving — and neither should your website. FDM’s long-term relationship with the Wayne County Clerk of Court shows that durability doesn’t mean stagnation; it means building a strong foundation and adapting thoughtfully over time.
Wayne County Website Evolution
• 2013: Original site launched by Web Electronics — simple, static, desktop-first.
• 2017: First redesign — more images, expanded navigation, user focus.
• 2020: Responsive design and modernization — mobile usability became a priority.
• 2022: UI polish and content enhancements — cleaner layout, better structure.
• 2024: UX refinements, updated visual branding, smoother interaction.
• Today: Continuous optimization, performance tuning, and content upkeep by FDM.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Website?
Whether you manage a government office, small business, or nonprofit, Forward Digital Marketing can help you create a digital presence that stands the test of time.
We Don’t Just Build Websites
We build lasting partnerships. Let’s chat today about any of your small business digital marketing needs! From Google Business Profiles to Email Marketing to Custom Websites, we are ready to work with you and tailor our services to your needs.
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Wayne County Georgia Probate Court | Constantly Connected
Wayne County GA Probate Court manages a lot of areas for its citizens,. Being very restricted by laws, all of the data contained within must be approved and current. The citizens of Wayne County put their trust in them and they have put their trust in Forward Digital Marketing to help them stay connected to their clients. Wayne County Probate Court has been a FDM Client for many years and its website has gone through several updates over the years. It is important to update your website every few years to make sure you are running on the latest most efficient systems and your website works for all devices. Their current website is a CustomWebsite that is fully responsive for all devices. Check out this Project Visit their website: www.wayneprobatecourt.com -
Long County Recreation | Communication and Education for Local Sports
Long County Recreation oversees public recreation activities for its citizens so it’s crucial to have a venue to communicate and educate. They found out about Forward Digital Marketing through another client of ours and has trusted us for several years to help them with their online presence. It is very important to have an online presence and keep it updated. This website has a fully responsive layout and is a Custom Website, fully responsive for all devices. Visit their website: www.longcountyrecreation.com -
Greenview Farms | Herford Cows Perfected for Generations
Since 1860 the Harris family has farmed the same land and raised cattle. Multiple generations later, Greenview Farms saw the need to show their cattle to the world as they are very breed-specific. Forward Digital Marketing has been their sole website provider for a number of years. While it is important to update your website every few years to make sure you are running on the latest most efficient systems and your website works for all devices, it is imperative to have a web developer that can help you manage it and if you desire, teach you how to manage it. Their current website is a Custome Website that is fully responsive for all devices. FDM also provides email services to Greenview Farms to help them stay connected to their clients. Visit their website: www.greenviewfarms.net -
Living Independence for Everyone |
L.I.F.E. – Living Independence for Everyone has been providing help and support to the disabled citizens of Southeast Georgia for well over twenty years. They needed a website and Forward Digital Marketing was recommended to them by another non-profit client. A Resource Directory is one of the special features that we built into their website as well as handicap-accessible features for the vision impaired. With multiple locations and varied services, a Custom Website is what they need. Depending on their staffing at any given time, we either train their staff how to update their website or we do it for them. Visit their website: www.lifecil.com -
Wayne County Family Connection |
Wayne County Family Connection is a local non-profit organization serving Wayne County children and families who connect those in need to resources within the community for well over twenty years. Many years ago, Family Connection has put their trust in Forward Digital Marketing to help them stay connected to their clients. A fully responsive Custom Website, this project contains a full Resource Directory and an Intake System to connect to citizens as well as determine specific needs from the data that it collects. FDM also provides email services to Wayne County Family Connection to help them stay connected to their clients. Visit their website: www.waynehelp.com -
Harrison Real Estate | Over 70 Years of Experience
Harrison Real Estate is a family-owned real estate, insurance, and property management company in SE Georgia since 1955. They have been assisting clients to successfully navigate the real estate and insurance landscape for years. They are our oldest client and Forward Digital Marketing is proud to help them stay connected to their clients. For 23+ years we have worked with these great folks to provide a Custom Website that integrates with their area ‘multi-list’ to help them efficiently display their listings and rentals. FDM also provides email services to Harrison Real Estate to help them stay connected to their clients. Visit their website: www.jesupproperty.com -
Wayne County Recovery Coalition | Drug Crisis Education for the Community
Wayne County Recovery Coalation developed an integrated healthcare network for community collaboration to tackle the opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) crisis. Soon after its inception, they put their trust in Forward Digital Marketing to help them educate the community. A fully responsive Standard Website, this project is critical to communicating the function and educating the public. Visit their website: www.waynecountyrecovery.com -
Wayne County Recreation | A Space for Community Sports
Wayne County Recreation Department serves the families of Wayne County by managing its recreation facilities and activities in all three cities in Wayne County. Forward Digital Marketing has built and hosted their website for years. In 2023, they asked us to integrate a registration system into their website, lowering the costs incurred using a known national recreation registration company. They are now able to have a more hands-on approach to their data and information. A fully responsive Custom Website, this project is critical to communicating with, information and providing an easy-to-process registration system for their sports activities. Visit their website: www.waynecountyrecreation.com