How amazing would it be to get your pet business to the top of Google, and get it to stay there for the life of your business? I’m about to share exactly how I used Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) to attract the majority of my dog walking and pet sitting clients — and how you can do the same.
Now, let me be clear — this isn’t just for dog walkers and pet sitters! These Google Business Profile strategies work like magic for all kinds of pet businesses. Mobile pet groomers, pet photographers, dog trainers, cat sitters, pet boutiques, doggy daycares, pet bakeries, aquatic specialists, bird boarding facilities — you name it, if you’re in the pet industry, this is your ticket to getting found by your ideal clients.
Here’s the thing: when pet parents need a a pet care provider, what’s the first thing they do? They Google “your service near me,” and start reading reviews. And if you’re not showing up at the top of those results, you’re leaving money on the table.
The Foundation: Setting Up Your Profile Right
First things first — let’s get your profile looking professional and trustworthy. Here’s exactly what you need to do:
- No skipping fields, as excruciating as it is filling in forms! Google rewards complete profiles
- Use your exact business details everywhere you post them, consistently
- Add your precise address and phone number
- Fill out your service area details
- List your business hours (yes, even if they’re flexible)
Create a Killer Business Description
- Naturally weave in your keywords (think “professional dog walker,” “local dog walking service”)
- Highlight what makes your service unique
- Include your location-specific terms
- Keep it genuine — Google can smell keyword stuffing a mile away
The Secret Weapon: Local Citations
Here’s something most dog walkers miss: Google needs to see your business information consistent across the internet. I took the time to:
- Submit my business to local directories
- Ensure my NAP (Name, Address, Phone) was identical everywhere
- Create listings on pet-specific directories
- Keep all online profiles updated
Images That Work Hard For You
Pictures aren’t just there to be worth a thousand words — they’re powerful SEO tools.
- Here’s my image strategy:
- Name every image with relevant keywords (e.g., “dog-walking-christchurch.jpg”)
- Upload new photos regularly (I aimed for weekly)
Mix up the content:
- Action shots of actual walks
- Happy dog photos
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses
The Review Game-Changer
This is where the magic really happens. Reviews are pure gold for your Google ranking, and here’s exactly how I maximized them:
Make Asking for Reviews Automatic
- Added a review request to my email signature
- Included it in my service completion messages
- Made it part of my follow-up process
Respond to Every Single Review
- Thank reviewers personally
- Mention specific details about their pets
- Keep responses professional but warm
- Respond quickly (I aimed for within 24 hours)
Regular Updates = Better Rankings
Google loves active profiles. Here’s what I did to keep mine fresh:
Google Posts
- Shared weekly updates about available slots
- Posted photos from recent walks
- Announced seasonal specials
- Shared pet care tips
- Added holiday hour updates
Service Updates
- Listed all services clearly
- Included pricing where possible
- Updated seasonal offerings
- Added new service areas as I expanded
Pro Tips That Made a Difference
Encourage User Generated Content
- Asked clients to share their own photos
- Gave them permission to tag my business
- Reshared user-generated content
- Thanked clients who shared photos
Holiday Hours Updates
- Responded to every Google reminder
- Updated hours even when they stayed the same
- Added special holiday notices
- Listed emergency contact info for holidays
Website-Listing Alignment
Here’s something crucial that many pet businesses overlook: Google doesn’t just look at your listing in isolation — it checks if your website backs up what your listing claims. Think of it as a trust signal; when Google sees consistency across your online presence, it’s more likely to recommend your business to potential clients.
- Make sure your website content matches your Google Business Profile keywords
- Include your service areas and all suburbs in your website content
- Create location-specific landing pages if you serve multiple areas
- Add schema markup to your website (this tells Google explicitly what your business does)
- Reference your Google reviews on your website with proper schema
Strategic Category Selection
Don’t fall into the trap of choosing just the obvious category. Google gives you multiple category options, and using them strategically can help you appear in more relevant searches.
- Don’t just choose “Dog Walker” – add relevant secondary categories
- Consider categories like “Pet Service,” “Pet Sitter,” and “Animal Service”
- Update categories if you add new services
- Monitor which categories your successful competitors are using
Q&A Section Optimization
The Q&A section is a powerful tool for controlling your business narrative and showcasing your expertise before potential clients even ask their questions.
- Don’t wait for customers to ask questions – create your own FAQs
- Answer common questions before they’re asked
- Include keywords naturally in both questions and answers
- Update these regularly based on actual client inquiries
Appointment URL Strategy
Your booking link is often the final step between a potential client and a confirmed booking. Make this journey as smooth as possible by implementing these crucial steps:
- Use a direct booking link in your profile
- Track this link separately in your analytics
- Make sure it goes to a mobile-friendly booking page
- Test the booking process regularly from your listing
Local Content Synergy
Local relevance is a major ranking factor for Google. The more you can demonstrate your connection to the local area, the more likely you are to show up in neighbourhood-specific searches.
- Create blog posts about local dog walking spots
- Mention local landmarks and popular areas in your descriptions
- Share photos from recognizable local locations
- Tag local events and seasonal activities
Mobile Optimization Focus
Most of your potential clients are searching for dog walkers on their phones. If your listing isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re potentially losing business.
- Ensure your linked website is mobile-responsive
- Keep contact information easily tappable
- Optimize images for mobile loading speed
- Test your listing regularly on mobile devices
Ally Analysis
Smart pet business owners don’t just focus on their own listings — they keep a strategic eye on what’s working for successful pet businesses in their area. This isn’t about copying; it’s about staying competitive and identifying opportunities.
Use this insight to improve your own listing.
The Results?
Within a month of implementing these strategies, my Google Business Profile became my #1 source of new clients. The best part? Once you set it up properly, it keeps working for you 24/7, bringing in qualified leads while you’re out doing what you love — caring for pets.
Remember, this isn’t about gaming the system — it’s about creating a genuine, active profile that shows Google (and potential clients) that you’re a legitimate, professional pet business. Every update, every photo, every review builds your credibility and helps you climb those search rankings.
Want to know what’s really cool? Most of your competition isn’t doing this. They might have a basic profile, but they’re not maximizing it. That means with just a little effort, you can stand out in your local market and attract those dream clients.
So, what are you waiting for? Open up your Google Business Profile right now and start implementing these strategies. Your future clients (and their furry friends) are out there searching for you – let’s make sure they can find you!
