In today’s digital-first world, your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first impression potential customers have of your company. Whether you run a local shop, a service-based business, or a large enterprise, optimizing your Google Business Profile can significantly boost your visibility, build trust, and drive more leads. At True North Technologies , we understand the power of local SEO and want to help you maximize your profile’s potential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your Google Business Profile working for you. 1. Claim and Verify Your Profile If you haven’t already, the first step is to claim your Google Business Profile. Simply go to Google Business Profile and follow the prompts to either create or claim your business listing. Verification usually happens through a postcard, phone, or email. This step is crucial because only verified businesses can manage their profiles and access valuable insights. 2. Complete Every Section with Accurate Information Google favors profiles that are thorough and accurate. Be sure to fill out every section: Business Name: Use your exact business name as it appears in real life. Address: Provide a precise, up-to-date address to help Google show your business in local search results and maps. Phone Number & Website: Make it easy for customers to contact you or learn more. Hours of Operation: Keep these updated, especially during holidays or special events. Business Category: Choose the most relevant category for your business — this helps Google connect you with the right audience. 3. Add High-Quality Photos and Videos Visual content attracts attention and builds trust. Upload professional photos of your storefront, team, products, or services. Videos showcasing your business in action can also boost engagement. Aim for diverse images that accurately represent your brand and keep your profile lively and inviting. 4. Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews Reviews are a key factor in local SEO and customer decision-making. Encourage satisfied clients to leave honest reviews on your profile. Take time to respond thoughtfully to all reviews, thank positive reviewers and address any concerns in a professional manner. This interaction shows prospective customers that you care about their experience. 5. Use Google Posts to Share Updates and Offers Google Posts allow you to share timely updates, promotions, events, or news directly on your Business Profile. Regular posts keep your audience informed and signal to Google that your business is active. Think of this as a mini social media platform that appears right in search results. 6. Leverage Q&A to Provide Helpful Information Google Business Profiles include a Q&A section where potential customers can ask questions about your business. Monitor this regularly and provide clear, helpful answers. You can even preemptively add common questions and answers to guide users and reduce friction. 7. Monitor Your Profile’s Performance with Insights Google offers valuable analytics that show how customers find your profile, what actions they take, and where they’re located. Use these insights to adjust your strategy and focus on what’s working best. True North Technologies can help you interpret these data points to drive even better results. Why Work with True North Technologies? Optimizing your Google Business Profile is just one part of a broader digital marketing strategy. At True North Technologies, we specialize in SEO, website development, and reputation management to help your business shine online. If you want expert guidance or hands-on help to get your profile and your entire online presence performing at its best, reach out to us today. Optimizing your Google Business Profile is a powerful way to increase local visibility, attract more customers, and grow your business. Start implementing these tips now to unlock your profile’s full potential. Contact us today!

In today's hyperconnected world, digital advertising isn’t optional, it’s essential. With consumers spending more time online than ever before, businesses that want to stay competitive need to meet their audience where they already are, on social media, in search engines, and across websites and apps. At True North Technologies , we help businesses harness the power of digital ads to increase visibility, generate leads, and drive measurable growth. If your business isn’t investing in digital advertising yet, now is the time to start, and here’s why. What Are Digital Ads? Digital ads are paid advertisements that appear online across platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and more. They can take many forms, including: Search ads (Google Ads) Display ads (banners on websites) Social media ads Video ads Retargeting ads Mobile in-app ads The key advantage? Unlike traditional advertising, digital ads are targeted, trackable, and flexible, giving businesses control over who sees their message and how much they spend. 6 Reasons Digital Ads Are Critical in 2025 1. Your Customers Are Online Over 5 billion people use the internet globally, and many of them browse multiple platforms every day. Whether you run a local business or an e-commerce store, digital ads ensure you show up at the right time, in the right place, to the right people. 2. Highly Targeted Reach Digital advertising lets you pinpoint your ideal customer based on demographics, interests, online behavior, location, and more. Instead of wasting dollars on a broad audience, your ad budget works smarter not harder. 3. Real-Time Performance Tracking With digital ads, you’re never going to guess. You’ll see real-time metrics on impressions, clicks, conversions, and ROI. This transparency allows for continuous optimization and smarter decision-making. 4. Cost-Effective Marketing Whether you're working with a $200 budget or $20,000, digital ads are scalable. You can set daily or monthly caps, pause underperforming campaigns, and focus on high-performing keywords or audiences. It’s one of the most budget-friendly ways to test and grow. 5. Supports SEO and Organic Growth Running paid ads alongside an SEO strategy helps increase brand exposure. When users see your business in both organic results and paid placements, it builds trust and improves click-through rates, especially in competitive industries. 6. Drives Measurable Business Results From driving traffic to increasing sales or generating leads, digital advertising is directly tied to business growth. With a clear call-to-action and optimized landing pages, your ads can guide users straight to conversion. Digital Ads in Action: What We Do at True North Technologies At True North Technologies, we partner with businesses to create digital advertising strategies that are built around your unique goals. Whether you're aiming to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or drive online sales, we focus on delivering measurable results through smart targeting, engaging creative, and continuous optimization. Our team manages every step of the process, from campaign planning and audience research to ad design, performance tracking, and strategic adjustments. We’re not just setting up ads, we’re building a system that works in sync with your overall digital marketing strategy. Real Talk: Digital Ads vs. “Doing Nothing” Some business owners hesitate to invest in ads because they’ve tried it in the past without success or think their organic traffic will carry them. But in 2025, doing nothing is riskier than trying something new. Competitors are already reaching your customers online. If you’re not showing up in search results or social feeds, you’re invisible. And invisibility doesn’t grow revenue. Final Thoughts Digital advertising isn’t just about getting clicks, it’s about driving real business outcomes in a digital-first world. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and essential for any business looking to scale in today’s marketplace. If you're ready to start seeing measurable results from your marketing efforts, we’re here to help. At True North Technologies, we make digital ads easy, strategic, and impactful. Ready to grow your business with digital advertising? Let’s talk!