📸 30+ Google Business Profile Photos Every Local Business Should Be Taking [Checklist]

SmartBoost Digital Marketing
Aug 29
5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

The Ultimate Checklist to Boost Visibility and Attract Local Customers

📸 30+ Google Business Profile Photo Ideas [Checklist to Boost Local SEO]

If you want to show up more in Google Maps and rank higher in local search, there’s a surprisingly easy place to start:

Your photos.

One of the most overlooked features of your Google Business Profile (GBP) is also one of the most powerful. Your photos don’t just decorate your profile—they impact whether someone finds you, trusts you, and ultimately does business with you.

This guide breaks down 30+ photo ideas any local business can capture to improve rankings, build trust, and get more calls, clicks, and foot traffic.

🤔 Why Do GBP Photos Matter for SEO?

Optimizing your Google Business Profile photos helps you:

Show up more often in local search and Google Maps
Get more clicks, calls, and direction requests
Build instant trust with potential customers
Make your business look active, real, and professional

According to BrightLocal, businesses with more than 100 GBP photos get 520% more calls than those with fewer. That’s huge—and the best part? You can start improving your profile today with the phone in your pocket.

Let’s get into the checklist.

🏪 Must-Have Exterior Photos

Make your business easy to find—before they ever visit.

Your exterior photos are often the first thing people see. Help new customers recognize your location from the street and feel confident pulling into your parking lot.

📸 Photos to capture:

✅ Storefront with visible signage
✅ Close-up of your entrance or front door
✅ Monument or marquee signs
✅ Street view of your block or shopping center
✅ Neighboring businesses or buildings
✅ Parking lot and directional signage
✅ Company vehicles with branding

💡 Pro Tip: Take a few shots at different times of day—morning light, sunset glow, even a rainy day. Variety helps your listing feel fresh and dynamic.

🏠 Interior Photos That Set Expectations

People want to know what to expect before they walk in.

Interior shots help customers imagine the experience—and make decisions faster. Whether you run a spa, bakery, or law office, these photos set the tone.

👥 With People (showing your team in action):

Uniformed staff helping customers
Team working behind the scenes
Candid moments with the owner or manager
Full team photo or group shot
Customer service interactions (with permission)

🪑 Without People (highlighting your space):

Reception or waiting areas
Service rooms or private offices
Coffee bar, kids’ area, water station
Decor or seasonal displays

💡 Pro Tip: Clean up clutter, shoot in natural light, and avoid heavy filters. Keep it real—but make it your best.

🕰️ Show Your Longevity

Established = trustworthy. Show them you’ve been around.

People love doing business with companies that have history. Even if you’re not a decades-old brand, you likely have milestones worth showing off.

📸 Ideas to include:

“Then vs. Now” photos of your space
Opening day vs. today
Generational ownership or family involvement
Renovation or rebranding shots
Milestones like anniversaries or grand re-openings

💡 Pro Tip: Use captions to tell the story. Dates, names, and short descriptions help Google and your customers understand the context.

😊 Capture the Customer Experience

Social proof works—even in photos.

Happy customers are your best sales team. When people see others enjoying your business, they’re more likely to trust you too.

📸 Great customer moments to capture:

Customers posing with your team
Selfie wall or branded photo op
People using your product or service
Before/after transformations (think: hair, teeth, fitness)
Candid interactions in your space
A wall of testimonials or 5-star reviews

⚠️ Just a heads-up: Always get permission before posting identifiable photos—especially of kids or clients in sensitive industries like healthcare or wellness.

🏆 Highlight Your Brand Identity

Show what makes you you.

Your photos should reflect your values, personality, and professionalism. Brand identity photos are the quiet heroes that say, “We’re legit.”

📸 What to include:

Your logo on signage, uniforms, or packaging
Branded promo materials or ads
Awards, certifications, or plaques
Mission statement or core values displayed
Guarantees or satisfaction signage
Visuals that match your website/social style

💡 Pro Tip: Consistency counts. Use similar tones and backgrounds to match the rest of your brand visuals.

🔁 How to Keep Your GBP Photos Fresh

Uploading once and forgetting about it? That won’t cut it.

Google favors active listings—meaning the ones that update regularly with photos, reviews, and posts. Fresh content shows you're engaged and open for business.

Here’s how to stay consistent (without burning out):

📅 Build a Monthly Photo Routine

Set a calendar reminder to add 3–5 new photos each month. Rotate categories: one month it's team photos, next month it's exteriors, next month it's customer selfies.

👥 Make It a Team Effort

Encourage staff to snap photos of interesting moments—fun team lunch, decorated lobby, or a glowing customer review on the wall. Create a shared Google Drive folder for uploads.

📱 Repurpose What You Already Have

If you're posting to Instagram or Facebook, reuse those same visuals on your GBP. (Google loves consistency.)

🎥 Don’t Forget About Video

Short, 30–60 second clips can bring your listing to life. Show a walk-through of your space, a behind-the-scenes moment, or a happy customer talking about their experience.

🛠️ Real-World Examples (and What They’re Doing Right)

Need a little inspiration? Here are examples of how other local businesses use GBP photos well:

💼 A Boutique Hair Salon

Before/after hair transformations
Interior decor and mirrors with great lighting
Stylists interacting with clients
Logo on aprons and wall signage
Customer selfies with branded photo backdrop

🥗 A Fast-Casual Restaurant

Storefront with outdoor seating
Close-up of menu items
Staff prepping in the kitchen
Customers enjoying meals
Weekly feature photo updates for new specials

🦷 A Family Dental Practice

Front desk with friendly staff
Hygienists in PPE with smiles
Waiting room with kid-friendly area
Logo on the wall behind reception
Certificates and “We love our patients” signs

These aren’t fancy productions—just smart, intentional content.

❌ Common GBP Photo Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make missteps. Watch out for these:

Only uploading one type of photo (e.g., just your sign)
Using blurry, low-res, or dark photos
Over-editing or using heavy filters
Leaving your photo gallery untouched for months
Forgetting to include people or personality
Posting stock photos instead of real ones

💡 Pro Tip: You don’t need to be perfect—just consistent, real, and helpful.

📈 Final Takeaway: Your GBP Photos Are a Ranking Signal and a First Impression

When people search for your business—or businesses like yours—they’re not just reading your name. They’re looking at your photos.

Great photos can help you:

Show up more in local and map searches
Build trust instantly
Get more calls, clicks, and customers
Stand out from competitors with inactive or outdated listings

And the best part? You don’t need a fancy camera or a big budget. You just need to be intentional.

So take 15 minutes this week, grab your phone, and start snapping. Your future customers are already searching.

🚀 Want Help Optimizing Your Google Business Profile?

At SmartBoost Digital Marketing, we help local businesses like yours:

Optimize their Google Business Profile
Develop photo and content strategies
Improve local SEO rankings
Turn Google searches into real-world visits

👉 Book your free consultation and let’s build a GBP that works harder for your business.

🧠 Related Resources

🔗 Trusted Sources

Google’s Official Photo Guidelines for Business Profiles
BrightLocal: Google Business Profile Photo Insights
Moz: Local SEO Ranking Factors