3 Ways To Get People To Call Your Business From Google Business Listings
Phone calls aren't just another indicator of a successful local business; they're direct, high-intent leads. However, simply having your number displayed is insufficient. You're losing calls (and money) if your Google Business Profile (GBP) and other listings aren't optimized.
Here's how to make the most of your local company listing to increase incoming calls and establish a connection with the clients that most need you.
1. Make Your Phone Number Click-to-Call Ready & Visible
The biggest mistake businesses make? Burying or incorrectly formatting their phone number. If a customer has to search for it, you’ve already lost them.
How to get it right:
Ensure your number is prominently displayed on your Google Business Profile, website, and any other local listings (Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, etc.).
Use a click-to-call format for mobile users. Most directories automatically enable this, but double-check that your number is clickable in your website’s HTML (tel:+1234567890).
Keep your number consistent across all platforms to avoid confusion and prevent search engines from treating different variations as separate businesses.
If you use call tracking, choose a Google-approved tracking number and set your primary business number as a secondary option to avoid NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) inconsistencies.
Check out Google’s Business Profile guidelines to ensure your contact info is formatted correctly.
2. Optimize Your Listing for Voice Search & Local SEO
Many customers find businesses via voice search ("Hey Siri, call the best plumber near me"). If your listing isn’t optimized for these queries, you’re missing out on potential calls.
How to get it right:
Use natural, conversational keywords in your business description and posts (e.g., "Need an emergency plumber? Call us now!" instead of keyword stuffing with "plumber near me").
Answer common customer questions directly in your Google Business Profile Q&A section.
Keep your business hours updated—voice assistants prioritize businesses that are open and available.
Encourage reviews that mention phone interactions (e.g., "I called and got an appointment right away"). This signals to search engines that your business is responsive via phone.
Read Google’s guide on call tracking to see how you can measure call performance.
3. Leverage Google Posts & Call-to-Action Features
Your Google Business Profile isn’t just a static listing—it’s a marketing tool. Google Posts and built-in call-to-action (CTA) features can help drive more phone calls.
How to get it right:
Use Google Posts to highlight services, promotions, or urgent updates with a clear CTA like "Call now to book!"
Add a "Call" button directly to your Google Business Profile. This makes it one tap for mobile users to reach you.
If you’re in an industry that allows Google’s ‘Request a Call’ feature, enable it to make scheduling easier.
Regularly update your profile with new offers or announcements to stay relevant in search results.
Check out Moz’s local SEO guide for more tips on improving your local rankings through reviews.
The Bottom Line: Every Call Matters
Improving your local business listing for phone calls is about more than simply being visible; it's more so about lowering barriers so that clients can get in touch with you right away. Making your number prominent, optimizing for voice search, and using Google's built-in features will guarantee that consumers contact you when they're ready.
Take a few minutes to audit your listing today—those missed calls might be your next biggest customer.
