Using WhatsApp and Google Maps Together to Get More Local Leads
Many local customers prefer WhatsApp to calling. Here’s how to connect WhatsApp with your Google Business Profile and website to turn more searches into leads.
Read articleMany business owners receive a monthly SEO report full of charts — and still can’t answer one simple question: “Are we getting more customers?” A good report should answer that on the first page.
The numbers that really matter
- Calls from Google. How many people tapped “Call” on your Google Business Profile.
- Direction requests. For shops and clinics, this is the closest sign of a real visit.
- Website clicks and enquiries. How many people visited your site from Google — and how many filled a form or messaged you.
- Searches that found you. Which search terms people used to discover your profile.
- Reviews. New reviews this month, your average rating, and whether every review got a reply.
Rankings — the right way
Rankings matter, but a single number like “we are #2” can be misleading. Your position changes depending on where the customer is standing. A good report shows rankings across your service area — for example, a grid of points around your business — so you see where you’re strong and where you’re invisible.
What should be compared
- This month vs last month — to see the direction.
- This month vs the same month last year — to remove seasonal ups and downs (festivals, admissions, holidays).
Vanity metrics you can mostly ignore
- Total “impressions” without any calls or visits behind them.
- Rankings for keywords nobody actually searches.
- Long lists of “tasks completed” without results attached.
Questions to ask whoever does your SEO
- How many calls, directions and enquiries did Google bring us this month?
- What changed, and why do you think it changed?
- What will you focus on next month?
In my case studies — like the saree store with 1,663 direction requests — these are exactly the numbers I report. If your current report doesn’t show them, let’s talk.
