Here's the short answer: very.
Here's the much longer answer:
If you were to become a client of Mahone Bay Web Design, and your goal was to increase your site traffic, the first thing you'd be asked is whether or not you have a Google Business Profile (GBP). And if you don't have one, you'd be told to get one, pronto. This is not something we can do for you. You have to do this part on your own. If you're serious about boosting your web presence, the sooner this happens, the better.
Why? Google searches are the way most businesses are found. The more Google knows about your business, the more likely it is to return it in searches, meaning you'll get found by more customers.
Also, a GBP shows up on Maps, so people who are passing nearby and looking for businesses like yours "near me" will find you that way.
A GBP allows you to post pictures and text, just like on a real private website. The catch is that the posts will only stay up for 90 days. But that should give you plenty of time to come up with a little bit of fresh content. Once Google sees you making an effort there, your rank will get another boost. Photos and posts will engage visitors and make them more likely to give your business a chance.
A GBP is free to set up, and it's something you can get started on now, if you don't have one. When you start collecting customer reviews and comments, those can be featured on your website, which will increase your social verification, which in turn tends to lead to more conversions.
A conversion happens when someone takes an action on your site. They are converted from a casual browser to a user, and a potential lead. That action can be anything: clicking a Buy button, signing up for a newsletter, or downloading a form, for example. The more effective your site is at converting, the more business you'll get.
Google offers other incredibly useful free services as well. Google Analytics will give a business owner rich, detailed historical data about the people who use their site, including where they come from, how they found you, how long they stayed, and what they did while they were visiting. Google records all this information about a site's visitors. Using this data, site owners can improve and fine-tune their metrics, develop content in new areas, and expand their reach intelligently.
Here's a link to getting started with a Google Business Profile. If you have questions, feel free to reach out!