As the Christmas and summer holidays approach, many Kiwi businesses prepare for a well-deserved break or adjust their trading hours to accommodate the festive season. However, one detail that’s often overlooked is updating business hours on Google Business Profiles (GBP).
For business owners and marketing managers, this simple task can help save time (by decreasing the “Are you open?” messages and calls), improve customer satisfaction, and even boost sales during a competitive period.
Why It Matters
New Zealanders increasingly rely on Google to check business details like opening hours, especially during the holiday period when routines change. If your business hours aren’t updated, potential customers might show up at your door or try to call you, only to find you closed. This inconvenience can damage your reputation and lose you valuable goodwill.
Google Business Profiles act as the digital front door to your business. They’re often the first thing people see when searching for products or services. Ensuring the information is correct reinforces trust and reliability—two qualities that can set you apart from competitors.
Benefits of Updating Your Hours
Improved Customer Experience: Accurate hours make it easy for customers to plan their visit. By removing uncertainty, you help ensure a smooth customer journey from search to purchase.
Increased Visibility: Google rewards businesses that keep their profiles updated by making them more likely to appear in local search results. This can give you an edge over competitors who neglect this simple task.
Fewer Complaints and Negative Reviews: Prevent frustration by making it clear when you’re open and available. This reduces the chances of customers leaving negative reviews about wasted trips or unanswered calls.
Flexibility to Highlight Promotions: If your hours change to support special holiday promotions or summer sales, you can include a message about this when updating your profile, which helps customers know when to take advantage of these offers.
How to Update Your Hours
To update your hours, simply log into Google Business Profile Manager at business.google.com. Then use the “Special Hours” feature to indicate dates when your hours differ from the norm, such as Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s, or your entire closed period. For more detailed step-by-step instructions see our post.
A Proactive Approach Keeps Customers Happy
Taking the time now to update your business hours is a small but customer-friendly step. It helps your business maintain credibility, build trust with customers, and optimise opportunities during one of the busiest times of the year.
