Google Business Profile vs. Website: Which Should You Prioritize First?

The age-old question that keeps Johnson City business owners up at night (well, maybe not literally, but it should)

Picture this: You’re a small business owner in Johnson City, and you’ve got exactly $1,000 burning a hole in your marketing budget. Your cousin Steve keeps telling you to “get on the Google,” while your neighbor Janet swears you need a fancy website first. Meanwhile, you’re standing there like a deer in headlights, wondering if you should flip a coin or consult a Magic 8-Ball.

Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. At ①-FIND, we get this question more often than we get asked about the weather (and trust us, that’s saying something here in East Tennessee). So let’s settle this debate once and for all, shall we?

The Short Answer (For Those Who Don’t Like Suspense)

Google Business Profile first, website second.

There, we said it. But before you close this tab and go create your profile, stick around—because the “why” behind this answer might surprise you.

Why Your Google Business Profile is Like Your Digital Storefront

Think of your Google Business Profile as your storefront window on State of Franklin Road. When someone walks by (or in this case, searches “plumber near me” at 2 AM because their basement is flooding), what’s the first thing they see?

Your Google Business Profile shows up in local search results, Google Maps, and even when people search for your business name directly. It’s often the very first impression potential customers get of your business. And just like you wouldn’t leave your physical storefront looking shabby, you don’t want your digital storefront to be a hot mess either.

Here’s what makes your Google Business Profile so powerful:

It’s Free Real Estate (and we mean literally free—unlike that premium domain name you’ve been eyeing). Google gives you this prime digital real estate at exactly zero cost. The only investment is your time setting it up properly.

Instant Credibility comes from customer reviews, photos, and basic business information all in one place. When someone sees you have 47 five-star reviews and photos of your actual work, they’re more likely to trust you than your competitor who has a fancy website but zero online presence.

Mobile-First World means most of your customers are searching on their phones. Your Google Business Profile is already perfectly optimized for mobile, while that website you built in 2015… well, let’s just say it might not look so hot on a smartphone.

But Wait, Don’t Websites Matter?

Of course they do! We’re a web design agency—if we told you websites didn’t matter, we’d be out of business faster than a snow cone stand in January.

Here’s the thing though: your website is like your showroom, while your Google Business Profile is like your street sign. People need to find you before they can appreciate your beautiful showroom.

A website becomes crucial when:

  • You need to showcase detailed portfolios or case studies
  • Your business requires appointment booking or e-commerce functionality
  • You want to establish authority through blog content (like this very post!)
  • You need more space to tell your story and explain your services

The Perfect One-Two Punch Strategy

Here’s what we recommend to most of our Johnson City clients (and yes, this works whether you’re in Jonesborough or Kingsport too):

Phase 1: Nail Your Google Business Profile

  • Complete every single field (seriously, every one)
  • Upload high-quality photos of your work, team, and location
  • Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews
  • Post regular updates about your services or projects
  • Respond to reviews (yes, even the not-so-great ones)

Phase 2: Build Your Website

  • Create a professional site that supports and expands on your Google Business Profile
  • Include all the same information for consistency
  • Add deeper content like case studies, detailed service pages, and that blog you keep meaning to start
  • Make sure it’s mobile-friendly (we can’t stress this enough)

The Real-World Results

We recently worked with a local tree service company that followed this exact strategy. They spent their first month perfecting their Google Business Profile—adding photos, collecting reviews, and posting updates about their work around the Tri-Cities area.

Result? They started getting calls within two weeks, before their website was even finished.

Once we launched their website, their credibility skyrocketed. Customers who found them through Google could then visit their site to see detailed before-and-after photos, read testimonials, and easily book services online.

The Bottom Line: Google Business Profile vs. Website (In True East Tennessee Fashion)

Look, we’re not going to sugarcoat it: you need both eventually. But if you’re starting from square one with limited resources, get your Google Business Profile dialed in first. It’s like planting your flag in the digital territory of Johnson City and saying, “Hey, we’re here, we’re legit, and we’re ready to help.”

Then, when you’re ready to level up (and hopefully with a bit more budget), invest in a website that turns those Google searchers into loyal customers.

Remember, in the world of digital marketing, being found is half the battle. Your Google Business Profile gets you found; your website gets you chosen.

Ready to dominate local search in Johnson City and the Tri-Cities? At ①-FIND, we help small businesses get found online without the confusion or tech headaches. Let’s chat about getting your Google Business Profile optimized and your website converting visitors into customers.

Casey Carmical
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