On Thursday, September 11, 2025, local business owners joined LAEDA for a dynamic virtual workshop led by Sandra Garcia on optimizing their presence on Google Search and Google Maps. Participants walked away with actionable insights and hands-on guidance to make their businesses more discoverable online and attract new customers.

Garcia, a seasoned digital marketing professional, emphasized the importance of collaboration and asking questions: “Team and partnership is always better,” and “Today is about you—so ask questions.” She shared practical strategies for creating or updating a Google Business Profile, including:

SEO Optimization: Learn how to use search engine keywords to ensure your business shows up when potential customers are searching online. Sandra reminded participants, “What is it that your customer is going to type in the search engine when they are looking for you?”

Profile Verification: Understand how to use a physical address for verification—even if you work from home—to ensure your profile is approved and visible to customers.

Brand Consistency: Keep your business name and online presence consistent across all platforms for stronger branding.

Visual Appeal: Showcase your business with inviting photos—Sandra noted, “When I’m going to a new place, I want to see what it looks like from the inside before I go.”

Review Management: Collect and respond to reviews to enhance your credibility and leverage word-of-mouth marketing in the digital space.

AI Assistance: Learn how to use AI tools to craft SEO-optimized business descriptions while maintaining authenticity. Sandra cautioned, “Always review AI recommendations for accuracy.”

One key takeaway Sandra shared was the direct impact of Google visibility: “Always ask your customers what made you call me—they often say my Google Profile.” She also highlighted that businesses must have some form of in-person interaction with clients to be eligible for a Google Business Profile and that this process is crucial for building trust and credibility online.

This hands-on session, hosted by LAEDA, equipped business owners with practical tools, strategies, and confidence to enhance their online presence, attract clients, and showcase their businesses in the best light.

If you have any questions or want additional guidance, you can contact Sandra directly at SanGarcia@Google.com.

For more resources for your small business please visit google.com/grow.
Please use the following link to learn more about our extensive training programs.

After all, in today’s digital world, being found is the first step to being chosen.