Every business owner wants more customers. And most people find businesses through Google. But paying for Google Ads can get expensive fast—$1,000, $5,000, even $10,000 per month.
The good news? You can get more customers from Google without spending a dime on ads. It’s called organic search, and it works.
In this guide, you’ll learn simple strategies to get more customers from Google naturally and sustainably.
Why Getting Customers From Google Matters
When someone searches “plumber near me” or “best coffee shop in Brooklyn,” they’re ready to buy. These are high-intent searches—people actively looking for what you offer.
The statistics are clear:
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine
- 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results
- Organic search drives 53% of all website traffic
If your business shows up on Google’s first page, you get customers. If you’re on page 2 or beyond, you’re invisible.
Understanding How Google Works (The Simple Version)
Google’s job is to show the best, most relevant results for every search. To do this, Google looks at:
- Relevance – Does your website match what people are searching for?
- Authority – Is your website trustworthy and credible?
- User Experience – Is your website fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to use?
- Content Quality – Does your website provide valuable information?
When you optimize these four factors, you get more customers from Google without paying for ads.
Strategy 1: Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the fastest way to get more customers from Google, especially for local businesses.
Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Claim and verify your listing
- Go to google.com/business
- Search for your business
- Claim it and verify ownership
Step 2: Complete every section
- Business name
- Address and phone number
- Business hours
- Website URL
- Business category
- Service areas
- Business description (use your keywords naturally)
Step 3: Add high-quality photos
- Upload at least 10 photos
- Include exterior, interior, products, and team photos
- Update photos regularly
Step 4: Get customer reviews
- Ask satisfied customers for reviews
- Respond to all reviews (positive and negative)
- Make it easy with direct review links
The Result: Businesses with optimized Google Business Profiles get 7x more visits than those without.
Strategy 2: Target Local Search Keywords
Local keywords help you get more customers from Google in your specific area.
Examples of local keywords:
- “dentist in Chicago”
- “best pizza Brooklyn”
- “San Francisco plumber”
- “accounting services near me”
How to use local keywords:
- Include your city/area in your website content
- Homepage title: “Best Coffee Shop in Portland | [Your Business Name]”
- Service pages: “Professional House Cleaning in Austin, TX”
- Create location-specific pages
- If you serve multiple areas, create separate pages for each
- Use location keywords naturally
- Don’t stuff keywords awkwardly
- Write for humans first, search engines second
- Add location info to your website footer
- Address, phone number, service areas
Pro Tip: Professional website development services can help structure your site for optimal local SEO performance.
Strategy 3: Create Helpful Content That Answers Questions
Content marketing is one of the most effective ways to get more customers from Google without ads.
Why it works: When you answer questions people are searching for, Google rewards you with rankings.
What kind of content to create:
Blog posts answering common questions:
- “How much does [your service] cost?”
- “How to choose a [your industry] professional”
- “Common [your industry] problems and solutions”
- “DIY vs. hiring a professional for [your service]”
Step-by-step guides:
- “Complete guide to [topic in your industry]”
- “How to [solve problem] in 5 steps”
Local area content:
- “Best [your service] in [your city]”
- “[Your city] guide to [your industry]”
Content tips:
- Write at least 1,000 words per blog post
- Use clear headings and subheadings
- Include images and videos
- Answer the question completely
- Update content regularly
Strategy 4: Get Your Website Basics Right
To get more customers from Google, your website needs these essential elements:
Mobile-friendly design
- Over 60% of searches happen on mobile
- Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites
- Test yours at google.com/test/mobile-friendly
Fast loading speed
- Aim for under 3 seconds
- Compress images
- Use good hosting
- Minimize plugins and scripts
Clear navigation
- Make it easy to find information
- Simple menu structure
- Contact info visible on every page
SSL certificate (HTTPS)
- Google requires secure websites
- Shows “Secure” in the browser
- Most hosting includes free SSL
Contact information
- Phone number in header
- Contact form on every page
- Address if you have a physical location
If your website needs these improvements, consider professional website development and SEO services to ensure everything is optimized correctly.
Strategy 5: Build Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They’re like votes of confidence that tell Google your site is trustworthy.
How to get quality backlinks:
1. Get listed in online directories
- Yelp, Yellow Pages, industry-specific directories
- Chamber of Commerce website
- Better Business Bureau
2. Partner with local businesses
- Cross-promote with complementary businesses
- Write guest posts for local blogs
- Sponsor local events
3. Create shareable content
- Infographics
- Original research or surveys
- Comprehensive guides
- Local resources
4. Get media coverage
- Reach out to local news outlets
- Offer expert commentary
- Share interesting business stories
Warning: Avoid buying links or using link farms. Google penalizes these tactics.
Strategy 6: Use Schema Markup
Schema markup is code that helps Google understand your website better. It’s technical but powerful.
Benefits of schema markup:
- Enhanced search results (star ratings, prices, hours)
- Higher click-through rates
- Better visibility in search
Common schema types for local businesses:
- LocalBusiness schema
- Review schema
- FAQ schema
- Product schema
- Service schema
How to implement:
- Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper
- Hire a developer for complex implementations
- Use WordPress plugins (if on WordPress)
Strategy 7: Optimize for “Near Me” Searches
“Near me” searches have grown over 900% in recent years. People searching “restaurants near me” or “urgent care near me” are ready to visit immediately.
How to capture “near me” searches:
- Claim and optimize Google Business Profile (see Strategy 1)
- Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across all online listings
- Include location keywords in your website content
- Get reviews from local customers
- Create location-specific content
Strategy 8: Monitor and Improve Your Results
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Track your progress to get more customers from Google consistently.
Essential tools (all free):
Google Analytics
- Track website visitors
- See which pages perform best
- Understand user behavior
Google Search Console
- Monitor search rankings
- See which keywords bring traffic
- Identify technical issues
Key metrics to watch:
- Organic traffic (visitors from search)
- Keyword rankings
- Conversion rate (visitors who become customers)
- Bounce rate (people who leave immediately)
- Time on site
Monthly checklist:
- Review top-performing content
- Identify ranking opportunities
- Update old content
- Create new content based on search trends
Common Mistakes That Prevent You From Getting More Customers
Mistake 1: Inconsistent business information
- Having different addresses or phone numbers across the web confuses Google
Mistake 2: Neglecting mobile users
- If your site doesn’t work on phones, you lose 60% of potential customers
Mistake 3: Thin, low-quality content
- Short, uninformative pages won’t rank well
Mistake 4: Ignoring local SEO
- Local businesses MUST optimize for local search
Mistake 5: Not asking for reviews
- Reviews are crucial for local rankings and trust
Mistake 6: Expecting instant results
- SEO takes 3-6 months to show significant results
- But the results are sustainable and cost-effective
How Long Does It Take to Get More Customers From Google?
Honest timeline:
- Weeks 1-4: Technical setup, optimization, content creation
- Months 2-3: Google starts indexing and ranking your content
- Months 4-6: Noticeable traffic increases and customer inquiries
- Months 6-12: Consistent growth and established rankings
The key: Consistency. Businesses that commit to these strategies see compound growth over time.
DIY vs. Professional Help
You can do this yourself if:
- You have 10-15 hours per week to dedicate
- You’re comfortable with basic technology
- You can write clear, helpful content
- You’re patient and consistent
Consider professional help if:
- You need faster results
- Your time is better spent running your business
- You want expert strategy and execution
- You’re in a competitive market
Professional SEO and online marketing services can accelerate your results and ensure you’re following best practices while you focus on serving customers.
Action Plan: Start Getting More Customers This Week
This Week:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Check if your website is mobile-friendly
- Add location keywords to your homepage
- Set up Google Analytics and Search Console
This Month:
- Write 2-3 blog posts answering common customer questions
- Get listed in 5-10 relevant directories
- Ask 10 happy customers for Google reviews
- Ensure all online listings have consistent information
Ongoing:
- Publish new content weekly or bi-weekly
- Monitor your rankings and traffic
- Respond to all reviews
- Build relationships for backlinks
- Update and improve existing content
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a massive advertising budget to get more customers from Google. With consistent effort using these strategies, you can build sustainable, free traffic that brings in customers month after month.
The best part? Unlike paid ads that stop working the moment you stop paying, organic search traffic is an asset that grows over time.
Start with your Google Business Profile today. Optimize your website. Create helpful content. Be patient and consistent.
The customers are searching. Make sure they find you.
Need help getting more customers from Google? Buildora Infotech specializes in SEO and online marketing that delivers real results. We help small businesses get found online and turn searches into customers. Visit buildorainfotech.com/ to learn how we can boost your online visibility.