Businesses with photos on their Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) listings receive 42% more requests for driving directions to their locations, according to Google research. There’s also a correlation between photo quantity and search performance: profiles with more photos tend to do better in search.
Companies with crisp, clear cover photos on Google attract more customers to their websites and bring in more business. When potential customers search for your business, this is likely the first picture they’ll see in the search results and the first impression you’ll make.
Put simply, optimizing the photos on your Business Profile helps your business stand out from the competition. Cover photos are a great place to start for a few reasons:
- They show that your business is a real place, first and foremost, but also a welcoming one for new customers.
- If you have a brick-and-mortar business, like an automotive shop, it makes it easier for customers to find you in the real world, not just on Google Maps — they know what branding, logos, and signage to look out for.
- They can provide visual proof of the quality of your work. Stylish homes in your real estate portfolio, state-of-the-art light fixture installations, or beautiful bathroom remodels — they’re all great options to show off in your cover photo to catch a new customer’s eye.
You can’t just add any photo, though. Your cover photo should be well-lit and realistic to appeal to customers, and it should be sized and uploaded correctly to your Google Business Profile. Choose and upload a cover photo that represents your brand well to get more calls and clicks to your business, and use some great industry examples to guide you.
Tips for choosing a great cover photo for your Google Business Profile
When choosing your cover photo, consider your company’s visual branding, image specifications, and how to actually upload the photo to your profile.
1. Keep your company’s brand in mind
For customers searching for your business online or through Google Maps, your cover photo is the first thing they’ll see. Make sure it’s in line with the rest of your brand.
Photography is a key part of your company’s visual branding — the visual elements that evoke your company’s identity and values. Capture what it is that makes your company special and what your business is all about so that customers know what they can expect from you at first glance.
You might try a photo of your work van with your business name or logo on the side, so customers know immediately that you’re, for example, a home service professional and you’re always on the go. Or consider a photo of your team of trusted attorneys or a job you’re proud of that shows off your best work — like a pool install or landscape design, for instance.
No matter your unique branding, make sure that you follow Google’s image guidelines around quality and that your cover photo represents reality — it isn’t overly doctored or filtered, and it represents the work that you do.
2. Optimize your image specifications
Image specs like aspect ratio, file size, and resolution can all affect the overall quality of your cover photo and, in turn, how your photo is perceived by your potential customers. It’s important to optimize for these specifications beforehand instead of shoehorning your photo into the recommended dimensions and then cropping out half your storefront.
The 16:9 aspect ratio looks the best in Google Maps — one of the most popular apps that customers will use to find local businesses. The best dimensions for this ratio are 1080x608 pixels. At that size, your photo will be high-res; keep this in mind when you’re taking your photo and when you’re editing it. Keep the subject of your photo in the center when you’re taking the picture, so you can crop down on the height when you go to edit.
Google also recommends using a PNG or JPG file format and a file size between 10 KB and 5 MB. If the file size is too large, you can try and optimize by uploading as a JPG instead of a PNG.
3. Upload to your profile
Finally, you need to set your image as your cover photo so that Google knows where to display it. You can do this from a desktop computer, an Android device, or an iPhone or iPad.
- On desktop: In your Account Profile, go to Photos > Overview > Cover, then upload your image.
- On Android: Go to Upload > Profile > Photos, select your image, and then click “Set as cover photo.”
- On iPhone/iPad: Go to your Account Profile and click “Add a cover photo.”
Great Google Business Profile cover photo examples
Here are some examples you can use to guide your own cover photo selection process from a few SMB verticals: real estate agencies, law firms, and home service companies. These examples showcase cover photos that are well-lit, appealing, and strong representations of each business’s brand personality.
Cover Photo Examples for Realtors
Cabot and Company Real Estate
For their cover photo, this real estate agency used a beautiful picture of a living room from one of their listings. The photo is bright and airy and shows off some gorgeous interior design skills — who wouldn’t want to list their home with an agency like this?
How to apply this to your own cover photo: Use a recent photo from one of your own properties that captures the beauty and spirit of the properties you typically list. You’ll appeal to potential sellers in the same area and help them feel right at home with your agency.
Mont Sky Real Estate
Mont Sky chose to showcase one of their agents in their cover photo to connect with potential real estate clients on a personal level. The image is still bright and professionally shot, but instead of the welcoming view of a sunny living room, their agent is there to welcome new clients.
How to apply this to your own cover photo: Your agents are at the heart of your agency’s brand personality. Feature them in your cover photo, but keep the mood light to showcase their positive energy and passion for your clients.
Cover Photo Examples for Law Firms
Reiff Law Firm
Reiff Law Firm, which specializes in personal injury law, immediately establishes a connection between their line of work and a potential challenge for their clients: the aftermath of a car accident. Searchers know right away that this attorney can help them in cases related to car accidents, making it an effective cover photo.
How to apply this to your own cover photo: Reference the type of law your firm practices directly in your cover photo so that you can catch the eye of potential clients. You’ll draw an immediate visual connection between what clients are searching for and how your firm can help.
Barrett & Farahany
With this cover photo, potential legal clients can see right away the team of people who will be working on their case. It’s a bright, professional staff photo that helps to establish a personal connection with the audience.
How to apply this to your own cover photo: Shoot a professional photo of your staff at your offices that will invoke confidence among people who are searching for legal assistance.
Cover Photo Examples for Home Services
Southernwind Pools, Inc.
Southernwind Pools in McKinney, Texas, chose a photo of a custom pool they installed, complete with a stone arch and a shimmering waterfall. Their cover photo shows off the quality of their craftsmanship and the total relaxation that their customers can expect once the job is finished.
How to apply this to your own cover photo: Instead of taking a tired-looking photo of your offices, upload a cover photo that shows off your custom handiwork and how you’re going to deliver for your customers.
Blu-Lite Electrical Services Ltd
Blu-Lite’s cover photo also highlights the quality of their work and lets customers know the services they can expect from a Blu-Lite electrician. With just a quick glance, we can see custom light fixtures over the kitchen island, high hats on the ceiling, a bright light over the stovetop, and access lighting under the cabinets.
How to apply this to your own cover photo: Use a photo that captures a multitude of the services you offer, no matter your specific line of work. The photo will resonate immediately with customers who are searching for those services, and you’ll soon be getting calls from qualified leads to schedule appointments.
Continue optimizing your Google Business Profile
Once your Google Business Profile cover photo is set, there’s plenty more you can do to keep optimizing your profile. Add more photos (and get your customers to share photos, too!), post business updates and deals, earn positive customer reviews, and measure your account performance to see how you’re doing. Check out CallRail’s ultimate guide to optimize your Google Business Profile to get started.
Try CallRail free today to learn how call tracking ensures your company is making the most of the leads you acquire from your Google Business Profile.
