Why Yelp Matters and How to Set Up a Yelp Business Profile

Yelp isn’t just for foodies anymore—it’s a strategic digital marketing avenue that can elevate your visibility, boost your SEO and strengthen your overall online presence. Whether you run a local boutique, a bustling café or a community-driven nonprofit, a thoughtful Yelp profile can help you reach customers, supporters and community members.

Ready to set up your profile? Keep reading to view the guide below.

Why Yelp matters for your marketing strategy.

Want to reach more people online? Yelp can make it happen. So what role does Yelp play in an effective marketing strategy?

Yelp boosts your visibility in search results. Because of its high domain authority, Yelp pages often appear at the top of Google searches. Need proof? The data doesn’t lie.

Studies show businesses with complete Yelp profiles (including a photo, website, phone number and business hours) get 7.6 times more views than incomplete ones. About 97% of people learn about local businesses online, with 90% of people comparing on Yelp before making a decision.

And Reviews matter—a lot. Yelp hosts over 244 million reviews, influencing millions of consumers monthly. Around 90% of consumers trust positive online reviews. Conversely, 86% avoid businesses with negative or no reviews. 

Want some insider info (that we learned the Yelp for Business)?  Responding actively to feedback helps build trust and shows you’re engaged and professional. In fact, “businesses that respond to messages and requests within 24 hours get 3x more messages and requests.”

“Should my business be on Yelp?”

Honestly, it’s pretty simple. If you’re a business, Yelp can help.

Any local business serving local customers benefits greatly from Yelp’s wide audience.

• Restaurants
• Salons
• Service providers
• Retail shops

Nonprofit marketing strategies can benefit too! Use Yelp to highlight events, share success stories, recruit volunteers and attract donors through Yelp. Having a robust Yelp profile will help establish credibility with clients and make it easier to find your services.

Not on Yelp? Here’s your guide on how to set up a Yelp profile. 

Ready to create your Yelp profile? Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Claim or Create Your Yelp Page

Visit Yelp.com and select “Claim your business for free” from the Yelp for Business dropdown menu. Search your organization’s name. Claim the existing profile or create a new one.

Step 2: Optimize Your Information

Fill out all details clearly: address, phone number, website, and hours. Include keywords relevant to your business or nonprofit to boost SEO.

Step 3: Add Great Visuals

Upload engaging, high-quality photos reflecting your organization’s personality. Update your images regularly to keep your profile fresh.

Step 4: Engage with Reviews

Respond quickly and thoughtfully to all feedback—both good and bad. Ask happy customers or supporters to leave positive reviews to build credibility.

Maximize Yelp’s impact with social media marketing.

A complete profile is only the beginning of a strong Yelp strategy. Combine Yelp with your social media marketing to extend your reach.

• Share Positive Reviews: Highlight your best Yelp reviews on social media to build trust.

• Promote Exclusive Offers: Create Yelp-only deals and announce them on your social channels.

• Leverage Yelp Analytics: Analyze Yelp’s data to understand audience preferences and improve your digital marketing strategy.

• Targeted Ads: Run Yelp Ads targeting specific demographics to attract support and increase visibility.

And remember…

A well-crafted Yelp profile is more than just a listing—it’s a critical digital marketing asset. By actively managing your profile, responding to reviews and integrating Yelp into your marketing strategy, you’ll build stronger connections and see measurable growth.

Strengthen your local SEO strategy with a trusted marketing team.

Your reputation is everything when it comes to attracting and retaining business. With PR and reputation management services, SEO and web support, and more, TRIO’s full-service marketing agency protects your brand like it’s our own. Contact us today to learn more about our marketing solutions.