How to Set Up Google Business Profile for Vet Clinics - Step-by-Step
- Hookle
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Did you know that according to Pet Parent Research, 77% of pet owners search online before booking a vet appointment? If your veterinary clinic isn’t showing up in those searches, you’re losing potential clients to competitors.
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help local pet owners find - and trust - your clinic. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up your vet clinic’s GBP step-by-step, plus give you industry-specific tips to make it stand out.
Once your profile is live, you can connect it to social media management tools such as Hookle to post updates and manage your Google and social media accounts all in one place - saving you time so you can focus on caring for your patients.
Table of Contents
1. What is Google Business Profile?
Before we dive into setting it up, let’s quickly cover what Google Business Profile is.
It’s a free tool from Google that lets you control how your clinic appears on Search and Maps. For a veterinary clinic, it means showing up when pet owners search “vet near me,” displaying your hours, contact details, photos, reviews, and even updates like health tips or adoption events.
Business Profile is your vet clinic’s digital storefront on Google
In short, it’s your clinic’s digital storefront on Google - helping pet owners discover you, trust you, and book with confidence.
2. Why Google Business Profile Matters for Vet Clinics
For most pet owners, the search for a vet begins online. And it’s easy to guess which clinic they’ll choose - one with glowing reviews or one with lower ratings.
A complete, well-optimized Google Business Profile ensures your clinic shows up in those searches and makes a strong first impression.
Boosts local visibility - When pet owners search "vet near me", Google prioritizes businesses with complete profiles.
Builds trust - Reviews, high-quality photos, and accurate details make clients confident in choosing your clinic.
Drives bookings - GBP integrates with Google Maps so people can call, message, or get directions instantly.
3. What You Need Before You Start
Setting up your profile goes faster when you have the right details ready. Gather these essentials before you begin.
Your clinic’s name as it should appear online
Address or service area (for mobile vets)
Phone number and website
Logo and brand assets
High-quality photos (staff with pets, exam rooms, reception area, exterior signage, pet adoption board)
List of veterinary services offered
4. Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Google Business Profile
Follow these simple steps to get your profile up and running. Don’t have a Google Business Profile yet? No worries - it’s free, and you can create one in minutes right here.
Go to business.google.com and click “Manage now.”
Enter your clinic name and select the right category:
Primary: Veterinary Care
Secondary: Animal Hospital, Pet Service
Add your location or service area.
Enter contact details.
Verify your business (postcard, phone, or email).
Upload your logo and at least 5 high-quality images.
Set your business hours.
Add a keyword-rich description (e.g., "Compassionate veterinary care in [City] offering wellness exams, vaccinations, surgery, and dental services for pets").
5. Vet Clinic Optimization Tips
Once your profile is live, fine-tune it to attract your ideal clients. As an example above, Wicker Park Veterinary Clinic from Chicago has a well-optimized profile - with great photos and strong reviews that speak for themselves.
Use “Veterinary Care” as your primary category and add relevant secondary categories.
Post photos of your team with pets, behind-the-scenes shots, and community events like pet adoptions.
Pre-answer common questions in the Q&A section (e.g., “Do you treat exotic pets?”).
Post updates such as vaccination reminders, seasonal pet care tips, and event announcements.
Highlight emergency services or specialty care if available.
6. How to Keep Your GBP Fresh & Active
An active profile shows pet owners that your clinic is open, responsive, and trustworthy. Make it count by keeping your profile updated and publishing posts regularly:
Post weekly updates with pet care tips, promotions, or adoption news.
Add seasonal or event-related photos.
Respond to all reviews - especially negative ones - to show you care.
Update hours and services during holidays or special events.
Check GBP insights to see how pet owners are finding you.
You can update your profile manually on Google, or save time with scheduling tools that let you post to Google and your social channels all at once. Let's dive into that next.
7. Manage Your GBP and Social Media Together
Managing your Google Business Profile doesn’t have to be separate from your social media. With the right scheduling tool - such as Hookle - you can post updates, share news, and respond to feedback across Google and all your socials from one simple dashboard, keeping everything consistent and saving hours each week.
A well-maintained GBP is one of the easiest ways to attract new pet owners and build trust in your community. By keeping it active with fresh photos, timely updates, and quick responses to reviews, you’ll stay visible when it matters most.
With Hookle, you can manage GBP and socials in one easy app
With Hookle, you can connect your vet clinic’s Google Business Profile, Facebook, Instagram, and more - and manage everything in one easy app. Schedule posts, get AI-powered content suggestions tailored to your veterinary brand, and keep your presence consistent everywhere without the hassle.
Don’t just take our word for it - try it yourself. Download Hookle free today and see how easy it is to keep your Google Business Profile and social media active, consistent, and working for you.
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