Google Business Profile Guide for Farmers Markets 

Why Google Business Profiles Matter

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your market’s front door on Google Search & Maps. When people search “farmers market near me,” a complete, photo-rich profile with accurate hours wins the click, the directions tap, and the visit. For seasonal markets with limited selling windows, this is the difference between steady foot traffic and getting overlooked.

A strong GBP:

• Answers “are you open?” in real time (hours, updates)

• Converts searchers with photos, events, and clear directions

• Builds trust via Reviews and Q&A

• Shows vendors, sponsors, and press a professional, active organization

Set up right the first time (5 steps)

Gather:

• Name: Derry Farmers Market

• Address: 13 Castle Rock Rd, Derry, ME

• Phone, email, website (market-owned)

• Primary category: Farmers’ market

• Hours (e.g., Sundays 10am–2pm, June–Oct)

• Logo, cover, 10–15 bright photos (people + produce + entrance)

• Attributes/programs: SNAP/EBT, WIC, Veterans vouchers, kid-friendly, wheelchair accessible, parking, cards accepted

Create/claim:

• google.com/business → create/claim
• Add name, address, phone, category, hours
• Verify (often video; postcard/phone/email/live video are alternatives)
• Add description, photos, attributes, social links
• Publish → check Search & Maps display

Seasonal ops:

• Use Special Hours for short closures (weather/holidays)

• Mark Temporarily closed off-season; reopen when the season starts

• Keep clear on-site signage to help verification and wayfinding

Make it discoverable (without keyword stuffing)

Write naturally with phrases shoppers use: farmers market, fresh local produce, organic vegetables, baked goods, dairy, Derry/Seacoast, family-friendly, SNAP/EBT match.
Keep the name clean: Derry Farmers Market (no “Best/#1” add-ons).

Write an effective Description (the “From the business” section)

Why it helps
This blurb converts browsers into visitors by spelling out who you are, when you’re open, what’s special, and how easy it is to visit.

Length & structure

• Max 750 characters; aim for 300–500

• Front-load the first ~250 characters with the essentials (that’s what shows before “More”)

• Conversational tone; no keyword stuffing, ALL CAPS, or hashtag dumps

Include (in this order)

1. What/where/when: market type, address, operating days/hours/season
2. Why visit: core offerings (produce, meats/dairy, baked goods, artisans, music)
3. Programs & access: SNAP/EBT match, WIC, Veterans vouchers, parking, ADA/kid-friendly, pet policy
4. Simple prompt: “Visit Sundays 10–2” or “See our site for vendor list”

Derry examples

• Short (~220–250 chars):
  “Derry Farmers Market brings local farms, bakers, and makers together at 13 Castle Rock Rd. Open Sundays 10am–2pm (June–Oct). Fresh produce, meats & dairy, artisan goods, free parking. SNAP/EBT accepted with market match.”

• Standard (~430–500 chars):
  “Derry Farmers Market at 13 Castle Rock Rd is your Sunday stop for fresh, local food. Open Sundays 10am–2pm (June–Oct), we feature peak-season produce, meats & dairy, baked goods, coffee, and artisan finds—plus family-friendly vibes. Free on-site parking and wheelchair-accessible. SNAP/EBT accepted with market match; WIC and Veterans vouchers welcome. Visit this Sunday and see what’s in season.”

Photos that drive foot traffic

• Cover: clear entrance or vibrant stall scene

• People + product: seasonal produce, smiling vendors, kid activities

• Cadence: add 2–3 new photos weekly in-season

• Avoid dark/blurry shots and text-heavy flyers

Image specs that work well

• Posts & Events: 1200 × 900 px (4:3) to avoid awkward crops

• Cover image: 1024 × 576 px (16:9)

• General photos: JPG/PNG, roughly 10 KB–5 MB, ≥720 px on shortest side

• Keep faces/products centered in the middle 70–80% of the frame

Posts & Events that perform (simple weekly rhythm)

Use Events, Offers, Updates, Products. Aim for 1–2 posts/week with a strong image and a Learn more button to your site.

Easy calendar

• Mon: Vendor spotlight / “What’s coming this week”

• Wed: Seasonal produce + SNAP reminder

• Fri: Weekend reminder (Event post for Sunday)

• Sun (AM): “Today at the market” photo

Time-saver: reuse from Facebook

• Copy/paste your Facebook event title, date/time, location, and short description into your GB Event or Update post

• Bring the best event image over, too

• Clean for Google: ditch hashtags, keep 1–2 short paragraphs + clear CTA to your website

• Double-check date/time and address pin before publishing

Why GB Events matter

• Posting events inside GBP helps your market appear in Google’s Events modules on Search and Maps (the events carousel/cards)—great for “things to do this weekend” searches.

Derry templates

• Weekly Update (Fri):
  “What’s fresh for Sunday? Heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, blueberries & small-batch sourdough—10–2 at 13 Castle Rock Rd. Free parking, kid-friendly, SNAP match available. Plan your visit → [website].”

• Event (each market day):
  “Derry Farmers Market • Sun [DATE] • 10–2 • 13 Castle Rock Rd. 30+ vendors, live music, and programs for families. Details → [website].”

• Offer (sponsor tie-in):
  “FREE reusable tote to the first 50 shoppers (one per family). See you Sunday 10–2!”

Reviews & Q&A (reputation engine)

• Ask ethically (Info Booth sign, in-person after positive interactions)

• Reply to every review within 24–48 hours

  • Positive: thank them + mention a highlight

  • Negative: acknowledge → empathize → apologize → fix → invite back

• Seed Q&A from your official account: parking, pets, restrooms, rain policy, SNAP/WIC, Veterans vouchers

Reply templates

• “Thanks so much, <Name>! Glad you enjoyed the fresh corn and live music. See you Sunday 10–2 at 13 Castle Rock Rd.”

• “We’re sorry for the inconvenience, <Name>. We’ve updated signage and staffing—please stop by the Info Booth next Sunday so we can make it right.”

Analytics that matter (check monthly)

Open Performance to review:

• Top searches (use these words in Posts and on your site)

• Directions & website clicks (are reminders working?)

• Photo views vs. similar businesses (refresh if low)

Stand-out moves for markets

• Lead with access info: free parking, ADA access, restrooms, kid-friendly

• Promote programs: SNAP/EBT match, WIC, Veterans vouchers

• Highlight seasonality: first strawberries, peak tomatoes, fall squash, holiday wreaths

• Enable relevant attributes (dog-friendly if true, locally sourced, organic available)

Avoid these pitfalls

• Wrong/incomplete hours or contact info

• Keyword-stuffed names or irrelevant categories

• Few/outdated photos; relying on flyers instead of real images

• Ignoring reviews or replying emotionally

• Inconsistent name/address/phone across your site and socials

• Not using Special Hours for weather/holiday changes

Maintenance cadence (so it stays great)

Launch (one-time)

• Claim/verify Derry Farmers Market at 13 Castle Rock Rd

• Set category, description, attributes, website + social links

• Add hours + Special Hours; upload 10–15 photos

Weekly (15 minutes)

• Update + Event post

• Add 2–3 fresh photos

• Reply to reviews & Q&A

Monthly

• Review Performance & top queries

• Refresh cover/featured photos if needed

• Tighten the description with seasonal highlights