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Research shows that up to 97% of customers first discover local businesses online. If local quilters search “fabric store near me” on their phones — will they find you?
If you don’t have a complete Google Business Profile for your fabric store, you’re losing customers before they ever walk through your door. What are your hours? Do you carry quilting cotton? Do you cut fractional yardage? Can customers take a class? If they can’t easily get answers to these questions, chances are, they aren’t going to risk visiting your store to learn for themselves.
But how can you set up your Google Business Profile so customers can find you and feel confident deciding to come into your store?
In the next 15 minutes, we’ll show you how to set up a complete Google Business Profile that helps customers discover your store, see what you offer, and choose you over the competition.
Let’s dive in.
Why Fabric Stores Need a Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is crucial for maintaining foot traffic. It’s working for you 24/7, answering customer questions and influencing decisions before you even know someone’s considering your fabric store.
With a complete profile, you can:
- Capture mobile searchers: Three out of four potential customers search on their phones while actively deciding where to shop. Your profile is often the first thing they see before choosing you or a competitor.
- Answer specific questions: Someone searches “fabric store fractional yardage” because they need exactly ⅝ yard for binding. If your reviews mention fractional cuts and your competitor’s don’t, you just won that customer.
- Turn browsers into customers: A homeschool mom discovers your block-of-the-month program through your Google listing and signs up before ever setting foot in your store. Having the right info on your Google listing can bring in a customer on the spot.
Set Up Your Fabric Store’s Google Business Profile in 9 Easy Steps
Now, let’s walk through exactly how to set up your profile so it’s working hard for your fabric store.
Step 1: Claim or Create Your Profile
First, you need to either claim or create your profile. Sometimes, Google automatically creates listings, or customers add a listing for a business, so you may already have one you need to claim — or you might need to make one from scratch.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to business.google.com/create.
- Search for your business name. If it already exists, click “Request access” or “Claim this business.”
- Click “Add your business to Google” (if nothing shows up).
- Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your storefront.
- Select “Fabric Store” as your primary category.
- Add secondary categories like “Quilt Shop” or “Sewing Shop” if they apply.
Don’t stuff keywords into your business name. “Susan’s Fabrics” is correct. “Susan’s Fabrics – Best Quilting Supplies Downtown” can get your profile flagged or suspended. Keep it clean and accurate.
Related Read: Effective Marketing Strategies for Quilt Stores: 7 Ideas
Step 2: Add Your Location & Service Area
Next, you need to add your physical address so customers can find your storefront. Some customers may order from you online if you offer e-commerce options on your website, but many fabric shoppers want to see and touch fabric before buying.
If you deliver fabric orders locally, add your service area, too. But for most fabric stores, your street address is the priority.
Step 3: Fill In Your Essential Business Info
After adding your location, fill in the details customers want to know before deciding to make the drive to your store.
Include:
- Phone number
- Website URL
- Hours of operation
- Attributes like “Women-owned,” “Wheelchair accessible,” or “In-store shopping”
Be sure to update holiday hours, and add any classes or appointment-only shopping options your store offers. You may need to include this information in the description section of the profile, rather than directly in the “Hours of Operation” section.
Step 4: Write Your Business Description
Now, it’s time to hone in on your business description. The key here is to skip the flowery language and be specific about what you carry and who you serve in your store. Avoid generic phrases like “fuel your passion for sewing” or other lines that are more fluff than substance.
Some information to include:
- Types of fabric
- Special services like fractional cuts, classes, or club meetings
- Your specialty, if you have one
Here’s a simple template that works:
“[Store Name] is a [neighborhood] fabric store specializing in [your niche]. We carry [types of fabric], cut by the [⅛ yard, ¼ yard], and offer [classes/workshops]. We support customers with quilting, sewing garments, and creating home decor, and we stock quality fabrics from [mention two to three key vendors].”
Related Read: How To Write a Product Description for Your Online Fabric Store
Step 5: Upload Photos
Photos are where many businesses struggle when it comes to their Google Business Profiles. A profile with no photos — or, potentially worse, blurry or poorly composed ones — looks less legitimate than a business with clear, helpful images.
Here’s what to upload:
- Storefront exterior
- Wide shots of fabric displays
- Close-ups of current collections
- Cutting table with measurements
- Class or workshop space
- Candid shots of staff helping customers
Take photos during the day, when natural light shows true colors, and update your pictures regularly to include new collections.
Step 6: Post About New Arrivals, Sales, & Classes
Another option to explore is Google Posts. These are temporary posts that let you announce real-time news about your store. You can use them to share new fabric collections, promote upcoming classes, and announce seasonal sales.
Google Posts expire after seven days, so be sure to post strategically. Real, valuable updates get clicks — generic ones get ignored. Plan accordingly.
Step 7: Enable Messaging (If You Can Respond Quickly)
Messaging is another great feature that can boost customer traffic — but only if you have the bandwidth to respond promptly.
If someone on your team can reply within a few hours, turn messaging on for your Google Business Profile. Keep an eye on customer question patterns. If you frequently receive questions about your sewing classes or are asked whether you carry a specific product, consider adding that information to your business description.
The catch is that customers expect quick replies, so if you can’t respond consistently, it’s better to disable messaging altogether.
Step 8: Include Your Products (Optional but Valuable)
If you have an online store, it’s important to add products to your Google Business Profile. Link your profile to your online catalog, include pricing (even if it’s just a range for variable-price items), and showcase any bestsellers, precuts, or kits.
This step isn’t essential for every fabric store, but if you’re already selling online, it’s a quick way to drive real revenue and convert customers on the spot.
Step 9: Respond to Reviews
Once your profile is live, encourage your loyal customers to start leaving reviews. Modern shoppers check reviews before choosing businesses or making purchases, and positive feedback is one of the easiest ways to build trust with potential customers.
When reviews start appearing on your profile, take the time to reply to each one.
Here are a few rules of thumb for responding:
- Thank positive reviewers with thoughtful, personalized comments.
- Address negative reviews with solutions — not excuses or defensiveness.
- Try to reply within 48 hours.
Even a short, genuine response shows you’re paying attention. Potential customers read your replies alongside the reviews, and how you handle feedback can help convince them to give your store a try.
Related Read: How To Get More Reviews for Your Quilt Shop
Keep Your Profile Current With the Right Tools
Following these nine steps, you can set up a winning Google Business Profile in 15 minutes or less. But this isn’t a “one-and-done” process — your profile is only valuable if it stays current.
Plan to update your hours monthly (especially before holidays and class nights), add photos of new fabric arrivals each season, respond to reviews at least weekly, and post about upcoming classes or events every couple of weeks. These small maintenance tasks keep your profile active and your store visible.
If managing your Google Business Profile feels overwhelming on top of everything else you’re already juggling, many fabric store owners feel the same way. Handling inventory, sales, and vendor relationships manually across multiple platforms makes it easy for things to fall through the cracks.
Instead, you need the right tools.
Like Sew helps fabric store owners manage everything from inventory and class sign-ups to vendor catalogs and payments — all in one simple platform. When you automate and consolidate your business processes, you have more time to keep your Google Business Profile updated and, more importantly, focus on growing your business.
Ready to simplify your fabric store operations? Use our Build and Price tool to create your ideal Like Sew solution today.
by Spencer Wright
