There are 20+ free features to choose from when creating and updating your Yelp Page. The typical listing has basic business information, photos, and reviews—and most business owners stop there. But a little extra work can make your page really pop. Check out these five hidden gems that you can add for free after you claim your page.
Bonus: We also have category-specific versions of this post for restaurants, home services, and beauty-related businesses.
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1. Specialties
Consumers searching on Yelp want to know everything your business offers and what you do best. While the Categories and Services Offered sections allow you to select the specific business functions you offer, the Specialities section is where you can tell your business’s story in your own words.
Describe what you do best in this free-form text box—using up to 1,500 characters. Your Specialties section can provide a deeper dive into your offerings and services, show why your business is the best option, or simply make someone smile. Think about the times that a customer called you and asked if you offer a specific type or style of service—those are the types of details to include here. Whatever approach you take, make sure to list out the products and services you want to highlight.
The key phrases and terms you enter in this section will also help you get more organic visibility on Yelp. Each customer comes to Yelp with a need—completing this section can help take them from the discovery phase to a purchase.
How do I do this? Log in to your Yelp for Business account, click on the Business Information tab, then scroll down to Specialities.
2. Check-in offer
A check-in offer rewards customers with a special promotion when they “check in” to your business on Yelp. Displayed on both desktop and mobile, check-in offers are an opportunity to stand out from competitors. You set the terms, so you’re never offering more than you’re comfortable with—whether it’s a discounted price, percentage off, or a free item.
And check-in offers aren’t just for brick-and-mortar businesses: If you own a service business, such as a moving company or pest control company, people using your service can “check-in” upon your arrival.
Check-in offers are free to create, interchangeable, trackable, and flexible, but how exactly do check-in offers convert Yelp users into customers? They help amplify your Yelp Page by spreading the word about your business. When a user activates your offer, Yelp automatically notifies their Yelp network about where they are and what service they are using. Additionally, Yelp prompts the user to promote their activation on other social media sites, driving even more brand awareness for your business.
How do I do this? Log in to your Yelp for Business account, and click on the Check-in Offers tab.
3. Photo captions
When users land on a Yelp Page, their eyes are often drawn to photos first. Uploading quality photos helps build trust and allows people to get to know you and your business—but without photo captions, even the most compelling images can fall flat.
Looking at photos without captions is like watching a foreign film without subtitles.
Have you ever looked at a photo of a beautifully plated meal, but had no idea what’s in it or which menu item it is? Looking at photos without captions is like watching a foreign film without subtitles. Adding photo captions can make your products or services more memorable and approachable—plus, that bit of extra information on each image helps them better understand your business offerings, mission, and values.
As an added bonus, photo captions also contribute to your overall Yelp SEO. The keywords you use in your photo captions help you get more visibility in Yelp search results, similar to the Specialties section.
When uploading a photo in your Yelp for Business account, fill out the caption box with clear and concise phrases. Deciding on the right photos can be tough, but keep in mind there’s no maximum to how many you can upload, so use this opportunity to show off all you have to offer.
How do I do this? Log in to your Yelp for Business account, and click on the Photos and Videos tab.
4. Holiday and special hours
You wouldn’t want a customer to show up at your brick-and-mortar only to realize you’re closed; likewise you want your customers to know when you’ve expanded your schedule to accommodate for special times of the year. To communicate those details, update the hours listed on your Yelp Page for special occasions and holidays. Whether it’s for a one-off closure or a special holiday, always display adjusted hours on your page so customers can easily find when you’re available.
Listing regular and special or holiday hours on your Yelp Page creates both transparency and a better experience for your customers. You can set up special hours on a day-by-day basis and change them at any time. Additionally, consumers will see a note indicating you have special hours at the top of your Yelp Business Page, as well as in the hours section.
How do I do this? Log in to your Yelp for Business account, click on the Business Information tab, then scroll down to Upcoming special hours.
5. Amenities
Your amenities—also called attributes—provide more details about your business operations and availability. Certain amenities are searchable by Yelp users and help them narrow down their options when looking for a business with certain features, such as “Accepts Credit Cards” or “Vegetarian Options.”
Selecting amenities that make sense for your business can help users make a quick decision. Maybe your next customer is walking the dog and craving a cup of coffee, but they forgot their wallet. In this case, the “Accepts Apple Pay” attribute will be the driver in their decision-making process. Similarly, if that dog owner is looking to dine in at a pet-friendly restaurant, the “Dogs Allowed” attribute comes in handy.
Bonus: If you accept Apple Pay at your business, you can request a free signage kit. You can also download the Apple Pay mark to use within email, on your terminal screen, and on your website.
Yelp users also love supporting businesses that align with their values and communities. If you self-identify as Black-owned, women-owned, Latinx-owned, LGBTQ-owned, Asian-owned, or veteran-owned, you can add those amenities to your Yelp Page. If your business is open to all customers, regardless of race, age, gender, and beyond, you can also select the “Open to All” attribute, a campaign that represents the awareness and understanding of the importance of nondiscrimination laws.
How do I do this? Log in to your Yelp for Business account, click on the Business Information tab, then scroll down to Amenities.
After completing your Yelp Page with basic information and these hidden gems, you’re ready to level up and explore some of the paid upgrades Yelp has to offer, like Slideshow, Business Highlights, Yelp Connect, and more.
The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.