What Google Business Profile is
Google Business Profile (it used to be called Google My Business) is your free listing on Google Search and Maps. It shows your name, phone number, hours, reviews, photos and a link to your website. For local trades, it's one of the most valuable things you can set up, and it works best alongside a website.
Set it up as a service-area business
Most trades go to the customer, so set the profile up as a service-area business:
- Go to google.com/business and sign in with the Google account you'll use for the business.
- Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your van, invoices and website. Don't stuff keywords into the name; Google can suspend listings for that.
- Choose the most accurate primary category, such as Plumber, HVAC contractor, Roofing contractor or Electrician. You can add a few secondary categories for other services.
- When asked if customers visit your location, say no if you work from home, then add the towns or areas you serve.
- Add your phone number and your website, then verify the business. Google will tell you which verification method applies to you.
Fill in everything
A complete profile gives Google more reasons to show you, and gives customers more reasons to call.
- Services: add each service you offer, with a short description.
- Hours: keep them accurate, including emergency or 24/7 availability if you offer it.
- Photos: real jobs, before and after shots, your team and your vehicles. Add new ones regularly.
- Description: say what you do, where, and what makes you different, in plain language.
- Website link: point it to your home page, or to a service-area page if that fits better.
Reviews: the part that moves the needle
Reviews affect both where you rank and whether people call. Ask every happy customer, ideally the same day, and make it easy by texting them your review link (you'll find it in your profile). Reply to every review, good or bad, briefly and politely. A calm reply to a bad review often reassures future customers more than the review itself worries them.
Never buy reviews or offer discounts in exchange for them. It breaks Google's rules and can get the listing removed.
How your website and profile work together
Google checks that your listing and your website agree. Use the same business name, phone number and service areas on both. Give each main service its own page on your site, and mention the areas you cover. When your listing links to a fast, clear website, more of the people who find you on Maps end up calling.