Google Business Profile: a practical tune-up guide
For many local businesses, Google Business Profile (GBP) gets more eyeballs than the website. That is not a failure—it is reality. Treat the profile like a product page.
Start with accuracy
Wrong hours or an old phone number cost real money.
Verify:
- Business name (legal name, no keyword stuffing)
- Address and service area
- Phone routes to someone who answers
- Website link goes to the right landing page
- Hours including holidays
Match the same details on your website footer.
Categories and services
Pick the primary category that best describes what you do. Add secondary categories only if they are true.
Use the Services section for specific offers:
- "Water heater install"
- "Free roof inspection"
- "Same-day emergency call"
Specific beats generic.
Photos that help people choose you
Add:
- Storefront or vehicle branding
- Team at work (with permission)
- Before/after or finished jobs
- Equipment or process shots
Update quarterly. Stale photos signal a stale business.
Posts and updates
Short GBP posts about:
- Seasonal offers
- New services
- Hiring
- Community involvement
One post every week or two is enough if it is real.
Reviews: earn them, respond to all
Ask at the moment of success—job complete, problem solved.
When replying:
- Thank the reviewer
- Address specifics (not copy-paste fluff)
- For negatives: stay calm, offer offline resolution
Future customers read your replies as much as the stars.
Messages and booking
Turn on messaging only if someone monitors it. Enable booking links if you use a scheduler—and test that it works.
Track actions, not vanity views
In GBP insights, watch:
- Calls
- Direction requests
- Website clicks
- Top search terms
If views are high but calls are low, fix the profile or the landing page.
We build websites that match your GBP and capture the traffic it sends. Learn more or contact us.