When someone near you searches "fence company near me" or "AC repair," Google shows a map with a few businesses on it. That box is your Google Business Profile.
For local contractors, that box is gold. People see your stars, your photos, and a big call button. They tap it. Your phone rings.
Most contractors set up their profile once, years ago, and never touched it again. That's leaving jobs on the table.
Here are 5 things most profiles are missing.
1. The right categories
Your primary category is the single biggest thing that decides what searches you show up for. A lot of contractors pick something too broad, like "Contractor," or the wrong one.
Pick the most specific category that matches the work you want most. If you're a roofer, it's "Roofing contractor," not "General contractor."
Then add secondary categories for the other work you do. Gutter cleaning, siding, window installation. Each one is another set of searches you can show up for.
Fix it: Open your profile, go to Edit profile, then Business category. Make the main one your best money maker.
2. A real list of services
Google lets you list every service you offer, with a short description for each. Most profiles have nothing here, or just whatever Google filled in on its own.
This matters because it tells Google, and customers, exactly what you do. "Roof repair," "Roof replacement," "Storm damage inspection," and "Gutter guards" are four different searches.
Fix it: Go to Edit services. Add every job you want more of. Write one or two plain sentences for each one.
3. Recent photos of your work
Profiles with real, recent photos get more clicks and more calls. People want proof you do good work, and that you're a real company.
Stock photos don't count. Neither does one blurry logo from 2019.
What to post:
- Before and after shots of real jobs.
- Your truck or trailer with your name on it.
- Your crew on the job.
- Close ups of finished work.
Fix it: Take 5 photos on your next job. Upload them that night. Then keep adding a few every week.
4. Your service area
If you work at people's homes, you probably don't want your home address showing. That's fine. Google lets you hide your address and set a service area instead.
But a lot of contractors either leave their home address showing, or they set a service area that's way too small or way too big.
Fix it: List the actual towns, cities, or counties you work in. Be honest about how far you'll drive. Too wide and Google may not trust it. Too small and you miss jobs.
5. Fresh activity: posts, reviews, and replies
Google pays attention to profiles that stay active. A profile with new posts, new photos, and new reviews looks like a busy, real business. One that hasn't changed in two years looks closed.
Three habits make a big difference:
- Post once a week. A recent job, a seasonal tip, a special. A photo and two sentences is plenty.
- Ask every customer for a review. Right after the job, while they're happy. Text them the link.
- Reply to every review. Good or bad. Short and real. "Thanks Mike, that was a fun one. Call us if you need anything." Future customers read your replies.
Fix it: Pick a day each week, like Friday afternoon, and spend 10 minutes on your profile. Post, upload photos, reply to reviews.
Bonus: make sure the basics are right
Double check the stuff that's easy to get wrong:
- Your business name matches your real business name. No keyword stuffing. Google can suspend profiles for that.
- Your phone number goes to a phone someone actually answers.
- Your hours are correct, including holidays.
- Your website link goes to a real website, not a dead page.
The short version
Your Google profile is free, and it's where a lot of local jobs start. Pick the right category, list your services, post real photos, set your service area, and keep it active every week.
That's most of what got our family's exterior restoration company in Florida off subcontracting and booked out months ahead. No ads.
Don't have time for this?
That's normal. You work all day. We set up and optimize your Google profile as part of every plan, and our Keep It Full plan handles the weekly posts and review replies for you. See the plans or book a 15 minute call.