A homeowner needs a plumber. Someone's looking for a roofer. A neighbor wants a landscaper.
They search Google, compare a few businesses, and decide who to call.
What will they see when they find yours?
An updated profile with good photos and helpful reviews? Or missing information that leaves them guessing?
Your Google Business Profile deserves some attention. Here's where to start.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
It's your business listing on Google Search and Maps—the one that can show your phone number, website, hours, photos, and customer reviews.
You may remember it as Google My Business.
Think of it as another front door to your business. Make it easy for people to understand what you do and take the next step.
1.Own Your Listing
Search Google for your business name and town.
If your listing already exists, claim it. If it doesn't, you can create one at Google Business Profile.
Google will ask you to verify your business. Follow the instructions it gives you; the available methods vary and may include video, phone, email, or mail.
Use an account you control. This is your business, and you should have access to its listing.
2.Get the Basics Right
Start with the information a customer actually needs:
Your business name. The right business category. Your phone number and website. Your regular and holiday hours. A clear explanation of what you do.
Keep it simple. A homeowner should understand your business without decoding a paragraph of marketing language. Complete, accurate information also helps Google understand your business.
Work from home and travel to customers? If customers don't come to your address, hide it from the public listing and add the areas you actually serve—such as Hamburg, Orchard Park, or other Western NY communities.
3.Show People Your Work
You probably already have useful photos on your phone.
A finished roof. A cleaned-up yard. A bathroom renovation. Your crew on the job. Use them.
Real photos help people see what you offer. My advice: choose clear pictures that show the kind of work you want more of. Add a little context when you share them, so someone understands what they're looking at.
4.Pay Attention to Reviews
Reviews give potential customers something to go on before they call.
Respond to them. Thank people who leave positive feedback. If someone raises a concern, keep your response calm, professional, and helpful.
You're also showing the next customer how you treat people. Google says positive reviews and helpful responses can help your business stand out.
5.Give It a Regular Checkup
Put a reminder on your calendar to review your profile.
Is the phone number correct? Do the hours still make sense? Does the website link work? Are the photos showing your current work?
Then check the Performance section. Google can show things like website clicks, search terms, and clicks on your call button.
Those call-button clicks aren't proof of completed calls or booked jobs. Compare them with the inquiries you're actually receiving.
6.Treat Your Google Profile Like Another Social Channel
Posting a finished job on Facebook or Instagram? Share an update on your Google profile, too.
It's a chance to show your work to people who are already searching for the services you offer.
Keep it simple:
Finished jobs: Show the results and explain what you did. Before-and-after photos: Let people see the difference. Short videos: Walk through a project or share a helpful tip. Business updates: Introduce a team member, highlight a service, or share seasonal availability.
You don't need a big production. A clear photo, a quick video, and a few sentences can give someone a better feel for your business.
For example: “Just wrapped up this patio in Hamburg. The homeowners wanted more space for summer get-togethers, and we helped bring it to life. Planning a project of your own? Give us a call.”
My advice: aim for one useful update a week to start. You're already doing the work—make showing it part of your routine.
Make Your Website and Google Profile Work Together
Your Google profile gives people a quick look at your business.
Your website gives them room to learn more: what you do, where you work, examples of completed jobs, and how to request an estimate.
My recommendation? Give both some attention. Make the path from “I found you” to “I'd like an estimate” easy to follow.
Put Your Content to Work in More Places
Already sharing photos and videos on Facebook or Instagram? Include your Google Business Profile—and YouTube when you have useful videos to share.
A finished project can become a photo update, a quick video walkthrough, or a helpful answer to a common customer question. You don't have to start from scratch for every channel.
At Gung Ho Local, we usually include YouTube as part of that approach. It gives us another place to show your work and explain your services.
Keeping your Google profile current helps potential customers see what you do and decide whether to contact you. Combine that with accurate business information, good reviews, and a helpful website, and you're building a stronger local presence.
More places to get found. More reasons to get picked.