When someone searches "plumber near me" or "electrician Toronto," Google shows a map with three businesses. Those three listings get most of the clicks. And they’re pulled from Google Business Profiles.
If you’re a contractor, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most important things you have online. The problem? Most contractors have a GBP that’s half-empty. And a half-empty profile means fewer calls.
Here’s how to fix it.
In this post
Claim and Verify Your Profile
Go to business.google.com and search for your business. If it exists, claim it. If it doesn’t, create one. Google will verify you’re the owner.
Until you verify, you can’t edit your listing.
Get Your Basic Information Right
Your correct business name. Don’t stuff keywords into your business name — Google penalises that.
Your phone number. The one you actually answer. Make sure it matches the number on your website.
Your service area. A plumber in Calgary who also serves Airdrie and Cochrane should list all three.
Your hours. Keep them current. Update for holidays.
Your website link. This should point to your actual website.
Your business category. Pick the most specific category available.
Add Photos — Lots of Them
Google Business Profiles with photos get significantly more clicks than those without. Upload photos of your completed work, your truck, your team, before-and-after shots.
For trades like landscaping and electrical, before-and-after photos are especially powerful.
Get Google Reviews (and Respond to Them)
Reviews are the single most impactful thing on your GBP.
Create a direct review link. Find the "Ask for reviews" section in your GBP dashboard and copy the link.
Text it to customers after every job. "Thanks for choosing us. If you have a minute, a review would really help our business."
Respond to every review. Good reviews: thank the customer by name. Bad reviews: respond professionally.
Contractors in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, and Winnipeg who consistently ask for reviews see a noticeable difference in their call volume.
Write a Complete Business Description
Your GBP has a business description field — up to 750 characters. Most contractors leave it blank. Use it. Describe what you do, where you work, and what makes you different.
Use Google Posts
Google Posts are short updates that appear on your GBP listing. Post about seasonal services, completed projects, or promotions. Once a week or every two weeks keeps your profile looking active.
Keep Your Information Consistent Everywhere
Google cross-references your business information across the internet. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website URL are identical everywhere: your website, your GBP, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and any other directory.
Your GBP and Your Website Work Together
Your GBP gets you into the map results. Your website gets you into the regular search results. Together, they give you the best chance of being found. Neither one works as well alone as they do together.
The Bottom Line
Your Google Business Profile is free and one of the most powerful marketing tools available to contractors. Most of the fixes above take less than an hour total.
$97/month. No contracts. Google Business Profile optimization included.
See pricing | Have questions? Let’s talk.