For local search traffic, this is often more important than your website.
A Google Business Profile is the free listing that allows your business to appear in Google Maps and local search results, with address, opening hours, photos and reviews. For searches with a local intent, this profile often weighs more heavily than your website itself.
IN COMMON LANGUAGE
Why it counts
When searching for 'plumber near me', Google first shows a map with three companies. Anyone who is not listed there is practically invisible to that searcher, no matter how good their website is.
What determines your position there is mainly proximity, relevance and fame: and reviews. The latter is the only part that you have direct influence on without moving.
WHY IT MATTERS
What you fill in and keep track of
Completeness counts. Category, opening hours, services, photos and a link to the correct page on your site.
Consistency is just as important: your name, address, and phone number should be identical everywhere: on your site, profile, and other listings.
- Correct main category — determines what you participate in in the first place.
- Identical data everywhere — name, address and telephone number.
- Real photos — from your work, not from a stock bank.
- Request reviews after delivery — consistently, without reward.
- Respond to reviews — also and especially on the critical side.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
More about a Google Business Profile
Can I do this without a physical address?
If you work on location with customers, you can set a service area without showing your address. Making up an address or providing a PO Box is grounds for removal, so don't do that.
How do I get reviews?
By asking for it consistently after every completed assignment, with a direct link. Not rewarding and not selectively approaching only satisfied customers: that is against the rules and it is noticeable.
What do I do with a negative review?
Respond calmly and factually, and offer to solve it. Future readers pay more attention to how you respond than to the complaint itself.
CONTINUE READING
Of course, continue reading about this subject.
Better locally found?
We look at your profile and your website and tell you where the local profits are.