Google Business Profile: the 20-minute setup

The map results are where local calls come from. Here's how to claim your listing and fill it out so it actually works.

When someone searches "electrician near me," the first thing they see is a map with three businesses. That's the Google Business Profile. It's free, and most contractors have either never claimed it or set it up in 2016 and forgot.

Here's the 20-minute version.

Claim it

Go to business.google.com and search for your business. If it's there, claim it. If it's not, create it. Google will mail a postcard with a code or call you to verify.

Fill in every field

Google rewards complete profiles. Hours, phone, website, service area, and every category that applies. Your primary category should be the thing you do most. Secondary categories for the rest.

Add services

There's a Services section. Add every one. Use the words a customer would search, not what you call it in the shop.

Photos

Ten at least. The truck, the crew, finished work, your storefront if you have one. Phone photos are fine. Stock photos hurt you.

Reviews

Ask every happy customer. Text them the link. Reply to every review, including the bad ones, briefly and politely.

Connect it to your website

The profile should link to your site, and your site should have the same name, address, and phone number as the profile, exactly. Mismatches confuse Google.

Do this once, keep the photos and reviews coming, and the map is where your next customer finds you.