# How Google Business Profile Helps Local Trades Get More Calls
If you only do one thing for your online presence, make it this: Set up your Google Business Profile properly.
It's more important than your website. More important than Facebook. More important than pretty much anything else you can do online.
## What Is Google Business Profile?
It used to be called "Google My Business". It's the box that shows up when you Google a business:
- Your business name
- Star rating and reviews
- Photos
- Opening hours
- Phone number
- Website link
- Location on Google Maps
More importantly, it's what shows up in the "local pack" when people search "electrician near me" or "plumber in [town]".
**Those three businesses that show up in the map results? That's Google Business Profile.**
And here's the key stat: **60-80% of trade enquiries come from that Google Business Profile listing, not your website.**
## Why It Matters So Much
When someone's boiler breaks or their roof starts leaking, they're not browsing 10 different websites. They're:
1. Googling "emergency plumber near me"
2. Looking at the three results in the map
3. Calling whichever one looks best
If your Google Business Profile isn't set up, you're not even in the race. You're invisible.
## How To Set It Up Properly
Most trades have a Google Business Profile but haven't set it up properly. Here's what actually matters:
### 1. Claim and Verify It
Go to google.com/business and claim your listing. Google will send you a postcard with a verification code. Yes, it's old-school, but you have to do it.
### 2. Pick The Right Categories
This is crucial. Your primary category should be exactly what you do:
- "Roofer" not "Home improvement"
- "Electrician" not "Contractor"
- "Plumber" not "Building services"
Be specific. Google uses this to decide when to show you.
### 3. Fill In Everything
Don't skip fields. Google rewards complete profiles:
- Business name (keep it clean - don't stuff keywords)
- Exact address
- Phone number
- Website
- Opening hours
- Service areas (list every town you cover)
- Business description (250 words max, be clear what you do)
### 4. Add Photos
Lots of them. Profiles with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to websites.
What photos to add:
- Your van with signage
- You/your team at work
- Before and after project photos
- Your logo
- Tools/equipment
Upload 10-20 to start, add more as you complete jobs.
### 5. Choose Your Service Areas
If you travel to customers (which most trades do), set up service areas:
- Add every town/city you cover
- Be specific (not just "Greater Manchester")
- Include postcodes if you can
Google uses this to decide whether to show you for "plumber in [specific town]" searches.
### 6. Get Reviews
This is the hard part but it matters most. Google shows businesses with more (and better) reviews higher in results.
How to get reviews:
- Ask happy customers
- Send them a direct link (makes it easier)
- Respond to every review (even bad ones)
- Don't buy fake reviews (Google catches this and penalizes you)
Aim for 10+ reviews minimum. 25+ is better. 50+ and you're dominating.
### 7. Post Regular Updates
Google Business Profile lets you post updates like Facebook. Most trades don't do this. Use it:
- Recent job photos
- Special offers
- Service reminders (e.g., "Boiler service season")
- Availability updates
Post once a week if you can. It signals to Google that you're active.
## Common Mistakes
**Wrong category** - You'll never rank if your category is wrong
**No service areas listed** - Google won't show you outside your exact postcode
**Inconsistent information** - If your address on your website doesn't match your Google Business Profile, Google gets confused
**Ignoring reviews** - Responding to reviews (especially negative ones) shows Google you're engaged
**No photos** - Looks unprofessional and Google ranks you lower
## What Results Look Like
A properly set up Google Business Profile typically:
- Gets you ranking in the local pack within 2-3 weeks
- Generates 5-15 calls per week for most trades
- Costs absolutely nothing (it's free)
- Works 24/7 without you doing anything
Compare that to:
- Paid ads: £5-15 per click, turns off when you stop paying
- Facebook: Hit and miss, requires constant posting
- Trade directories: £50-100/month, still get fewer enquiries
## Google Business Profile + Website = Unbeatable
Your Google Business Profile gets people to click. Your website converts them into customers.
Think of it like:
- Google Business Profile = Your shop window
- Website = Your actual shop
You need both. But if you had to choose one to focus on first, it's the Google Business Profile.
## How We Help
When you get a website built through ARCHIVE 6, Google Business Profile setup is included in every module. We:
- Set it up properly from day one
- Optimize all the categories and service areas
- Link it to your website correctly
- Show you how to get reviews
- Handle the technical stuff
Most web design companies don't bother with this. They build a website and hand it over. Then you're stuck wondering why you're not getting calls.
We set up both (website + Google Business Profile) because we know that's what actually gets your phone ringing.
## What To Do Next
1. Go to google.com/business right now
2. Claim/verify your listing if you haven't
3. Fill in every field completely
4. Add 10-20 photos
5. Ask your last 5 customers for reviews
6. Keep it updated
Or if you can't be bothered with all that (and most trades can't), we handle it as part of our website builds.
Want your Google Business Profile set up properly so you actually show up in searches? [Get in touch](/contact) or call 07398 395 417.