Your Google Business Profile is your online storefront; it is often the first point of contact for prospective customers.
It is free, but to bring you customers it needs to be properly filled out.
Here are 7 essential details to check:
1. Exact business name 🔖
The name must be identical everywhere: website, signage, business cards…
Do not add keywords or city; this goes against Google's guidelines, even though some businesses do it at the risk of being suspended.
2. The right business category 🏷️
Choose the most precise category possible. Are you a "Plumber"? Do not put "Handyman".
Add sub‑categories only if they genuinely complement your activity: a "Landscaper" can add "Tree‑trimmer" if they offer that service.
3. The exact address… or your service area 📍
- If you have a physical location where customers come, enter the full address.
- If you travel to customers (like a plumber or trainer), instead define your service areas: cities, postcodes or even counties.
- Both are possible: an address and service areas, if you serve customers both on‑site and on the road.
4. Phone number and website ☎️
An interested customer wants to call you. Provide a direct line that is actually answered.
Add your website link to the most relevant page (home page or local landing page).
5. Up‑to‑date opening hours ⏰
A customer faced with a closed door is a lost customer.
Keep your hours up to date, including public holidays and vacation periods. It's one of the easiest ways to get more customer reviews.
6. Photos that make people want to visit 📸
A picture is worth a thousand words! Profiles rich in visuals get significantly more clicks and calls.
Post recent, high‑quality photos: premises, team, recent jobs.
Add them regularly.
7. Your services or products 📦
Do not let customers guess what you offer. Clearly list your main services or flagship products.
Example for a painter:
- Interior painting
- Woodwork painting (doors, baseboards)
- Shutter and gate painting
A customer searching "paint wooden shutters" will find your profile more easily.
A Google profile that is complete and up to date = more visibility, more trust, more customers.
➡️ To go further and receive personalized recommendations, get your Google Business Profile audited for free
