Setting up a Google Business Profile for your trade
When someone searches for a trade near them, Google often shows business profiles before any website. A complete, accurate profile gives you a better chance of being the one they call. Here's how to set one up properly as a tradesperson.
Updated
Before you start
Have these ready. It's quicker, and it means everything matches from the first day.
- The name you trade under, exactly as it's on your van and invoices. Google asks for your real business name, so don't add keywords or towns to it.
- A phone number you answer.
- Your website address, if you have one.
- The towns and areas you cover.
- Your opening hours, including whether you take emergency call-outs.
- A list of the jobs you do.
- A handful of photos of real work, your van and you.
Work at customers' homes? Set up as a service-area business
Most trades go to the customer rather than the other way round. Google calls this a service-area business. If you don't serve customers at your business address, Google says to remove the address from your profile and show the areas you serve instead, so your home address stays off the map.
If customers do visit you, at a showroom, a yard or a workshop, you can keep the address and add service areas too. Google calls that a hybrid business.
Setting it up, step by step
Create or claim your profile
Sign in with a Google Account and search for your business. If a profile already exists, claim it rather than making a second one.
Choose your primary category
The one that best describes your main trade, such as Plumber or Electrician. Add a few more categories for other work you genuinely do.
Add your contact details
Phone number and website, exactly as they appear everywhere else.
Set your service areas and hours
The towns or areas you cover, and when you're available.
List your services
The jobs you do, each with a short, plain description.
Verify
Google chooses which verification methods it offers you. Often it's a short video showing where you work, your tools or branded van, and something that shows you run the business.
Add photos
Real jobs, before and after, your van and your team. Add more as you go.
Keep your details the same everywhere
Your business name, phone number and area should match on your profile, your website, any directories you're listed in, your van and your invoices. If you change your number, change it everywhere at once, starting with your profile and your website.
After it's live
- Send your review link to every customer when a job is done.
- Reply to reviews, good and bad.
- Add photos of finished jobs every few weeks.
- Post updates: seasonal work, a new service, holiday closures.
- Answer questions customers ask on your profile.
- Check your hours before every bank holiday.
How we can help
Core includes your Google profile set up for you: categories, hours, service area and photos. On Starter, the profile audit is an add-on at £49: we check your profile and make the fixes. Every package shows your Google rating and a selection of your Google reviews on your own website.
If Google asks for a video or a code to verify the profile, that step is yours, because it checks that you are the person running the business.
Questions
Do I need a website to have a Google Business Profile?
No, but a profile can link to one, and customers who want more detail, such as photos, the jobs you do and how to get in touch, often click through to it.
Should I show my home address on my profile?
Not if customers don't come to you. Google says to remove your address if you don't serve customers there, and to set the areas you serve instead.
How long does verification take?
It varies. Google decides which methods to offer and reviews what you send; some are quick and some take longer. You can check where it's up to in your profile.
Can I choose more than one category?
Yes: one primary category for your main trade, and additional categories for other work you genuinely do.
Can I have a separate profile for each town I cover?
No. A profile is for a business at a location; add the towns you cover as service areas instead. Extra profiles for places where you have no premises go against Google's guidelines.
See your price
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