1. Core Business Information (Complete Every Field)
Google rewards profiles that are 100% complete. Every empty field is a missed ranking signal. Ensure your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, and service area are accurate and consistent with your website and directory citations.
- Business name: Match legal entity name (no keyword stuffing)
- Address: Use exact street address (hide if service-area business)
- Phone: Use a local area code, not a tracking number
- Hours: Keep updated for holidays and seasonal changes
- Service area: List specific cities/zips, not just a radius
- Website URL: Link directly to homepage or location page
2. Category Selection (The #1 Ranking Factor)
Your primary category carries the highest weighting in Map Pack ranking algorithms. Choose the most specific primary category that matches your main trade. Add up to 9 secondary categories to capture related service searches.
- Plumber → primary; add 'Drain Cleaning Service', 'Water Heater Supplier'
- HVAC Contractor → primary; add 'Air Conditioning Repair Service', 'Furnace Repair Service'
- Electrician → primary; add 'Electrical Installation Service'
- Roofing Contractor → primary; add 'Gutter Cleaning Service'
3. Services & Products Section
List every service you offer with descriptions and pricing where possible. Each service listed creates an additional searchable keyword surface. Use natural service names that match how customers search (e.g., 'Water Heater Installation' not 'Residential Thermal Appliance Integration').
4. Photos & Weekly Posts
Upload real jobsite photos weekly—trucks, crews, before/after work, branded uniforms. Google's vision AI analyzes photo activity as a freshness signal. Profiles with 50+ recent photos consistently outrank competitors.
Post weekly GBP updates featuring completed jobs, seasonal promotions, and service announcements. Each post stays live for 7 days and signals an active business.
5. Review Generation System
Review velocity (how frequently you receive new reviews) is a critical ranking signal. Implement automated SMS review requests sent within 1 hour of job completion. Respond to every review—positive and negative—within 24-48 hours with service keywords naturally included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary & Next Steps
A fully optimized Google Business Profile is the foundation of local lead generation. LumeClick's GBP management service handles every item on this checklist continuously to keep you ranking at the top.