The construction industry is highly competitive, with potential clients searching online for the right contractor for the project they need to be done. One way to boost your visibility online and generate leads is with a Google Business Profile. Whether you're a general contractor, electrician, roofer, carpenter, or landscaper, optimizing your Google Business Profile can help you attract more local customers and establish trust with potential clients searching for services like yours.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is a free listing that lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. The profile includes your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, customer reviews, photos, and more. Businesses with well optimized profiles are more likely to appear in the local map pack when someone searches for a contractor near his or her location. The local map pack includes the top three results featured prominently in Google.
The profile serves as a first impression of your business and can significantly influence a potential client’s decision to contact you or keep scrolling down the page.
Setting Up Your Google Business Profile
You can set up your profile in just a few steps:
- Go to google.com/business and sign in with your Google account.
- Enter your business name and select the appropriate category (e.g., general contractor, electrician, roofer).
- Add your location or choose the service-area option if you travel to clients.
- Provide contact details, such as phone number and website.
- Verify your business—Google usually sends a postcard with a verification code to your address.
- Once verified, add more details such as services, business hours, high-quality photos, and a compelling business description.
A more complete and accurate profile will increase your chances of appearing in local search results.
Using Your Google Business Profile to Get Leads
Make your profile work for your construction business:
- Ask Clients for Reviews: Encourage satisfied clients to leave a Google review after a job is completed. Reviews build trust and improve your ranking in local searches. The more 5-star reviews you get, the more likely potential clients will contact you.
- Add Photos of Your Projects: Showcase the quality of your work with photos, including before-and-after shots, your crew at work, and even your branded vehicles. When people see your work, it helps confirm your craftsmanship and convert viewers into leads.
- Ensure Your Info Is Updated: Your phone number, website, business hours, and service areas should always be accurate. Outdated info can cause potential customers to lose trust or choose a competitor instead.
- Promote Offers or Updates: Your Google Business Profile allows you to create mini-ads or announcements. Use these posts to share limited-time offers, highlight new services, or provide helpful home improvement tips. These posts can make your profile more dynamic and keep customers engaged.
- Get Detailed About Your Services: Be clear about what you do—from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to roof repairs or custom landscaping. Use relevant keywords in your descriptions to improve your visibility in local searches.
- Respond to Potential Clients’ Questions: Google allows users to ask questions directly on your profile. Stay on top of these questions and answer them quickly. Thoughtful, informative responses demonstrate professionalism and build trust with future clients browsing your profile.
- Track Performance and Insights: Google provides helpful data on how users interact with your profile. This includes how users found you, their actions (calls, clicks, directions), and where they’re located. These insights can help you understand which services attract the most attention and refine your marketing efforts.