For those who work in service-related industries, such as HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians, and auto mechanics, ensuring that your business information can be located quickly and easily online is critical to your success.
Not only does your business need to be easy to find online through a localized search, but the information that a potential customer finds should be accurate and up-to-date. One way to ensure the best possible visibility for your service business is to start by claiming your business online.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover how to claim your Google Business Profile, what to do with this listing once you own it, and how to ensure listing consistency across the web.
The Benefits of Claiming Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is the catalyst for ensuring your company shows up in important searches. This listing allows you to connect with customers who are looking for the services you offer in your specific area and allows you to show up on Google maps.
For service businesses, Google Business Profiles are extremely important. Even without a physical storefront, these listings allow you to convert searchers into customers.
Through your Google Business Profile, you can show your credentials, highlight your service area, provide a simple way to schedule services, and communicate directly with clients via chat.
In fact, your Google Business Profile is customizable, allowing you to add a button for scheduling services, providing a quick quote, or calling your business line directly.
Your Google Business Profile also gives you the power to respond to public questions about your services, creating a built-in Q&A section, and you can use this platform to manage your business’s online reviews.
With the incredible number of benefits a Google Business Profile provides, you must take the time to claim and verify your listing.
How to Claim Your Google Business Profile
The good news is that unlocking the power of your Google Business Profile is simple. Google has made it easy to claim and customize your listing, allowing any business owner to create a branded, recognizable profile. Use the following steps to get started:
- Open up your web browser and sign in to Google Maps. To sign in, use your Google account information. In some cases, you may already be logged into this account.
- Once logged in, you can go about adding your business via three different methods:
- Method 1: Type the address of your business into the search bar. On the left-hand side, you’ll see a Business Profile tab. Click on “Add your business.”
- Method 2: Right-click on the map. Choose “Add your business.”
- Method 3: Go to the top left-hand side of your screen and click on Menu. Under Menu, choose “Add your business.”
- Next, you’ll follow the prompts to finish claiming your business.
- Finally, you’ll be provided with a verification method. In most cases, you will need to verify your business by mail. Google will send a postcard containing a verification code to your physical address. Once you enter this code, you’ll be linked to your business listing, allowing you to begin managing the listing.
Building Your Listing
Once you have verified your profile, it’s time to begin managing the listing. The first thing to do is review your listing information to ensure everything is up to date and accurate. Pay close attention to your phone number, email address, website, and service information. Remember, in many cases, this will be the first and potentially only place that a customer finds information about your business. You want to ensure that the information you provide will make it easy for them to schedule services.
Once you have updated all of your information, you can begin to enhance your profile with photos, service tags, and a quick synopsis of your business.
The more information you can include on your page listing, the better. This will help customers find the information they are looking for, and Google will also use it to determine whether or not you’re relevant to searches in the area.
Pro Tips for Managing Your Listing on an Ongoing Basis
Beyond simply setting up your profile and claiming your business listing, you will want to continue to use this listing to reach customers. The following tips will help you keep your listing relevant and will allow you to convert leads via this useful platform:
1. Post at Least Once a Week
One of the benefits of claiming your Google Business Profile is that you can create custom content to post to the platform on an ongoing basis. To make the most of your profile, commit to posting at least once a week.
Posts should be compelling and include a clear call to action. By posting each week, customers will recognize that you’re an active, engaged business. This can help sway those who are shopping around for a specific service.
2. Add Photos
Photos are one of the best ways to make your business profile stand out. If you have a physical location, invest in professional photography of your space. This will help showcase the quality of your service center.
If you’re operating from home, as is often the case for mobile plumbers, electricians, and HVAC techs, use your photo section to highlight completed work.
For example, perhaps you recently swapped out an old furnace for a new one. Snap a few quality photos and add these to your gallery.
Each month, try to add at least a handful of new photos to your listing. This will keep things relevant and improve your ability to rank.
3. Provide Promotions and Offers
Your Google Business Profile is a great place to provide special promotions and offers. In fact, posts are set up to allow you to design offers complete with coupon codes or other information.
This is a great place to test out a few new specials and can help your business stand out in a search.
4. Monitor Your Chat
One of the features that you have the option of turning on in your Google Business Profile is messaging and quote requests. If you do decide to toggle this feature on — which we highly recommend — make sure someone has the time to monitor the chat.
Your goal should be to respond to customers no later than an hour after they message you in the chat. If possible, respond immediately.
5. Respond to Reviews
Your Google Business Profile provides customers with the chance to leave a review of your company. The more positive reviews you can gather, the better.
However, regardless of whether a review was positive or negative, it is important to respond to the review. Through your Google Business Profile, you will be able to type up a response to any review that has been left for your business.
When responding to positive reviews, take the time to thank your customer for their review and their business. Showcase how much you care about your clients.
When responding to a negative review, it is best to simply ask the person to reach out to a manager directly. Provide them with contact information and explain that you’d like to make the situation right. Never engage in an argument on your profile, as this can look unprofessional and be off-putting to potential customers.
Examples of Google Business Profile Posts
Need a little inspiration for your next Google Business post? Check out the following examples of how service companies can use these posts to drive business.
Examples for an HVAC Business
Example 1: Promotion
Winter is just around the corner. Have you scheduled your furnace tune-up? If not, use this coupon to get 20% off your next service.
(Link to redeem offer)
Example 2: Photo Showcase
Check out this electricity bill before and after! We helped our customers achieve these savings by installing a new energy-efficient AC unit. Call us to learn more!
(Call Now Button)
Examples for a Plumber
Example 1: Promotion
Tired of running out of hot water? Get a free quote for an on-demand water heater.
(Request Quote Button)
Example 2: Photo Showcase
It’s amazing what a new faucet can do to brighten up a room. Check out our recent faucet installation project.
(Link to photo gallery)
Examples for an Electrician
Example 1: Promotion
Is the summer heat inspiring you to install a new overhead fan? We can help! Beat the heat with 15% off overhead fan installation services.
(Link to redeem offer)
Example 2: Photo Showcase
Look at that rat’s nest! This is what happens when you inherit a previous homeowner’s wiring handiwork. Check out our before and after gallery to see how we can help.
(Link to Gallery)
Examples for an Auto Shop
Example 1: Promotion
At long last, winter has left the building! Drive on over to swap those winter tires for summer tires and get a free oil change with tire service.
(Link to redeem offer)
Example 2: Photo Showcase
Say hello to our newest team member, Jason Styme. Jason is joining us as head mechanic, bringing 25 years of industry experience. Learn more about our talented team.
(Link to About Us)
Ensuring Consistency in Your Online Listings
In addition to your Google Business Profile, your business might also show up on other listing websites. Common websites for home services include:
- Angie’s List
- Bing
- Home Advisor
- Houzz
- Porch
- Thumbtack
- Yahoo!
- Yellowpages.com
- Yelp
Each of these websites will have a different method for claiming your business listing, but it is worthwhile to take the time to do so in every applicable place.
Make sure to use the same website, email address, phone number, and bio for every listing. Upload a high-quality logo when possible and keep your messaging aligned.
When your business has a consistent listing across the internet, you will improve your ability to rank for critical keywords and establish trust with customers who will begin to recognize your brand readily.
Talk to J&L Marketing About Managing Your Business Listings
If you need to claim your business online, but you aren’t ready to tackle the task on your own, our team is here to help. We can help you not only claim your business listings, but can also help ensure consistency in your listings across the web.
From here, we’ll assist you in building out a strategy to use these listings to increase quality leads each month. With years of experience helping service businesses, we know how to make the most of your online listings to draw in qualified leads. If you’re interested in learning more, we invite you to talk to our team. We’ll be happy to assess your current marketing strategy and work with you to find ways to improve your presence.
