Your Google Business Profile is the single most visible piece of your online presence for local customers. And yet most local businesses leave it half-finished. Here's a plain checklist for making yours work harder for you.
The essentials
- Business name — exactly as it appears on your sign and paperwork.
- Primary category — choose the most specific one that genuinely fits.
- Address — match it to your website and everywhere else, letter for letter.
- Service area — list the places you actually serve, not a wish list.
- Hours — keep them current, especially around holidays.
- Phone number — your primary, reachable number.
- Website — link to your real site, not a placeholder.
The part most businesses skip
Photos. Real, recent photos of your work, your team, and your storefront. Profiles with current photos get more attention and more direction requests. You don't need a photographer — a phone and a bit of care beats a stock image every time.
Reviews and responses
Recent reviews and your responses to them are part of what keeps a profile alive. A profile that hasn't received a review in months signals that a business may be slow or closed.
ReviewSeal helps you keep that activity steady — sending requests after each completed job and drafting replies so responding takes a minute rather than an evening.
What quietly hurts you
- An old address or phone number left over from a move.
- A category that's too broad — 'Contractor' instead of 'Kitchen Remodeler'.
- No photos, or photos that are years out of date.
- A long silence with no new reviews or responses.
A complete, honest, and current profile beats a clever one. Get the basics right and the rest gets easier.
Keep it current
Set a monthly reminder to glance at your profile. Update your hours for the season, add a few recent photos, and make sure your details still match your website. Ten minutes a month keeps your most visible asset working for you.
