Guides · Get found on Google
How to Get Your Trade Business on Google Maps (Google Business Profile Guide)
A step-by-step guide for builders, plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople to set up and improve their Google Business Profile and get more local calls.
Why Google Maps matters for trades
When someone needs a tradesperson they usually search on their phone, often adding “near me”. The first thing they see is a map with three local businesses. Those three get a large share of the calls.
Getting into that box is mostly about your Google Business Profile, a free listing from Google. Yet many small businesses either don’t have one or have never filled it in properly.
Step 1: Claim your profile
Go to google.com/business and search for your business name. If it exists, claim it. If not, create it. Google will ask you to verify that you’re the owner, often by video or post.
If you work from home and travel to customers, choose to hide your address and list your service areas instead.
Step 2: Choose the right categories
Your main category matters a lot. Pick the one that best describes your main service, such as “Plumber”, “Electrician” or “Roofing contractor”. Then add a few extra categories for other things you do.
Step 3: Fill in everything
- Services. List each service you offer, with a short description.
- Service areas. Add the towns and postcodes you cover.
- Hours. Include emergency or weekend hours if you offer them.
- Phone and website. Use the same details as on your website.
- Description. Say clearly what you do, where, and what makes you different. Mention accreditations like Gas Safe or NICEIC.
Step 4: Add real photos, often
Photos of your work, your van and your team build trust. Upload before-and-after shots after each job. Businesses that add photos regularly tend to get more calls than those that don’t.
Step 5: Get more reviews
Reviews are one of the biggest factors in who shows up and who gets the call. Most people check reviews before contacting a business.
- Ask every happy customer, ideally on the day you finish the job.
- Send a direct link to your review page by text or WhatsApp.
- Do it after every job.
Step 6: Reply to every review
Thank people for good reviews. For bad ones, stay calm, apologise where it’s fair and offer to put it right. Future customers read your replies as much as the reviews.
Step 7: Link it to a proper website
Your Google profile works best alongside a website with a page for each service and area you cover. Google uses your website to understand what you do and where, and customers use it to check you out before calling.
Common mistakes
- Using a different phone number or business name in different places
- Stuffing keywords into your business name (Google can suspend you for this)
- Leaving questions and reviews unanswered
- Never posting updates or new photos
Want us to do it for you?
We set up and improve Google Business Profiles as part of our websites for tradespeople. Start with a free check and we’ll show you how you compare with competitors in your area.
