A Google Business Profile is the free listing that appears on Google Maps and in the map results when someone searches for a trade near them. For a new trades business it is usually the single most valuable thing you can set up, and it costs nothing but time. This service gets yours created or repaired, verified and filled in properly.
Why the profile matters more than anything else in year one
When a homeowner searches for "electrician near me" or "drywall repair [town name]", Google usually shows a map with a short list of businesses before any websites. If you are not verified, you are not in that list. A new owner with a complete profile and a few honest reviews can appear there long before a website starts to rank.
It is also where people check you out after a referral. Someone's neighbour gives them your name; they search it; they see your photos, your reviews and your hours. An empty or unverified profile makes a referral less likely to call.
Who this is for
This service suits three kinds of owner:
- Starting from zero. You have never created a profile and want it done correctly from the beginning.
- Stuck in verification. You tried, the video or postcard did not work, and now you are not sure what to do.
- Inherited a mess. There are duplicate listings, an old profile from a previous business name, or a suspension notice.
If you are comfortable doing it yourself, our free step-by-step profile guide covers the same ground. The service is for when you would rather have it checked by someone who has done it many times.
What is included
We work through the profile in a fixed order so nothing is missed.
- Account and ownership. The profile sits under a Google account you control. If you need to, we help you create a business account you will keep for years.
- Name and category. Your business name exactly as registered with your province, with no extra keywords. A primary category that matches your main trade, plus a few additional ones only where they are true.
- Service area. Address hidden if you work from home, and a service area drawn from the towns or neighbourhoods you actually reach.
- Contact details. A phone number that can take texts, your hours, and a link to your website if you have one.
- Services and description. A plain description of what you do, and a services list in the words customers use.
- Photos. Guidance on real photos that help: you, your vehicle with signage, finished work, your tools. No stock images.
- Verification support. Preparing for the method Google offers you, including what to show on camera.
- Review link. A short link you can text to customers after a job, with a polite request template that uses placeholders such as [Customer name].
Timeline
Setup work usually fits into one or two sessions. Verification is the part nobody controls: Google sets the method and the timing. Plan for anything from a few days to a few weeks.
Once verified, give the profile a couple of months of steady activity, such as new photos, answered reviews and accurate hours, before judging how many calls it brings.
How results are measured
Google shows profile owners basic performance numbers, such as calls made from the profile, requests for directions and website clicks. We show you where to find them and how to record them monthly next to your own call log.
The real measure is booked jobs. When a new caller says "I found you on Google", note it. After three months you will know roughly what share of your work the profile brings. Our DIY coaching sessions can review those numbers with you.
Mistakes that get new trades profiles suspended
Most problems we see come from a handful of avoidable errors.
- Keyword-stuffed names. "Mike's Plumbing Best Emergency Plumber Calgary" is not a business name. Use your registered name only.
- Virtual offices or mailbox addresses. If you have no real premises customers visit, hide the address and use a service area instead.
- Duplicate profiles. One business, one profile. Delete or merge old ones.
- Buying or swapping reviews. Reviews must come from real customers. Fake reviews can get a profile removed and can mislead consumers.
- Changing everything at once. Big edits right after verification can trigger re-verification. Make changes gradually.
The Competition Bureau treats false or misleading representations seriously, and that includes reviews and claims about your business. Keep everything on the profile true.
Ready to sort out your profile? See pricing, browse all four services, or contact us with your business name and the towns you serve.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the profile once you set it up?
You do. The profile is created under your own Google account, and we only ever get manager access if you choose to give it. You can remove that access at any time.
I work from home. Will my address show?
It does not have to. Most trades are service-area businesses, and Google lets you hide your address and show the towns you serve instead. We make sure that is set correctly.
My profile was suspended. Can you help?
Often, yes. Most suspensions on new trades profiles come from a mismatch, such as a business name with extra keywords or an address that is not allowed. We help you find the cause and prepare an honest reinstatement request.
How long does verification take?
It varies. Google chooses the verification method, and for new businesses that is often a short video showing your vehicle, tools and proof of business. Some owners are done in days; others need a second attempt.