Practical guides for NZ tradies

Improve your trade business Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the listing customers see in Google Search and Maps. Start by checking the basics: your phone number, hours, services and the areas you cover. Then add real photos of your work and ask customers for honest reviews.

Google says local results depend mainly on how well your business matches the search, how far away it is and how well known it is. You can improve the information on your profile, but you can’t pay Google to move it up the unpaid local results. See Google’s local ranking guidance.

4 minute read · Made for Tradies

Work through the profile yourself

Someone may call you straight from this listing without visiting your website. Make sure it gives them enough information to decide whether you can help and makes it easy to get in touch.

Start with the right listing

Sign in to the Google account managing the business and open its Business Profile in Search or Maps. Confirm the correct business and complete any required verification by following Google’s instructions.

Record the name, category, phone, hours, website and service areas with the date. That gives you a record to refer back to, especially if someone else also updates the listing. Menu labels may change; use the linked instructions when your screen differs.

Check your name and contact details

Use the real business name and categories appropriate to the services provided. Compare contact details and hours with your website. Fix any differences and check holiday hours. Only advertise services and availability you can deliver.

List the areas you actually cover

Choose Edit profile, then Location, then edit Service area. Enter the places you actually cover and save. Google allows up to 20 service areas. If you do not serve customers at your business address, remove the displayed address and use service areas. Follow Google’s service-area instructions.

Listing a suburb does not guarantee ranking there. It also makes sense to list places you’re willing to travel to, so you don’t waste time on jobs too far away.

Describe the jobs you do

Use names customers recognise and describe what the service covers. For example, planned bathroom plumbing and maintenance may deserve separate descriptions if both are offered. Do not add a service just because a keyword tool suggests it.

Show photos of your work

Choose clear images of actual work and the business, with permission where needed. Avoid private customer details. Start with a useful selection and update it when there is something relevant to show. A clear photo of a job you’re proud of is more useful than posting something just for the sake of it.

Ask customers for a review

Use the review link or QR code from your profile after working with a customer. Do not offer rewards. Google explains the options in its review guidance.

Example request: Thanks for choosing [business] for [work]. If you would like to share your experience, you can leave an honest review here: [link]. Your feedback helps us and future customers.

Give customers the same chance to leave a review, including those who weren’t completely happy. Thank people for their feedback and deal with concerns calmly. Keep private job and customer details out of public replies.

Check that calls and messages get through

View the profile as a customer, open the website on a phone and find the relevant service. Submit a labelled test enquiry and confirm receipt. Check that the call button uses the right number and that your voicemail tells people what to do if you can’t answer.

Check which enquiries turn into work

Keep a monthly record of available profile activity and actual enquiries. Ask customers how they found you and mark unknown sources honestly. Someone tapping the call button doesn’t mean you spoke to them or got the job.

While you’re there, check for new reviews and make sure your hours and contact details are still right. Note any changes you make. Compare similar periods, allowing for seasonal work, before deciding what’s helping.

How Made for Tradies can help

We include Business Profile setup or improvements within our website offering, with the exact work agreed for your situation. Tell us whether you have an existing profile and what is causing difficulty. For ongoing website and marketing support, see marketing for tradies.

Get help with your Google listing