For most contractors, the Google Business Profile is the single biggest source of local calls. It's free, and most of it is a one-time setup plus a few minutes a month. Work through this list.
Setup
- Pick the most specific primary category. "Concrete contractor" beats "Contractor." This one choice affects which searches you show up for more than almost anything else.
- Add secondary categories for the other work you really do, and nothing you don't.
- Set your service area. If customers don't come to you, list the cities you serve and hide your street address.
- List every service with a short description of each.
- Use the same name, phone and website as on your website and other listings, exactly.
- Set accurate hours, including when someone answers the phone.
Photos
- Add a clear logo and a cover photo of real work.
- Upload photos of finished jobs as you complete them, and say what the job was.
- Include your truck, your team and before-and-after shots. Real beats polished.
Reviews
- Ask every happy customer, right after the job, with a direct link to leave a review.
- Reply to every review, good or bad, briefly and professionally.
- Never buy reviews or offer something in exchange for them. It breaks Google's rules and can get your profile suspended.
Every month
- Post an update or a recent project.
- Add new photos.
- Check that your hours, services and phone number are still right.
- Look at the profile's performance numbers: calls, website clicks and direction requests.