Having an online presence is imperative for any trade business that wants to attract new customers and grow. One of the best ways for tradesmen to get discovered online is by claiming and optimizing their Google Business profile. Read on to understand why it’s so crucial for plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople to have a Google business profile.
A Google business profile, also called Google My Business profile, allows local businesses like tradesmen to manage their online presence across Google search and maps. With a Google business profile, important details like business name, address, contact information, services, and photos show up on Google search results and maps when potential customers search for related services in their area. This gives trades businesses an opportunity to be found by customers near them when they search online for local services like “plumber near me” or “electrician in my city.”
Benefits of a Google Business Profile for Tradesmen
Here are some key reasons why tradesmen should claim and optimize their Google business profile:
1. Increased visibility and discoverability
With a Google business profile, your trades business shows up directly on Google search results and maps. This gives you a huge advantage over competitors who don’t have an online listing because customers searching in your area on Google will find you. Potential customers are way more likely to contact a trades business they can easily find on Google versus an unknown competitor with no online presence.
2. Higher ranking on local Google searches
Google gives priority to businesses with complete and actively maintained Google business profiles in local search results. By optimizing your profile with complete details, photos and regular updates, you can rank higher in local search engine results pages (SERPs) seen by customers searching near your business location. This will send you more high intent, ready-to-hire customers through your website and phone.
3. Real-time tracking of profile visits and calls
Google business profiles provide insightful metrics that let you track how many people are visiting your profile and calling from it. You’ll know which information like services or photos are resonating best with viewers. This data-driven approach helps optimize your profile content and better understand customer behavior and intent, helping convert more leads.
4. Opportunity to manage tradesmen online reviews
Google and other review sites now influence a significant percentage of customer purchase decisions. With a business profile, you’ll have full control of any reviews posted about your business on Google. You can also ask happy clients to post positive testimonials to build social proof and reassure potential customers. Addressing any negative reviews promptly and professionally also shows good customer service. Overall, reviews play a big role in customer trust and choosing one business over others.
5. Enhanced business listing across Google
In addition to Google search and maps, your Google business profile will power additional listings for your business across Google like business info on Google Assistant, business listings on YouTube videos, citations on knowledge panels next to your business name in Google search results, and more. This expands your discovery surface area and visibility for anyone searching related terms through any Google channel.
6. SEO benefits through business citations
When setting up your business listing, Google will automatically add verified business citations to your profile sourced from third-party directories and business listing sites it indexes. Each citation serves as a link back to your profile and website, helping boost your search engine rankings through trust flow and domain authority. Citations strengthen your online reputation and trust signals with Google.
7. Engagement through posts and updates
You can boost engagement through regularly posting updates, photos and information about your trades services on your Google business profile. This keeps your business top-of-mind with existing and past clients. You can also use posts to announce service additions, new team members, promotion offers, etc. With people regularly checking updates, your visibility is constantly being increased.
8. Service area management features
Through a Google business profile, tradesmen can clearly define and promote the exact locations and areas they service. Customers searching for local businesses in their neighborhood will then find yours if you service their area. You can even draw your service boundaries as a shape on the map for added clarity on reach for potential customers.
9. Integration with other Google tools
Google business profiles seamlessly integrate with other useful Google tools like Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Posts, etc. You can track profile traffic sources and monitor performance of ads or posts driving users to your listing. Deeper analytics let you optimize spend, content and strategy based on real user behavior data.
10. Access valuable business insights
Through its business profile dashboard, Google provides trades businesses access to valuable local search insights and market trends. You can learn about top searches in your area, busiest times for customer requests, competing businesses, new companies popping up locally and more. This industry and area specific market intelligence lets you make smart strategic and operational decisions for growth.
Final Take
So, having a complete and optimized Google business profile gives tradesmen a massive competitive advantage in the highly local and digital services marketplace of today. It’s a necessity for trades businesses looking to attract high intent customers, stay ahead of competitors, measure campaign success and grow sustainably over time. Consider claiming your business profile now at Trade Mastermind or speak to a representative to get expert help optimizing your listing for local search dominance!
