Mastering Your Service-Area Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile – formerly known as Google My Business – isn’t just for brick-and-mortar stores.

It’s a powerful, free tool for local service-based businesses to increase visibility, connect with customers, and enhance credibility.

If you’re a service-based local business looking to optimize your online presence, you’re in the right place.

In this post, we’ll guide you on setting up, optimizing, and troubleshooting your Service-Area Google Business Profile to ensure maximum impact.

Determine Your Business Type: Service-Area and Hybrid Businesses

Service-Area Businesses

If you deliver services directly to customers’ locations (think cleaning services or plumbing), you fall under this category. It’s crucial that you create only one profile for the entire metropolitan area you serve.

Hybrid Businesses

These are businesses that both serve customers at their physical location and travel to deliver services. In this case, you can show your storefront address and denote your service area.

Just remember, without permanent on-site signage, your business should be listed as a service-area business, not a storefront.

Setting Up Your Google Business Profile

Step 1: Visit google.com/business Bookmark this URL for easy future access.

Step 2: Log In Use your Google account. If you don’t have one, create it using any email address.

Step 3: Enter Your Business Details Type your business name and ensure it matches your real-world business name without keyword stuffing. Choose a relevant business category from the list provided by Google.

Step 4: Address and Service Area Since you likely don’t have a storefront, select “No” for the address question. You’ll then define your service area by cities, postal codes, or other specific areas—up to 20! Remember, these areas should not extend beyond about 2 hours of driving distance from your base. Step 5: Contact Information Add your business phone number and website URL to make it easier for customers to reach you.

Step 6: Opt-In for Updates Staying updated with Google’s practices is highly recommended.

Step 7: Verify Your Listing Verification options include phone, email, postcard, video recording, or live video call. Pick the method most convenient for you and complete the verification steps.

Optimizing Your Google Business Profile

NAP Consistency: Name, Address, Phone Ensure that your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across the web to avoid any confusion.

Great Business Description Craft a clear, concise description focusing on your products or services and how they benefit your customers.

Add Images Upload photos of your business, including exterior and interior shots, and team members. Visual content can significantly enhance your profile.

Google Posts Utilize Google posts to share updates, offers, and events directly in Google Search and Maps.

Feature Products Highlight your products or services using the product editor.

Respond to Reviews Monitor and reply to reviews regularly to maintain a positive reputation.

Questions and Answers Address common questions and respond to inquiries promptly.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you encounter issues, you have options for resolutions. Contact Google support or set an appointment with a Google Advisor for personalized assistance.

Don’t get discouraged by initial setbacks—persisting through challenges can lead to increased visibility and more customers finding your business through Google.

Optimize Your Marketing Strategy

Setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile is just one part of an intelligent marketing strategy. To truly elevate your business, ensure you cover all bases.

Find out how your marketing stacks up by taking the SMART Marketing quiz. Get customized insights on where YOUR business can focus its efforts to get the best return on investment.

Unlock your business’s full potential with tailored marketing advice—it’s like having a personal coach right by your side!

And remember, you don’t need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or a dedicated staff to market your business you don’t even need a lot of time.

What you need is to be smart, and optimizing your Google Business Profile is smart for your business.

If you're ready to grow your business with smart marketing you can:

1. Sign up for weekly FREE Business Bytes with CEO, Torie Mathis

2. Get a SMART Funnel and begin to automate your marketing

3. Learn Digital Marketing with a Smart Marketing Course

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TORIE MATHIS

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs grow their business with Smart Marketing.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, international speaker + trainer, and the CEO + Creative Director at Lake Shark Media. She also teaches entrepreneurs how to get smart with digital marketing at toriemathis.com