Why your profile matters as much as your website
When someone searches for a service near them, Google often shows a map with three businesses before any website results. Those listings come from Google Business Profile. Reviews play a big role in which business gets the call — BrightLocal's 2025 survey found only 4% of consumers say they never read online reviews when choosing a local business.
Set it up correctly
Getting the basics right avoids most problems later:
- Use your real business name — no added keywords or locations
- Choose the most specific primary category, then add relevant secondary categories
- Enter your address exactly as it appears on your website and other listings
- If you serve customers at their location and don't have a storefront, hide your address and set your service areas (for example Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Pearland)
- Add hours, phone, website, and services with descriptions
- Complete verification as Google requests
Adding keywords to your business name ("Smith Plumbing — Best Houston Plumber") violates Google's guidelines and can get your profile suspended.
Optimize what customers see
After setup, focus on the details that help customers choose you:
- Upload real photos of your team, location, and work — and add new ones regularly
- List every service with a short, clear description
- Publish posts with updates, offers, and recent projects
- Keep holiday and special hours current
- Make sure your website's contact page uses the same name, address, and phone
Build a steady flow of genuine reviews
Ask every satisfied customer, make it easy with a direct review link, and reply to every review — positive or negative — professionally. Never buy reviews, offer incentives for positive ones, or post reviews for your own business; Google prohibits these practices.
Keep your listings consistent everywhere
Search engines compare your business information across the web. Keep your name, address, and phone identical on your website, Google, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect, Yelp, industry directories, and social profiles.
Measure what's working
Your profile's Performance section shows searches, views, calls, website clicks, and direction requests. Review it monthly alongside your website analytics to see which actions bring in customers.
Want help showing up in Houston's local results? Our SEO plans include Google Business Profile optimization and monthly reporting.