When someone in OKC searches for what you do, your Google Business Profile is often the first thing they see. Before your website, before your Facebook page. And even people who find you through an ad usually Google you before they book.
Most local profiles are half done. Here's the checklist I use.
The basics
- Claimed and verified. If you haven't claimed your profile, someone else could edit it. Verify it through Google.
- Your real business name. Use the name on your truck, sign and paperwork. Don't stuff keywords in, like "Smith Roofing Best Roofer OKC." It's against Google's rules and can get your profile suspended.
- The right primary category. This is one of the biggest factors in what searches you show up for. Pick the most specific one that fits: "Roofing contractor," not "Contractor."
- Secondary categories. Add the other things you really do, without overdoing it.
- Phone number and website that match your actual website exactly.
Service area vs address
- If customers come to you (shop, salon, studio, office): show your address and make sure the map pin is in the right spot.
- If you go to customers (contractors, pest control, cleaners, mobile detailers): you can hide your address and list your service areas instead. Most OKC businesses list the metro cities they actually work in, like Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Yukon and Mustang.
Don't list a home address you don't want public. Don't make up a fake office either. Google cracks down on that.
Make it complete
- Hours, including holiday hours, so nobody shows up to a locked door.
- Business description in plain language. What you do, who you do it for and where. Write it for people, not for Google.
- Services listed out, with short descriptions where you can.
- Booking or quote link pointing to a page where people can actually book.
- Opening date and any attributes that fit, like veteran-owned or woman-owned.
Photos and video
- Logo and cover photo.
- Real photos of your work, team, trucks and space. Not stock. Google profiles with real photos look like real businesses.
- Short videos from your jobs or shoots.
- New photos regularly. A profile where the latest photo is from 2021 looks closed.
Every shoot I do for clients produces photos and clips for their profile. Here's why real video beats stock.
Reviews
- A steady flow of real reviews. Not 40 in one week and then nothing for a year.
- Reply to every review, good and bad, in your own voice. People read the replies.
- A simple way to ask, like a short link you text after every job.
Here's how to get more Google reviews without breaking the rules.
Stay active
- Post updates now and then: a finished job, a seasonal offer, a quick tip. Whether posts help rankings directly is debated, but an active profile looks like an active business.
- Keep info current when your hours, phone or services change.
Match everywhere
- Same name, phone number and website everywhere, including your website, Facebook, Yelp, the BBB, Angi and any directories. Mismatched info confuses both Google and customers, and it's one of the most common problems I find.
What not to do
- Don't buy reviews or offer anything in exchange for them.
- Don't create a second profile for the same business.
- Don't use a PO box or virtual office as your address.
- Don't keyword-stuff your name.
Need a hand?
If your profile needs cleanup or you haven't set one up yet, book a free strategy call and we'll look at it together. Here's how I handle Google Business Profile setup.