The Google Business Profile Checklist for Contractors
Set up the free listing that shows up above every website in local search — and keep it working.
What's inside
- Ownership & basics
- Profile content
- Photos
- Reviews
- Posts & updates
When a homeowner searches "roofer near me" or "AC repair [town]," the map with three businesses shows up before any website. That map is powered by your Google Business Profile (GBP). It's free, and most contractors leave it half-finished. Work through this list once, then use the monthly routine at the end to keep it climbing.
Google profile check
Step 1 of 6
Ownership & basics
Open your Google Business Profile and tap where each item stands. Takes about 5 minutes.
Search your business name in Google Maps and confirm you own and have verified the listing (not a past employee, a web vendor, or nobody)
Check for duplicate listings of your business and request removal of any extras
Business name matches your real-world name exactly — no added keywords like "Best Roofer Daytona" (Google can suspend listings for this)
Phone number is the one you actually answer, and it matches your website exactly
Address or service area is correct — if you don't serve customers at your location, hide the address and use service areas instead
Website link goes to your homepage or the most relevant service page, not a broken or old URL
Profile content
Primary category is the most accurate one for your main service (e.g. "Roofing contractor," "HVAC contractor," "Plumber") — this is one of the biggest ranking factors you control
Secondary categories added for every other service you genuinely offer
Service areas list the actual cities/zip codes you work in, not just your home town
Hours are accurate, including emergency or after-hours availability if you offer it
Special hours set for holidays (and storms) so Google doesn't show you as open when you're not
Business description (up to 750 characters) says what you do, who you serve, and which towns — written for a homeowner, not stuffed with keywords
Services section filled out with each service and a one-line description
Attributes checked where relevant (e.g. "Online estimates," "Veteran-owned," "Women-owned")
Photos
Logo and cover photo uploaded
At least 10 real job photos (before/after works best)
Photos of your team, your trucks, and your crew on the job — real faces build trust
No stock photos
New photos added every month (a fresh profile signals an active business)
Reviews
You have your direct review link saved (in your GBP dashboard: "Ask for reviews") and it's on your phone for quick sending
You ask every finished job for a review, the same day, by text with the direct link
You reply to every review — good and bad — within 48 hours
You don't offer discounts, gifts, or anything else in exchange for reviews (Google's policies prohibit it)
You don't "filter" by only sending the review link to customers you think are happy (Google calls this review gating and prohibits it)
Your best reviews are also shown on your website
Posts & updates
You publish a Google Post at least twice a month — a finished job, a seasonal reminder, or an offer
Each post has a real photo and a clear button ("Call now," "Get quote," "Learn more")
Seasonal posts go up before the season (AC tune-ups in spring, roof inspections before storm season)
Consistency everywhere
Your business name, address, and phone match exactly on your website, Facebook, Yelp, Angi, BBB, Nextdoor, and any directory you're listed on
Old phone numbers or old addresses are updated or removed everywhere
Monthly 15-minute routine
The rest is free
Get the full checklist free
Want this handled for you?
Raid Contractor Marketing sets up and manages Google Business Profiles for home-service contractors as part of our local SEO service.
Questions
Yes. No credit card, no trial, no catch. Enter your first name and email and the whole thing is yours.