Article · Halo
Google Business Profile checklist for local SEO (without the hype)
Your Profile is often the first branded result. A complete, accurate listing supports maps visibility and gives people a reason to click through to your site.
Complete the obvious fields first
Accurate name, address or service area, phone, hours, and primary category establish relevance. Inconsistent NAP (name, address, phone) data across the web undermines trust signals—keep them aligned with your site and printed materials.
Holiday hours and temporary closures should be updated proactively. Nothing erodes confidence faster than driving to a closed storefront that Google still lists as open.
Photos and services
Fresh photos of real work outperform generic stock. Add structured service lists with plain language—what you install, repair, deliver, or teach. The Profile is a compressed version of your sales conversation; help people self-qualify.
Reviews and replies
Ask satisfied clients for reviews on a schedule, not in a panic after a slump. Reply to every review with specifics: thank the person, acknowledge the job, and avoid robotic templates. Prospects read replies as a proxy for how you handle feedback.
Website and Profile alignment
Links, offers, and phone numbers must match. If the Profile pushes to a landing page, that page should load fast and repeat the same promise. Disconnects between Profile and site create doubt and wasted clicks.
Measure what matters
Track calls, direction requests, and website visits from the Profile. Small experiments—updated photos, clarified service descriptions—should tie to outcomes, not vanity impressions alone.