Setting Up Location Services on Google Business Profile
When someone searches for a roofing company nearby, one of the first things they come across is a Google Business Profile. It pops up with your business name, photos, customer reviews, location, service area, and sometimes even your hours or phone number. For roofers, that profile is one of the easiest tools out there to get noticed, but only if it’s set up the right way. If your location services aren’t working or your service area isn’t showing, you’re probably missing out on a lot of local customers.
Setting up your Google Business Profile correctly can be the difference between getting that call and being passed over. From creating the account to adding and adjusting your location, the goal is to get it updated with details so people can find and trust your business. Whether you’re just starting out or realizing your setup is off, it’s worth taking the time to make sure your location setup puts you where your customers need you to be.
Creating Your Google Business Profile
Before anything else, you need a Google account. This will be the login that manages your business info. Once you’ve got that, you can start setting up your profile by visiting the Google Business Profile site. If you’re not sure whether a listing already exists, search your business name on Google first. If it shows up, you may just need to claim it. Otherwise, you’ll create one from scratch.
Here’s a quick step-by-step to help you get going:
- Go to the Google Business Profile site and click “Manage now.”
- Enter your business name exactly as you want it to appear on Google.
- Choose your business category – in this case, something like “Roofing Contractor” fits best.
- Add your business address, and if you go to customers’ homes, don’t forget to check the box that says you also serve people outside your location.
- Follow the prompts to verify your business. This is often done through a postcard that gets mailed to your listed address, but other options may pop up depending on eligibility.
It’s worth slowing down when entering this info. Everything here, from business hours to name spelling, affects how customers and search engines will see you. If your address or hours are wrong, people might drive to a closed office or call after hours, leading to missed chances or frustrated clients.
The profile you set up today is what customers could be seeing for months or even years if it’s left untouched. Making the effort now helps set the foundation for everything else down the line, especially when it comes to showing up in the right places with accurate info.
Adding Location Details
Once your basic profile is ready, setting up your location the right way helps customers know where you’re based and how far out you’re willing to work. This step is where a lot of roofers drop the ball. Either they don’t list a clear address, or they forget to tell Google about the full range of areas they serve.
To make sure your business shows up for folks in your target zones:
– Enter your full business address, even if you run things out of your home. If you don’t want it to show, you can still enter your address privately and select “Service Area Business.”
– Choose cities, counties, or ZIP codes that are part of your service area. Keep it local. Too wide a range, and Google might see that as trying to game the system.
– If you have multiple locations, like if your business operates out of more than one place, set them up one at a time. Each location should have its own profile.
Google usually asks for one form of verification per address. That could be a video recording, a phone call, or even a postcard like mentioned earlier. Don’t skip this step thinking it doesn’t matter. Without it, your business might never go live on Google Maps.
Let’s say your office is in a smaller town just outside a city. If you don’t add the city to your service area, you may never appear in searches there. That’s a lot of leads left on the table just because of a skipped detail. So take the time, enter locations carefully, and confirm those details when Google reaches out for verification. It’s worth it.
Optimizing Your Profile for Local SEO
Once your core business info and location are set, the next step is making your profile easier for people to find. This is where local SEO comes in. Your profile plays a big role in whether or not you show up when someone types in “roofers near me” or “roof repair [your city].” To help improve your local ranking, you’ll need to add keywords, choose the right categories, and keep your content fresh.
Start with your business category. If you’re primarily offering roofing services, pick “Roofing Contractor.” It sounds basic, but getting this right helps Google know exactly what kind of jobs your business handles. You’ll also want to use related terms in your business description. Keep it simple and real. Mention things like “shingle roof replacement,” “storm damage inspection,” or “flat roof repair” depending on what you offer.
Then there’s reviews. You don’t need a hundred of them, but the more good ones you have, the more likely new customers will trust you. Ask happy homeowners to leave one after the job’s done. Respond to each review—even the rough ones. It shows that you care and that you’re actually paying attention. Google notices that too.
Photos also help. Post high-quality images of recent jobs, your crew at work, your trucks, and maybe even before-and-after shots. It gives people a sense of your work and builds trust before they even call.
Maintaining and Updating Your Google Business Profile
A profile that sits untouched for months won’t do your business much good. Just like every tool you use on the job, your Google Business Profile needs regular maintenance. Small edits and updates tell Google that your business is active and serious about showing up in the right searches.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
– Make sure your hours are current, especially during holidays or seasonal shifts.
– Update your service areas if you expand or stop serving a specific town.
– Add new photos or short posts every few weeks to keep the profile looking fresh.
Google also gives you access to insights. These are numbers and charts showing how people are finding your profile, what they’re clicking on, and if they’re calling you from the listing. Use this info to guide what part of your listing needs work. For example, if you notice more people coming from a city just outside your listed service area, it might be time to expand your radius.
Even something small like updating the job types listed in your business description can shift how your profile ranks. Treat it like your online storefront. It should reflect your roofing business as it really is today, not what it was when you first set it up.
Taking Full Advantage of Location Services
Location services go beyond just showing people where you are. When set up right, they help connect you with folks nearby who are actually looking to hire. If your radius is off or your address is missing, you might not show up at all, even for people living two streets over.
Think of an example. Say you’ve got a small roofing business based just outside a mid-sized city. You service the suburbs, the city itself, and a couple rural areas. But if your profile only lists your business address and doesn’t add these service zones, people in the city might never see your business pop up when they search. Someone else will get the call.
To make sure you’re visible:
– Use accurate and consistent geographic details across your site and profile.
– Avoid vague service areas like “within 50 miles” and name specific locations instead.
– Make updates when your service zones shift, even if it’s temporary.
The more trust Google has in your information, the easier it is to match your profile to homeowners looking for help nearby. It saves them time and lines you up with better leads, which is what everyone wants in the end.
Helping the Right People Find You at the Right Time
Getting found online doesn’t happen by accident—especially for roofers who rely on local jobs. A well-filled Google Business Profile with smart use of location services makes a big difference. When everything’s working, your phone rings and your jobs align with your service zones. When it’s not, you might be invisible to the people looking for the exact work you do.
Updating your business name, address, service areas, and contact info helps potential customers find you. Keeping up with changes builds trust with search engines and people who come across your listing. It doesn’t take a ton of time, but it does take consistency.
If your profile is active, your location info is current, and you’re keeping the lights on with updates and photos, you’re in a strong spot. Make sure to keep working on your listing just like you’d work on a roof—checking for gaps, fixing small issues, and making sure everything’s sealed tight.
By making sure your Google Business Profile is up-to-date and accurate, you’re setting your business up for success. But there’s always more to learn about enhancing your local presence and bringing in more leads. Learn how Roofing Lead Magnet can help improve your Google Business Profile and expand your visibility in the areas you serve. Start connecting with more potential customers in your community today.
