Categories
The primary category tells Google what you are. I compare the categories used by businesses ranking in your area and pick the most specific one that is true for you.
Google Business Profile optimization
Google Business Profile optimization is the process of setting up and maintaining your free Google listing so it competes in Google Maps and the local pack. I fix categories, services, service areas, photos and review handling, then keep the profile current as Google changes its features.
What is Google Business Profile optimization?
Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, is the listing that shows your name, rating, hours, photos and call button in Google Search and Maps. For many "near me" searches it is the first thing a customer sees, before your website.
Optimization means every field is accurate, complete and chosen to match what you actually do. Google's own guidelines say the information must represent your real business, so the work is about precision, not keyword stuffing. A business name packed with keywords can get a profile suspended.
What's included
- Primary and secondary category research against nearby competitors
- Services and products added with clear descriptions
- Service areas or address set up correctly for your business type
- Business description written for customers, within the 750-character limit
- Photo plan: exterior, team, work and vehicles where relevant
- Review request process and reply templates you can reuse
- Q&A seeded with real customer questions
- Monitoring for suggested edits, spam listings and duplicates
What I work on inside your profile
Services and areas
Services help Google match you to longer searches. Service areas tell it where you work. Both need to match the services and areas on your website.
Reviews
Review count, recency and your replies all matter to customers and to prominence. I set up a simple way to ask every happy customer, and a tone for replies, including to negative reviews.
Ongoing activity
Photos, posts and updated hours show the profile is maintained. I build a monthly rhythm that takes you a few minutes, or I handle it.
How it works
Each step has a realistic timing. Larger sites and competitive markets take longer.
-
1
Profile audit
Every field checked against Google's guidelines and three to five competitors ranking near you.
Week 1 -
2
Fixes and rewrite
Categories, services, description, areas and attributes corrected.
Week 1 to 2 -
3
Review system
Request link, message templates and reply guidelines set up for your team.
Week 2 -
4
Photos and posts
A photo plan and the first posts published.
Weeks 2 to 4 -
5
Monthly care
New posts, review replies, edit monitoring and a short report.
Every month
Signs you need this
- You show up in Maps for your business name but not for your service
- Competitors with fewer reviews appear above you
- Your profile shows old hours, an old phone number or a wrong category
- You have not replied to reviews in months
- Someone else has edited your profile, or a duplicate listing exists
What affects the cost
The cost depends on how much needs fixing and whether you want one-time setup or monthly management. A verified profile with minor gaps takes far less work than a suspended or duplicate listing. Factors that change the scope:
- Whether the profile is verified, suspended or duplicated
- Number of locations or service areas
- How many services you offer
- Whether you need photos sourced or taken
- One-time optimization or ongoing monthly management
You get a fixed quote after a short call. No surprise extras.
Not sure which service you need? Start with a free call and I'll tell you what I'd fix first.
Doing it yourself vs. having it managed
| Do it yourself | Managed by me | |
|---|---|---|
| Category research | Guesswork from the dropdown | Checked against who ranks near you |
| Review requests | When you remember | A repeatable system for every job |
| Spam and edits | Often unnoticed | Checked every month |
| Time per month | Several hours to learn and maintain | A few minutes of your input |
Why work with me
I'm an independent consultant, so the standards below are mine, in writing, for every client.
- You talk to me directlyThe person planning your SEO is the person you message. No account managers.
- Month one in writingYou see exactly what happens first, and why, before ongoing work starts.
- Plain-language reportsWhat changed, what it means for leads and what's next, every month.
- Your accounts stay yoursGoogle Business Profile, Analytics, Search Console and content stay in your name.
- No ranking guaranteesNobody controls Google. I commit to the work and honest reporting.
Frequently asked questions
The primary category usually has the biggest effect on which searches you appear for. After that come reviews, accurate services and areas, and your proximity to the searcher. Choose the most specific primary category that truly describes your main service.
No. Google's guidelines require your real business name as used on your signage and documents. Adding keywords or cities can trigger a suspension and lets competitors report you. If your real legal name includes a service word, that is allowed.
Once or twice a month is a practical rhythm for most local businesses. Posts show the profile is active and give customers fresh reasons to call. There is no proven ranking boost from posting daily, so consistency matters more than volume.
Common causes are keyword stuffing in the name, a virtual office or PO box address, or several listings for one business. A suspension is fixed by correcting the issue and submitting a reinstatement request with proof, such as a business licence or a utility bill.
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