When someone searches for a plumber, a cleaner, a physio, or almost any local service in Ireland, the first results they see are not websites. They are Google Business Profile listings.
Your profile appears in Google Maps results and in the local pack at the top of search results. It shows your name, rating, photos, hours, and a button to call or visit your website. For local services, this is prime real estate.
And most businesses are wasting it.
What a neglected profile looks like
- Photos from three years ago or none at all
- Business hours that have not been updated since COVID
- Zero responses to reviews
- A description that was written once and never touched
- No posts in over a year
This is the default for most service businesses. It signals neglect, and prospects notice.
What an optimised profile looks like
Photos
Upload at least 10 current photos. Show your team, your vehicles, your work, and your premises if applicable. Profiles with more photos receive significantly more clicks. Update them regularly. Google rewards freshness.
Reviews
Respond to every review within 24 hours. For positive reviews, thank the customer and reference something specific. For negative reviews, acknowledge the issue and invite them to contact you directly. Your response is public. Prospects are reading it.
Posts
Google lets you post updates directly to your profile. Use this weekly. Share a completed job, a tip, a seasonal offer. Posts appear in your profile and can show up in local search results.
Description
Your business description should include your primary service, your location, and one or two things that differentiate you. 150 to 250 words is ideal. Include the keywords your customers search for naturally.
Services and products
Many businesses leave this section empty. Fill it in completely. List every service you offer with descriptions. This feeds Google's understanding of what you do and what searches you should appear for.
The local SEO connection
Your Google Business Profile is the single most important factor in local search rankings. More than your website. More than backlinks. A fully optimised, regularly updated profile consistently outranks competitors with neglected ones.
We fix and optimise Google Business Profiles as part of our Get Found on Google service. Most clients see movement in local rankings within 72 hours of optimisation.
The traffic is already there. People in your area are already searching for what you do. The question is whether they find you or your competitor.