3 Google Business Profile Settings Home Service Pros Often Get Wrong (And How to Fix Them)

At a Glance


  1. Log in to Google Business Profile
  2. Open Settings in the dashboard
  3. Set Service Areas to targeted cities
  4. Choose the best-fit primary category
  5. Add all relevant services offered
  6. Upload high-quality photos of your work
  7. Save changes & check profile completeness

Key Points to Consider


Objective


Google Business Profile (GBP) is like your business’s digital storefront in Google Search and Maps. When set up correctly, it can put you in front of homeowners the moment they search for your service. But for many Home Service Pros, there are three GBP settings that are tricky to get right—especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Get these wrong, and you could be invisible in local search..



1. Setting Your Service Area Without Showing Your Home Address


If you work from home or don’t have a storefront, showing your home address publicly isn’t necessary—and can be a privacy risk. Instead, Google allows you to define your service area.


Why It Matters:
Google uses this to decide when and where to show your listing. If it’s too broad, you won’t rank well. If it’s too narrow, you’ll miss jobs.


Pro Tip:

  • Hide your home address in GBP settings
  • Set realistic service boundaries (usually up to 20 miles from your base)
  • List the specific cities or ZIP codes you serve for better targeting





2. Choosing the Right Primary & Secondary Categories


Your primary category is the #1 factor in local ranking relevance. For example, “Garage Door Repair Service” and “Garage Door Supplier” will return completely different results.


Why It Matters:
If your main category is wrong, Google won’t connect you with the right searches. Secondary categories help expand reach for related services.


Pro Tip:

  • Use a category that matches your most profitable service
  • Add 2–4 secondary categories for related work
  • Review categories quarterly as your services evolve




3. Filling Out Your Service List with Search-Friendly Details


GBP lets you add a service menu—a list of what you offer with descriptions and optional pricing. This helps Google match your profile to more specific searches (e.g., “emergency water heater repair” instead of just “plumber”).


Why It Matters:

A complete and keyword-rich service list increases your chances of showing up for long-tail, high-intent searches.


Pro Tip:

  • Add every major service you provide (no matter how small)
  • Write a short, clear description for each service
  • Include service keywords naturally to improve discoverability






Cautionary Notes


  • Don’t keyword stuff – Adding too many keywords in your business name or description can trigger Google suspensions or lower trust with potential customers.
  • Stay consistent – Mismatched business names, addresses, or phone numbers across your website, Google Business Profile, and other directories can hurt your local search rankings.

Boost your business with high-quality leads! Optimize your online presence and attract more clients today.

+ Get More Leads Today

Tips For Effective Results


  • Update regularly – Keep hours, services, and photos fresh.
  • Use high-quality images – Showcase your best work to attract clicks.
  • Respond to reviews – Build trust and improve local rankings.


Being Found

Boost your visibility to attract more clients and get more leads by ensuring your business is easily found online with AI & SEO.

Being Chosen

Get chosen with your good reviews! Optimize your ads to stand out, capture clicks, and convert online visits into leads & customers.

Being Remembered

Stay top-of-mind with past customers! Use emails, QR codes, and SMS to remind them of your services and drive repeat business.

Your Website

Your business needs more than word of mouth to thrive. Get found, chosen, and remembered with your own optimized lead generation website.