Google Business Profile Optimization: Dominate the Map Pack

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business or GMB) is your free business listing on Google. It's what shows up when someone searches for your business name or searches "plumber near me" and sees the Map Pack (the top 3 businesses with map pins).

Your GBP controls:

• • Your position in the Map Pack (the top 3 local results)
• • Your Knowledge Panel (the box on the right side of search results)
• • Your Google Maps listing
• • Your reviews, photos, and business information displayed to searchers

For contractors, GBP is the #1 source of new leads. When optimized correctly, it generates 20-50 calls per month from high-intent searchers who are ready to book a job today.

If you serve multiple cities or have multiple locations, you need a multi-location GBP strategy. Here's what works:

Option 1: Service Area Business (SAB)

If you're a mobile contractor (no physical storefront customers visit), use a Service Area Business profile:

• • Hide your street address (only show city)
• • List up to 20 cities/zip codes you serve
• • Create one GBP per physical location (if you have multiple offices)

Option 2: Multiple Locations (Same Company)

If you have multiple physical locations, create one GBP per location:

• • Each location must have a unique address
• • Each location must have a unique phone number (or use call tracking)
• • Each location must have unique photos and content
• • Link to location-specific pages on your website (e.g., /fresno-location, /clovis-location)

Can You Have Multiple GBPs at the Same Address?

Generally, no. Google's guidelines prohibit multiple businesses at the same address unless they're distinct legal entities with separate signage, staff, and entrances. However, there are exceptions (e.g., a plumbing company and an HVAC company owned by the same parent company).

GBP Posts are short updates (like social media posts) that appear on your GBP listing. Google rewards active profiles, so posting weekly can boost your rankings by 10-15 positions.

What to Post (Post Once Per Week)

• Recent Jobs: "Just completed a furnace replacement in Fresno. Call us for your HVAC needs!"
• Seasonal Tips: "3 signs your AC needs maintenance before summer hits"
• Promotions: "$50 off water heater installations this month"
• Community Involvement: "Proud sponsor of the Fresno Little League"

GBP Post Best Practices

• • Keep posts under 300 words (shorter is better)
• • Include a photo (posts with photos get 2x more engagement)
• • Add a call-to-action button ("Call Now," "Book Now," "Learn More")
• • Use keywords naturally (e.g., "emergency plumber," "HVAC repair")
• • Post on the same day each week (consistency matters)

You can't improve what you don't measure. Here's how to track GBP performance:

1. GBP Insights (Built-In Analytics)

Google provides basic analytics in your GBP dashboard:

• • Search queries: What keywords people use to find you
• • Views: How many people saw your listing
• • Actions: Calls, direction requests, website clicks
• • Photo views: How many people viewed your photos

2. Call Tracking

Use call tracking to measure phone calls from GBP:

• • Use a unique phone number on your GBP listing
• • Track calls by source (Google Search, Google Maps, GBP listing)
• • Measure call duration, conversion rate, and ROI

3. UTM Parameters (Track Website Clicks)

Add UTM parameters to your GBP website URL to track clicks in Google Analytics:

https://yourwebsite.com?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp