7 Google Business Profile Fixes That Can Double Calls for Your Home Service Business

When was the last time you searched for your own business on Google?

For most homeowners, the first thing they see isn’t your website. It’s your Google Business Profile (GBP). That little box with your name, reviews, phone number, and photos often decides whether they call you or scroll to the next business.

Here’s the problem: most home service businesses set up their GBP once and then forget about it. The listing ends up half-complete, outdated, or inactive. Meanwhile, competitors who keep theirs fresh show up higher in search results and get the calls you’re missing.

The good news? With just a handful of changes, you can turn your GBP into a lead-generating machine. Here are seven fixes that can put you ahead of 80% of your competition.

Why Google Business Profile Matters for Home Service Businesses

Think about how homeowners actually search. A mom in Naperville notices her AC isn’t cooling on a hot July afternoon. She grabs her phone, types “AC repair near me,” and calls the first company with solid reviews and clear contact info.

That’s where your Google Business Profile makes or breaks the deal.

• Over 60% of local searches turn into a phone call within 24 hours
• Your GBP is free, but most businesses don’t use it to its full potential
• Calls, directions, and website clicks often start here, not your homepage

If your profile is incomplete, Google is less likely to show it, especially when competitors in your area have fully optimized theirs.

The 7 Fixes You Can Make Right Now

1. Complete Every Field

Google favors detailed profiles. Homeowners do too. If they can’t find your hours or phone number, they’ll move on to the next contractor.

Make sure your profile has:

• Business name (exactly as it appears everywhere else)
• Address or service area
• Local phone number
• Website link
• Accurate business hours, including evenings or weekends if you take calls

One landscaping company in Rockford updated their listed hours from 9–5 to the 7 p.m. cutoff they actually worked. Within weeks, they started booking evening jobs that competitors were missing.

2. Choose the Right Categories

Categories act like keywords inside Google. If you choose only one broad category, you’ll miss out on searches for specific services.

Begin with your primary service, then add secondary categories that align with the jobs you aim to fill. For example:

• Primary: Roofing Contractor
• Secondary: Gutter Cleaning Service, Siding Contractor, Window Installation Service

Adding those secondary categories ensures you show up in more searches without stretching outside what you really do.

3. Upload Real Photos and Videos

Pictures build trust instantly. Stock photos often appear fake and can deter homeowners. Show the real faces, projects, and equipment that set you apart.

Strong visuals include:

• Before-and-after shots of completed jobs
• Team photos in branded uniforms
• Trucks and equipment with your logo
• Short video walk-throughs of finished projects

A roofing company in Peoria uploaded storm repair photos and saw their photo views triple in a month. Even better, customers started mentioning those photos when they called for estimates.

4. Post Weekly Updates

Think of GBP posts as quick check-ins. They tell both Google and homeowners that your business is active. Profiles with regular updates often get bumped higher in search results.

Good post ideas:

• Seasonal tips (like “How to get your deck ready for summer barbecues”)
• Limited-time offers or discounts
• Project spotlights with photos
• Quick how-to advice homeowners will find useful

A deck builder in Springfield began posting weekly job highlights. Within three months, they were ranking higher in local search results and had leads specifically mentioning seeing their posts.

5. Enable Messaging

Not everyone wants to call. Many customers, especially younger homeowners or people at work, would rather send a quick text. By enabling Google’s messaging feature, you capture those leads instead of losing them.

A cleaning service in Oak Brook acquired several new recurring customers within a month of activating its messaging system. Those customers said they wouldn’t have called during office hours but felt comfortable texting right from Google.

6. Collect and Respond to Reviews

Reviews are one of the strongest factors for local rankings and customer trust. A steady flow of new reviews makes you look active and reliable.

Make review requests part of your routine:

• Ask every happy customer immediately after the job
• Send a direct link by text or email so it’s easy
• Reply to all reviews, even short ones. It shows professionalism

One tree service in Aurora grew their reviews from 15 to 60 in less than a year by simply asking every customer.

Their rating jumped from 4.1 to 4.7, pushing them above larger competitors.

7. Track Insights and Adjust

Google provides free data on how people find your profile. Too many businesses ignore it.

Check these monthly:

• Search queries that led to your profile
• Number of calls, website clicks, and direction requests
• Which photos or posts got the most views

A fencing contractor noticed that “privacy fence installation” was the top search that brought in customers. They leveraged that service by adding more photos, posts, and a dedicated web page, which quickly led to more booked fence jobs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even minor errors can push potential customers away. The most common missteps we see are:

• Choosing the wrong primary category
• Using stock or low-quality photos
• Leaving outdated hours and missing calls
• Never posting updates or responding to reviews

Avoid these, and you’re already ahead of most local competitors.

Quick Checklist: 7 Google Business Profile Fixes

• Fill out every field (name, address, phone, website, hours, service areas)
• Pick the right primary and secondary categories
• Upload real photos and short videos of your work
• Post weekly updates with tips, offers, or project highlights
• Enable messaging so customers can text you directly
• Ask for reviews and respond to each one
• Track insights monthly and adjust your strategy

Action step: Pick one fix and do it today. Small changes can lead to big increases in calls.

Ready to Get More Calls?

Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression you make with homeowners. By completing these seven fixes, you’ll appear higher in search results, look more professional, and win more jobs.

You don’t need to fix everything overnight; start with one. Each improvement makes your profile stronger and more competitive.

If you’d like help optimizing your Google Business Profile for more calls and jobs, schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Kinyx Marketing. We’ll review your profile, identify quick wins, and show you how to turn it into a steady source of leads.