As a trades professional in Vancouver, your hands-on skills are your bread and butter. You build, repair, install, and maintain. But in today’s digital landscape, the tools of your trade extend far beyond wrenches and saws – they now include powerful online platforms that connect you directly with customers. And when it comes to local leads, no tool is more potent than your Google Business Profile (GBP).
You might have known it as Google My Business (GMB), but regardless of the name, this free tool from Google is nothing short of a secret weapon for plumbers, electricians, landscapers, HVAC technicians, and other service businesses in Vancouver. It’s where nearly everyone starts their search for local services.
At Silver6 Marketing, we see countless trades businesses underutilizing this powerhouse. Let’s uncover why your GBP is your most important digital asset for attracting local leads and how to unlock its full potential.
Think about it: when someone in Kitsilano needs an emergency plumber, or a homeowner in Richmond wants a quote for a new roof, where do they usually go first? They pull out their phone and search on Google. Your GBP is what shows up in those crucial moments.
Massive Local Visibility: According to studies, a whopping 46% of all Google searches include a local intent. That means nearly half of all searches are people looking for something nearby!
The “Local Pack” Advantage: An optimized GBP is your ticket to appearing in the “Local Pack” – the coveted top 3 business listings on Google Maps that show up prominently in Google Search results. 45% of usersinteract with this map pack.
Direct Customer Connection: Your GBP lets customers call you directly, visit your website, get directions, or even message you, all from one central listing. This convenience directly translates to leads. In fact, 5% of all Google Business Profile views result in a conversion, and 16% of businesses get more than 100 calls a month from GBP alone!
Having a GBP is one thing; optimizing it to be a lead-generating machine is another. Here’s your actionable checklist:
This is fundamental. A complete profile builds trust and gives Google more information to rank you accurately.
Accurate NAP+W: Ensure your Name, Address, Phone number, and Website URL are exactly consistent across your GBP, website, and all other online directories. Even slight variations can confuse Google.
Precise Categories: Choose the most accurate primary category for your core service (e.g., “Plumber,” “Electrician”). Then add all relevant secondary categories. This is a critical ranking factor.
Detailed Hours of Operation: Include your regular hours, as well as any special holiday hours. 64% of usersrely on GBP for up-to-date business information.
Service Areas Defined: For trades, clearly defining the Vancouver neighbourhoods and surrounding municipalities you serve (e.g., Burnaby, North Vancouver, Richmond) tells Google precisely where to show your business.
Compelling Business Description: Write a concise, keyword-rich description of your services, what makes you unique, and how you help local customers.
Visuals are incredibly powerful, especially for trades. Don’t just rely on your website gallery.
Upload Regularly: Add new photos of your completed projects (before & afters are fantastic!), your team in action, your branded vehicles, and your professional equipment.
Optimize for Local: Use original, high-quality photos taken in the Vancouver area. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more click-throughs to their websites!
Categorize Your Photos: Utilize GBP’s categories for photos (e.g., “Exterior,” “Interior,” “At Work,” “Team”).
Add a Cover Photo & Logo: These are key branding elements.
Why it’s critical: High-quality, diverse photos make your listing more engaging, build trust, and signal to Google that your business is active and authentic.
Reviews are your digital word-of-mouth. They build immense trust and heavily influence your local search ranking.
Actively Ask for Reviews: Don’t be shy! After a successful job, politely ask satisfied customers to leave a Google review. Provide them with a direct link (you can get this from your GBP dashboard). 68% of customers leave a Google review when asked.
Respond to All Reviews (Good & Bad): Thank customers for positive reviews. For negative reviews, respond professionally, empathetically, and offer a solution offline. Businesses that respond to reviews are seen as 1.7x more trustworthy.
Encourage Rich Reviews: Reviews with photos or detailed descriptions are more valuable to both potential customers and Google.
Consistency is Key: Aim for a steady stream of new reviews, not just a burst. 73% of consumers only trust reviews written in the last month.
Why it’s critical: 88% of customers read Google reviews before engaging with a local business. More positive reviews mean higher trust and better local search rankings.
These features allow you to share timely updates and engage directly with potential customers.
Publish Google Posts Regularly: Think of these as mini-blog posts or social media updates directly on your GBP. Share special offers, completed projects, company news, and service updates.
Answer Questions in Q&A: Monitor the Q&A section of your profile and answer questions promptly and accurately. You can even pre-populate FAQs.
Add Your Services List: Use the “Services” section of your GBP to list all the specific services you offer, complete with descriptions. This helps you appear for long-tail search queries.
Why it’s critical: These features keep your profile active, show Google you’re engaged, and provide valuable, up-to-date information to potential customers.
"In today's digital landscape, the tools of your trade extend far beyond wrenches and saws – they now include powerful online platforms that connect you directly with customers. And when it comes to local leads, no tool is more potent than your Google Business Profile (GBP)."