The Google Business Profile checklist we use for every local client

For local businesses, your Google profile is often seen more than your website. Here’s the weekly routine that keeps it in the map pack.

When someone searches "salon near me" or "HVAC repair Winnipeg", Google shows three businesses on a map before any website. Those three get most of the calls. Your Google Business Profile decides whether you're one of them.

The one-time setup

• Primary category: pick the most specific one that matches your main service. This matters more than almost anything else.
• Secondary categories: add the other services you genuinely offer.
• Services and products: list each one with a short description.
• Service area and hours: accurate, including holiday hours.
• Name, address, phone: exactly the same as on your website and directories.
• Duplicates: find and resolve duplicate or conflicting listings at the same address.

The weekly routine

Google rewards active profiles. Every week we:

• Publish at least one Google post — an offer, a service highlight or an update.
• Add fresh photos: work, team, premises, products.
• Reply to every new review, positive or negative, professionally.
• Answer or seed common questions in the Q&A section.
• Check for edits Google or the public have suggested to your listing.

Reviews: quantity, freshness, replies

Make it easy for happy customers to leave a review — a QR code at the counter or a link sent on WhatsApp after the visit. Never buy or fake reviews; Google removes them and can suspend the profile.

Track what matters

Views are nice, but calls, direction requests and website clicks are what matter. Check them monthly and compare to the same month last year to account for seasonality.

We run this routine every week for clients across Ontario, Manitoba and Punjab. If your profile isn't bringing in calls, we're happy to take a look.