What is a Google Business Profile and Why Trades Need One

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the listing Google shows when someone searches for your business by name, or when they search for a service in your area — like "plumber Bath" or "electrician Keynsham". It's the box that appears with your business name, address, phone number, opening hours, website link, photos and reviews. It's also what powers your presence on Google Maps.

If you've ever searched for a local business and seen a map with three results at the top, those three are Google Business Profiles. The businesses that show there have claimed and filled out their profile so Google can match them to the search.

Your profile can appear in the local map pack (the three businesses with a map on the main search results), on Google Maps when people search or browse by area, and in the "Knowledge Panel" when someone searches your business name. For trades in Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and North East Somerset, most new enquiries come from people searching "plumber near me", "electrician [town]" or similar — and those results are driven by GBP.

If your profile isn't claimed or is incomplete, Google has less to show. You might not appear in the map pack at all, or you might show with wrong or missing details. Either way, you lose visibility and trust.

When someone has a burst pipe, a power cut or a leaky roof, they search Google. They look at the map and the first few results. If you're not there — or your listing is blank or wrong — they call someone else. A complete, accurate GBP puts you in the running: right category (e.g. Plumber, Electrician), services listed, areas covered, photos, reviews and a clear way to call or visit your website.

Trades who rely only on word of mouth or repeat customers miss everyone who doesn't already know them. A GBP gets you in front of people when they're actively looking for your service in your area.

If you don't have a Google Business Profile, claim and verify yours (Google will send a postcard or you can verify by other methods). Fill in your business name, address, phone, website, hours, category, services and a short description. Add photos and ask happy customers for reviews. Keep everything consistent with your website.

If you're a trade in Bath and North East Somerset and want help setting up or optimising your GBP, we can do a free check and show you what to fix. We also include GBP setup and optimisation in our website and local SEO packages. Get in touch or see our Google Business Profile page below.