Words: Erik Bunaes
Building a strong digital presence can make all the difference for small businesses, especially those in commercial cleaning, on-site floor cleaning and disaster restoration. One of the most powerful tools you can use – aside from your website – is a Google Business Profile (GBP). Yet many new and small businesses overlook this simple step when trying to generate leads online, particularly through search engine results pages (SERPs).
A Google Business Profile is a free, verified listing that displays key details about your business – including your address, contact information, services, opening hours and customer reviews. It makes it much easier for local customers to find you, and just as importantly, trust you. A GBP also boosts your chances of showing up in local Google searches and on Google Maps, giving you a crucial advantage over competitors in your area.
Keeping your profile updated and detailed strengthens your visibility, attracts new customers, builds credibility, and drives more traffic to your physical location if you have one.
Reviews play a major role here as well. It’s now general practice for potential customers to scan reviews to quickly judge a business’s quality and reliability. A strong collection of up-to-date, positive reviews can dramatically improve your standing in search rankings. While reviews alone may not seal the deal, not having them could drive potential customers to keep looking elsewhere.
Getting to the top of the page
Businesses offering commercial cleaning, on-site floor care and disaster restoration are high-impact services that customers approach with caution. They will not simply choose the first company they see, but will research multiple providers prior to making a decision.
That is why it is critical to appear early on SERPs when someone enters phrases like “commercial cleaning near me”, “on-site floor cleaning near me” or “disaster restoration near me”. A well-maintained GBP filled with clear, complete information gives you the best chance of being found during this decision-making process.
How to optimise your GBP
If you want to get the most from your Google Business Profile, here are seven key steps to follow:
- Claim and verify your profile: First, make sure your business is listed and verified on Google, giving you full control over how your business appears.
- Complete all information accurately: Fill in every section – business name, address, phone number, website, services and operating hours. You might also create a special offer, like a free quote or free consultation, to encourage enquiries.
- Choose the right categories: Select the most relevant business categories to help Google match your profile with customer searches.
- Upload high-quality photos: Showcase professional images of your office, team, work and even marketing brochures to create a strong first impression.
- Encourage and respond to reviews: Share your review link with happy customers and ask for their feedback. Always respond thoughtfully to both positive and negative reviews – it shows you value customer experiences.
- Post regular updates: Use Google Posts to share company news, industry updates, promotions and special offers. Aim to post at least once a month to keep your profile active and engaging.
- Keep everything current: Update your profile promptly if your hours, services or contact details change.
A Google Business Profile is worth the effort
Setting up and maintaining your Google Business Profile can deliver serious benefits. It lifts your online visibility, attracts more local customers and strengthens your brand’s reputation. For small cleaning businesses wanting to grow in a competitive market, it is a tool you simply cannot afford to ignore.
You can create a GBP account here.
