GoogleBusinessProfileforTrades:Setup→First25Reviews(Cochrane)

01Who This Guide Is For

You run a trades business in Cochrane—plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, or landscaping/snow. You want your Google Business Profile (GBP) to show up in local searches, look trustworthy, and bring in calls and quote requests.

This guide walks you through everything: from initial setup to getting your first 25 reviews, plus how to track what's actually working.

By the end, you'll have:

• Your profile set up correctly as a Service-Area Business (SAB)—meaning you travel to customers instead of having a storefront
• A fast verification plan (including video tips that work)
• A photo and Google Posts game plan that builds trust with buyers
• A review engine with templates and QR codes to hit 25 reviews fast—the policy-safe way
• A tracking playbook to measure website clicks and call-taps each month

If you want the website side handled too, our Cochrane trade website services connect your site to convert the traffic GBP sends.

02Quick Wins (TL;DR)

Here's the short version:

• Profile setup: Register as a Service-Area Business, hide your home address, pick one primary category
• Verification: Video is fastest—show your vehicle, tools, and a Cochrane landmark
• Photos: Upload your logo, cover image, job photos, and team shots
• Posts: Share updates weekly during your busy season
• Reviews: Send your review link/QR to every customer (no incentives allowed)—aim for 25
• Tracking: Add a UTM code to your website link, then track call-taps and form submissions

That's the checklist. Now here's exactly how to do each step.

03Set Up Your Profile the Right Way

If you travel to customers instead of having them come to you, you're a Service-Area Business (SAB). Here's how to set yours up correctly.

The short answer: Hide your home address. Set Cochrane (plus any areas you actually serve) as your service area. Add a local phone number you control. Link to your website.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Claim your profile. Search your business name in Google. If you see "Own this business?"—click it and claim it.

2. Enter your exact business name. Use your real name. No keyword stuffing (that's when you add extra keywords like "Best Cochrane Plumber" to game rankings—Google penalizes this).

3. Pick one primary category. Choose the best match:

   • Plumber · HVAC contractor · Electrician · Roofing contractor · Landscaper · Snow removal service
   • You can add 1–2 secondary categories later—don't overdo it.

4. Set your service area. Select Cochrane and any nearby places you actually work in. You don't need to set a radius.

5. Hide your address. For SABs, don't display a home address. Google lets you serve an area without showing where you live.

6. Add your phone number. Use a number you control and can answer. If you use call tracking, keep it stable—and add your main line as a backup in settings.

7. Link your website. Paste your homepage or a strong local landing page.

8. Set your hours. Be realistic. Add seasonal adjustments (like extended hours during storms).

9. List your services. Add what you actually do—in plain English. Think "drain cleaning" and "emergency repair," not industry jargon.

Pro tip: After setup, search your business on Google Maps from your phone. Check how it looks. Fix anything confusing before moving on.

04Verify Your Business Fast

Most Cochrane trades can verify by video if mail or phone options aren't available. Here's how to do it right.

For video verification:

• Show your branded vehicle, tools, or equipment
• Show paperwork or dashboard access proving you manage the business
• Show a Cochrane landmark or street sign to confirm your location

Video tips: Record in good light. Speak clearly. Follow Google's prompts exactly.

If video isn't available: Complete whatever method Google offers—postcard, phone call, or email. Just get it done.

05Photos and Posts That Build Trust

People hire businesses they trust. Your photos and updates tell that story before you ever answer the phone.

What to Upload First

• Logo (square) and cover photo (landscape)—make sure they're sharp and professional
• On-the-job photos from recent Cochrane work (before/after shots work great)
• Team and vehicle shots—a clean branded truck in Riversong or Fireside is subtle local proof
• Project detail photos—panel labeling, a tidy furnace install, clean re-roof edges, organized snow haul piles, fresh mulch beds

How Often to Post

Post weekly during your busy season. Match your posts to what customers are thinking about:

| Season | Post Ideas | |--------|------------| | Winter | Storm watch updates, during-storm photos, cleanup reminders | | Spring | Spring clean-up, aeration, sprinkler start-ups | | Summer | AC tune-ups, panel upgrades, roof inspections | | Fall | Sprinkler blowouts, leaf clean-ups, furnace checks |

Keep posts short. Use 1–2 photos. Include a clear action button ("Call" or "Learn more").

Link to your seasonal landing page with tracking (we'll cover that in the tracking section).

Add Neighbourhood Proof (Subtly)

Caption a few photos with specific locations:

• "Re-roof completed in Sunset Ridge—2-day turnaround"
• "Emergency drain in Bow Meadows at 6:10 a.m."

This builds local trust without stuffing keywords.

06Get Your First 25 Reviews (The Policy-Safe Way)

You won't get reviews unless you ask. The target is 25 reviews—at that level, you start competing credibly against other trades in local search.

Step 1: Create Your Review Link and QR Code

Go to Reviews → Get more reviews inside your Google Business Profile. Copy the share link. Many tools also let you download a QR code—print it on job cards and invoices.

Step 2: Ask the Same Day You Finish the Job

The best time to ask is right after you complete the work. Here are templates that work:

SMS (keep it short):

"

Thanks for choosing us in Heartland today. If we earned it, a quick Google review helps local homeowners find us: [your review link] — [Your First Name]

Email (a bit more detail):

Subject: Quick favour from your Cochrane [Trade]

Body: Thank the customer. Mention the job ("no-heat call"). Paste your review link. Sign with your name and phone.

In person: Hand them a thank-you card with your QR code. Point to it and say: "This helps us a ton."

Grab the Review Request Templates (PDF) — Copy-paste SMS and email scripts, ready to use.

Step 3: Follow the Rules (Don't Risk Your Profile)

• No incentives. No discounts, gift cards, or contest entries in exchange for reviews. Google bans this.
• Ask everyone. Don't "gate" reviews—that means only asking customers you think will leave positive feedback. Google forbids this too.
• Quote their words, not yours. If you use reviews on your website, keep the original wording. Use initials and neighbourhood for attribution.

Step 4: Reply to Every Single Review

• Positive reviews: Thank them by first name. Mention the service and neighbourhood.
• Negative reviews: Apologize for the miss. Explain what you did to fix it. Offer a direct line to resolve any remaining issues. Stay calm and specific.

Step 5: Hit 25 in 3–4 Weeks

If you finish 10–15 jobs per week and ask every time, 25 reviews in a month is realistic.

Pro tip: Every Friday, message any customers you missed during the week with your review link.

07Track Clicks and Calls

Google removed call history from your Business Profile dashboard. That means you need to track on your own website instead.

Add a UTM to Your Website Link

A UTM is a small code you add to a link so you can track where visitors came from.

When you paste your website into GBP, add tracking like this:

https://yoursite.com?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-profile

Now every click from your profile shows up in your analytics under "gbp-profile."

Track Phone Taps and Form Actions

Ask your web team (or us) to track these events:

| Event | What It Measures | |-------|------------------| | call_click | Mobile users tapping your phone number | | cta_click | Clicks on your main button (like "Start My Project") | | form_start | Visitors who begin filling out your quote form | | form_submit | Visitors who actually submit the form |

This tells you whether GBP traffic is turning into real conversations.

What to Check Monthly

Review these three things every month:

1. GBP Performance: Views, website clicks, direction requests
2. Analytics: Sessions from utm_campaign=gbp-profile; call_click and form_submit counts
3. Reviews: Total count, reviews in last 90 days, average reply time

08What Actually Improves Your Ranking

Three things drive local visibility:

1. Relevance — Does your category and services match what people are searching for? Keep categories specific and services complete.

2. Distance — How close are you to the searcher or the area they searched? You can't fake this. Be honest about the areas you actually serve.

3. Prominence — Does your profile show signs that people trust you? Reviews, photos, fresh updates, responses, and brand mentions all count. Post and update regularly.

The bottom line: There are no tricks. A clean, complete profile with steady reviews and regular activity wins over time.

09Complete Your Profile: Q&A, Services, and Attributes

These final details make your profile feel complete and helpful.

Add Common Questions to Q&A

In your profile's Q&A section, add the questions customers actually ask you:

• Do you serve GlenEagles and Riversong?
• Do you do after-hours calls?
• Do you offer emergency snow removal?

Answer like a real person—short, useful, and clear.

List Your Services in Plain English

Add services customers will actually search for:

| Trade | Services to Add | |-------|-----------------| | Plumber | Drain cleaning, water heater install, leak repair, emergency plumber | | HVAC | Furnace install/repair, AC install/repair, no-heat emergency | | Electrician | Panel upgrades, EV charger install, troubleshooting, 24/7 electrician | | Roofer | Re-roof, roof repair, storm damage | | Landscaping/Snow | Spring clean-up, lawn aeration, sprinkler blowout, snow removal, ice control, snow hauling |

Set Honest Attributes

For Service-Area Businesses, "On-site services" makes sense. Keep your attribute list honest—only check what's actually true.

10Your 30-Day Action Plan

Download the 30-Day GBP Calendar (PDF) — Print it for your office wall or share with your team.

Follow this calendar to hit 25 reviews in your first month.

Week 1: Setup and Launch

• [ ] Finish profile setup and verification
• [ ] Upload logo, cover photo, and 6–12 quality job photos
• [ ] Write and publish your first Post
• [ ] Generate your review link and QR code
• [ ] Train field staff to point customers to the QR at checkout

Week 2: Start Asking

• [ ] Ask every completed job for a review (SMS + email)
• [ ] Reply to all reviews within 48 hours
• [ ] Post once (e.g., "Storm watch" or "Spring clean-ups open")

Week 3: Build Momentum

• [ ] Add a before/after photo set with neighbourhood captions
• [ ] Post a seasonal mini-offer (limited slots, realistic)
• [ ] Friday follow-up: message any customers you missed

Week 4: Cross the Finish Line

• [ ] Keep asking—every job, every time
• [ ] Review analytics for gbp-profile traffic and call_click events
• [ ] Celebrate hitting 25 reviews (and keep going—fresh reviews matter)

11Owner Checklist (Printable)

Download the GBP Owner Checklist (PDF) — Print it, check it off, done.

• [ ] Claimed and verified as Service-Area Business (no home address shown)
• [ ] Primary category correct; 1–2 secondary categories added
• [ ] Cochrane + real service areas listed
• [ ] Hours accurate (and seasonal)
• [ ] Logo, cover, and recent job photos uploaded
• [ ] Two short Posts live (this month)
• [ ] Review link/QR created and used in SMS, email, and cards
• [ ] Review replies within 48 hours
• [ ] Website link uses UTM=gbp-profile
• [ ] Site tracks call_click, form_start, form_submit

12Keep Reading

• Website conversions: Short quote form + auto-emails + lead logging
• Speed & UX: Keep pages fast on phones (Core Web Vitals)
• HVAC websites: Build trust with Cochrane homeowners on your HVAC site
• Seasonal pages: Flip your site between landscaping and snow removal
• Trade web design hub: Complete guides for Cochrane trade websites
• Full stack: Cochrane trade website services