Google My Business for Plumbers & Gas Engineers

At VIVA Training Academy we understand the importance of marketing your new found skills, especially during the current climate and COVID-19 and wanted to provide some tips on managing your business on Google My Business.

Google is becoming the new home page for users that are looking for plumbers or gas engineers, so its vital that you present your business in the best possible light on your Google My Business page.

Google My Business Tips

If you have ignored your Google My Business page, now is the time to log into your GMB account and get it up to speed.

Your Business Details

Make sure all your business details are correct. If you have not logged in for a while you will probably notice there are some new items that you can take advantage of.

Google My Business Page for Plumbers and Gas Engineers - Information Page - VIVA Training Academy

Info Section:

1. Service Areas

If you are a service area business (go to customers) make sure you have correctly selected the areas you serve. Don’t be tempted to over select areas, select the areas you actually serve.

2. Hours

Your hours have probably not changed during COVID-19, but if they have you can add in special hours.

3. Tel Number

Is telephone number correct and do you have a secondary number you can add – Office or Mobile ?

4. Links

Is your website link correct and do you have a booking page / appointment link page that you can also add for customers.

5. Products

Products may not yet be available in your dashboard. If they are this is a great place to add products, NOT Services there is a section for this. Products would be if you sell boilers etc. Products are also displayed in your business knowledge panel when people view your business.

6. Services

This is where you can list your different services offered.

7. Attributes

Depending on how aged your business is, there may not be any to select – select any that have become available and applicable to your business – Online bookings, emergency calls etc

8. Business Description

Add in a description of your business and service. Try and include your main area of service too.

Eg: XYZ Plumbing and Heating in Peterborough offers ….

9. Short Name

Its worth selecting your short name because this will provide you a link that you can share with customers, especially when asking for a review.

Your Photos

Have a quick check on your current images and update if necessary.

Make sure you have your Logo and Cover image added – Branding is important.

Profile Photo: 250 x 250px

Cover Photo: 1080 x 608px

Do you have any additional images to add, the team, work you have completed – make sure they are quality images that reflect your brand and standards.

Google Posts

I already post onto Facebook, do I need to use these also?

The answer is Yes – Google Posts are displayed in your business profile and visible in Google Search

Google Posts for Plumbers and Heating Engineers - VIVA Training Academy

The first post your should be completing is your COVID-19 Update – This is displayed prominently in search results for customers to see how you are operating at this time to protect them when entering their home or business.

Provide information on your current practices to keep them safe.

Post Images: 800 v 600 px seems to work very well for post images.

Your Google Posts stay live for 7 Days – Ideas for posts are service related updates, recent jobs completed etc

You can also post offers which stay visible based on the date allocated.

Reviews

As mentioned above, when you apply a short name you will now have a short link that you can include in emails to ask customers for reviews.

You should also be replying to customer reviews, good and bad alike – remain polite and professional.