Why Your Google Map Listing is Your Most Valuable Salesperson
If you run a local business in Brisbane—whether you’re a sparky in Chermside or a lawyer in the CBD—your Google Business Profile (that little map listing that pops up when people search) is either making you money or costing you customers.
I’ve looked at hundreds of local accounts, and I can tell you that most business owners are leaving money on the table. They set up the profile once, forget about it, and then wonder why the bloke down the road is getting all the phone calls.
Data shows that businesses with a complete and active profile get roughly 5 times more views than those that are half-baked. In plain English: if you do this right, you get more enquiries without spending a cent on Google Ads. This is a core part of a solid local search strategy that actually moves the needle on your bank balance.
Step 1: Fix Your Name and Category (The Biggest Profit Killers)
Google is a bit of a stickler for rules. If your business is called "Smith & Co Plumbing," don't try to name your profile "BEST PLUMBER BRISBANE EMERGENCY 24/7." Google will eventually catch you and suspend your listing, which is a nightmare to fix.
However, you need to be surgical about your Primary Category. This is the single most important setting. If you’re a landscaper who also does fencing, but you make more money on landscaping, your primary category must be "Landscaper."
The Action Plan: 1. Log into your profile. 2. Check your primary category. Is it exactly what you want to be found for? 3. Add "Secondary Categories" for everything else you do. If you're a mechanic, add "Brake Shop," "Car Battery Dealer," and "Oil Change Service."
Step 2: Use Photos to Build Trust (And Prove You’re Real)
I see so many Brisbane businesses using stock photos of people shaking hands in an office that looks like it’s in New York. Locals can spot that rubbish a mile away. It feels fake, and it kills trust.
People want to see your van, your team in their uniforms, and the actual work you did at a house in Coorparoo.
The Data: Profiles with more than 100 photos get 520% more directions requests than the average business. You don't need a professional photographer. Your iPhone is fine.
What to upload this week: The Exterior: A photo of your shopfront or your branded van parked out front. This helps people know they’re in the right place. The Work: 10 photos of recent jobs. The Team: A photo of you and your staff. People buy from people, not logos.
Step 3: The Review Game (How to Win Without Begging)
Reviews are the digital equivalent of a backyard BBQ recommendation. But it’s not just about the star rating; it’s about the keywords people use in the reviews. If a customer writes, "Best blocked drain repair in North Lakes," Google sees that and thinks, "Right, these guys are experts at blocked drains in that area."
Most owners wait for reviews to happen. That’s a mistake. You need to get more calls by proactively asking every happy customer before you leave the job site.
The Pro Move: Don't just get reviews; reply to them. All of them. Even the bad ones. When you reply, you’re not just talking to that customer; you’re showing the next 500 people who read it that you give a damn.
Step 4: Services and Products (Your Virtual Showroom)
Google gives you a section to list your services. Most people leave this blank or write one-word descriptions. This is a massive waste of space.
Think of this as your menu. If you’re a hair salon, don't just list "Haircut." List "Men’s Style Cut," "Women’s Colour and Blow Dry," and "Bridal Styling." Include the price if you can. This helps guide customers to the exact service they need, which means the people who call you are already half-sold.
Step 5: Stop Treating it Like a Static Billboard
Google likes businesses that are "active." This means using the "Update" or "Post" feature.
You don’t need to be a social media influencer. Just once a week, post a photo of a job you finished or a quick tip. Example: "Just finished a switchboard upgrade for a family in Ascot. Stay safe this storm season!"
- Why it works: It shows Google you are still in business and currently working in specific Brisbane suburbs.
What’s a Waste of Money?
I’ll be honest with you—there are plenty of "experts" who will charge you $500 a month just to "manage" your Google listing. For most small businesses, that’s a rip-off.
You don't need to pay someone to post generic "Happy Monday" graphics. That does nothing for your bottom line. You also shouldn't pay for "fake reviews." Google is getting incredibly smart at spotting these, and when they catch you, they’ll delete your listing entirely. Losing your Google map presence is like your business disappearing from the phone book and the street corner at the same time.
How Long Until You See Results?
If you spend two hours this Saturday morning fixing your categories, adding 20 photos, and filling out your services, you will usually see an uptick in "Discovery" searches within 2 to 4 weeks.
You’ll notice it in your monthly Google report. Look for "Calls" and "Directions." If those numbers are going up, you’re winning.
Your 3-Step To-Do List for Monday Morning
1. Check your hours: Make sure your opening hours are 100% accurate. If you say you’re open until 5 PM but you stop taking calls at 4:30 PM, you’re going to get a 1-star review from a frustrated local. 2. Add 5 real photos: Not stock photos. Real ones of your business in action. 3. Request 3 reviews: Text your last three happy clients a direct link to your Google review page.
Need a Hand Getting it Right?
Look, I know you’re busy running a business. You’re on the tools, you’re quoting jobs, and you’re managing staff. Sometimes, you just want someone to handle the digital side so you can focus on the work that actually pays the bills.
At Local Marketing Group, we don't do fluff. We focus on the settings and strategies that actually make your phone ring. We’ve helped dozens of Brisbane businesses take the top spot on the map, and we can do the same for you.
Ready to get more enquiries? Contact Local Marketing Group today and let’s get your business in front of the people who are looking for you.