Step 1: Create or claim your profile
Go to Google Business Profile and search for your business name. If a profile already exists, claim it. If not, create one. Use the business name on your contractor license, not a name stuffed with keywords. Google will ask you to verify that you run the business before your profile goes live.
Step 2: Choose service-area business
Google separates businesses into storefronts, service-area businesses and hybrids. A service-area business visits or delivers to customers but doesn't serve them at its address. That's most contractors.
Google's guidance is direct: if you don't serve customers at your business address, remove the address from your profile. You still give Google a real address for verification; it just isn't shown. A hybrid business, one that has a staffed location customers visit and also travels to customers, can keep its address visible.
Step 3: Set your service areas
- Use cities, ZIP codes or other areas. Google doesn't let you set a radius around your business.
- Up to 20 areas.
- Stay within about two hours' drive of where your business is based, per Google's guidelines.
- Be specific and accurate. List the places you actually take jobs.
Changes to your service area can take up to 48 hours to show on your profile.
Step 4: Fill in the rest
- Category. Pick the one that best describes your trade, such as Plumber, Electrician or Roofing contractor.
- Phone number that you or your office actually answers.
- Hours, including whether you take emergency calls.
- Website. Link to your own site, where homeowners can see your projects, services and license.
- Description. Say what you do and where, and include your CSLB license number. California's advertising rules cover online posts that solicit business, so it belongs here too.
- Photos of your real work, your truck and your team.
Step 5: Keep it active
Ask happy customers for reviews and reply to the ones you get. Never offer anything in exchange for a review or write reviews yourself. Update your hours for holidays and add new project photos as you finish jobs.
Why your website and profile work together
Your Business Profile is where many homeowners first see you in Google Search and Maps. Your website is where they go to decide: it has room for every service, full project galleries, your story and a quote form. A profile that links to a clear website, with the same name, phone number and license number on both, gives homeowners a consistent picture of your business.
Questions people ask
Can I use my home address?
Yes, for verification. If customers don't come to your home, Google says to hide the address so your profile shows only your service area.
Can I use a P.O. box or a virtual office?
No. Google's guidelines don't accept P.O. boxes or virtual offices as a business location.
Can I list every city in California?
No. Google allows up to 20 service areas and says your overall area shouldn't extend beyond about two hours of driving time from your base.
Does ObraUp set up my Google Business Profile?
Yes, as a growth service. Your website plan doesn't include it, but Google Business Profile setup is an ObraUp service, available now and quoted for your business. Either way the profile stays yours, and it should link to your website.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help, Manage your service area for service-area and hybrid businesses (checked October 13, 2026)
- CSLB, Advertising Guidelines for Contractors (checked October 13, 2026)