Google Business Profile Tips for Chester Tradespeople

Graham McCormack
July 26th, 2025

Let’s cut to it — if you’re a tradesman in Chester and your Google Business Profile isn’t sorted, you’re losing work. Simple as that.

Most people don’t scroll past the map when they’re looking for someone to fix a boiler or wire a socket. If your profile isn’t showing up — or worse, it’s showing up half empty — you’re already behind.

This is the one bit of online marketing that’s free and actually works. Here’s how to stop cocking it up.

Claim the bloody thing

You’d be surprised how many Chester trades businesses don’t even own their own listing. If you’ve never clicked that “Claim this business” link, then someone else — or no one — is controlling how you appear on Google.

Search for your business. If it gives you the option to manage it, do it. Verify it by phone, email or postcard (yes, they still use post), and take control.

If someone else has claimed it — maybe a web guy you don’t talk to anymore — request ownership. You’ll get it back in a few days if they don’t reply.

Once it’s yours, you can actually do something useful with it.

Set your service areas properly

You don’t need a shopfront for this to work. If you’re mobile — plumber, electrician, roofer — hide your address and list the areas you work in.

Be specific. Use real places. “Chester” is fine, but so is “Hoole”, “Blacon”, “Ellesmere Port”, “Mold”, or “CH1 to CH4”.

Don’t put “North West England” or some massive 3-hour radius. Google will either ignore you or suspend the profile. Just cover the places you actually drive to.

Show off your work (not just a logo)

Before and after pics are gold for trades. Whether it’s a new kitchen, a rewired fuse board, or a patio job — showing what you’ve done builds trust fast.

Upload them straight to your profile. Clean shots, no filters, no weird angles. Just good work.

Google reads images now — it knows what’s in them. So yes, photos help your rankings. Not just your reputation.

Get reviews and reply to them

You know what looks worse than a one-star review? One that’s just sat there, ignored.

Reply to every review — even the good ones. A quick “Thanks for the feedback” shows you’re not asleep at the wheel.

Bad review? Don’t lose your head. Just respond calmly, explain your side, and move on. People reading it will respect how you handled it.

And if you’re not asking for reviews — why not? Send a link when the job’s done. Stick it in your invoice. Mention it on the phone. Most people are happy to help — they just forget unless you ask.

Fill out the damn thing

Don’t leave half the sections blank. Complete your profile properly.

A proper description (say what you do and where)
Your opening hours (including out-of-hours if you offer it)
The right phone number (don’t make people hunt for it)
The services you offer (actual trades, not generic waffle)

If you do boiler installs, rewires, outdoor lighting, whatever — add it.

The more detail you give, the more likely you are to show up when someone searches.

Pick the right category

If you’re a plumber, don’t put “contractor”. Pick “plumber”.

Then add secondary categories — stuff like “heating contractor”, “bathroom fitter”, “emergency plumber”, depending on what you actually do.

Don’t overdo it. Choose what you want to be found for — not everything you’ve ever done once.

Check what your competitors are using too. If they’re ranking well, nick their category list.

Keep your info consistent

NAP. Name, address, phone. It needs to be the same everywhere.

If your website says one thing, your Google profile says another, and your Checkatrade listing is missing a digit — Google won’t trust any of it.

Keep it identical on your website, Google profile, Yell, Facebook, and anywhere else you show up online.

Little stuff matters. “Street” vs “St.” can screw things up. Be precise.

Final word

Your Google Business Profile is your online shopfront. It’s where people look before they call. And if yours is a mess, you’re handing work to someone else.

For further insights, read our guide on why local Chester businesses fail to rank. Then discover how our local SEO Chester services can boost your visibility. Visit our Chester page for more local insights.

Fix it, own it, and update it. Or get left behind.

Need help sorting it all out properly? Get in touch and I’ll do it for you.