Episode 8: The Google Business Profile Fixes Most Small Businesses Ignore

May 2nd, 2026

36 mins 57 secs

Season 1

Your Hosts

About this Episode

Want more local clients from Google? In this episode of Creavo Cast, Jake Van Ness and Carl Grivakis talk about how small businesses, service businesses, trades, contractors, landscapers, designers and local professionals can use their Google Business Profile to rank higher in local search, show up in the Google Map Pack and generate more phone calls.

Carl shares what he recently taught during a local business networking presentation, including practical Google Business Profile strategies like getting more Google reviews, adding fresh photos, posting regular updates, optimizing categories and services, responding to reviews, using keywords naturally and keeping your profile active.

We also talk about why your Google Business Profile should work alongside your website, SEO, print marketing, direct mail and referral strategy. For local businesses, especially home service businesses, your Google Business Profile can be one of the most important tools for helping customers find you when they search for services near them.

In this episode, we cover:

How to optimize your Google Business Profile
Why Google reviews matter for local SEO
How many reviews and photos can help strengthen your profile
Why before-and-after photos work well for contractors and service businesses
How to use Google Business Profile posts and updates
Why seasonal businesses should update their profile regularly
How categories and services help Google understand your business
Why your website and Google Business Profile should work together
How local businesses can track where leads come from
Why YouTube, Shorts and AI search may matter more moving forward

If you run a small business, service business, contracting business, landscaping company, design business or local professional service, this episode will help you understand how to make your Google Business Profile work harder for you.