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Google Business Profile.

What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free listing that appears when someone searches for your business or a service like yours on Google Search and Google Maps. When a homeowner in your area types "plumber near me" or "electrician in Sandton," Google pulls results partly from GBP listings. If you don't have one, you're invisible to that search.

Setting one up costs nothing. It takes about 30 minutes, plus a few days for verification. Once it's live, it works for you around the clock.

ProHelp recommends every Pro get a GBP regardless of whether they have a website. Your ProHelp profile URL is a valid website to link to from your Google listing. Once your Google Business Profile is verified and active, ProHelp will automatically display your Google rating on your ProHelp profile, giving customers one more reason to choose you.

Step-by-step: creating your Google Business Profile

Step 1: Go to google.com/business

Open a browser and go to google.com/business. Click "Manage now" or "Get started." Google will walk you through the setup from here.

Step 2: Sign in with your business Google account

Use the Google account linked to your business, not a personal Gmail. If you don't have a separate business account, create one now. Use the email address you want customers to contact you on: that address will be associated with this listing permanently, and changing it later adds friction.

Step 3: Enter your business name

Type your business name exactly as you use it: the name customers know you by. Google may suggest an existing listing for your business. If your business already appears, claim it rather than creating a duplicate (see the "Common issues" section below).

Step 4: Choose your primary business category

Your category tells Google what kind of work you do. Pick the one that best describes your main service. Common options for SA trades: "Plumber," "Electrician," "Handyman," "Painter," "Roofing Contractor," "HVAC Contractor," "Cleaning Service." Choose the most specific match available. You can add secondary categories later from your dashboard.

Step 5: Set your service area

Most SA tradespeople work from a vehicle or home, not a shopfront. When Google asks whether you have a physical location customers visit, select "No, I deliver goods and services to my customers." Then add the areas you cover: city names, suburbs, or postal codes. Keep your service area realistic. Covering too large a radius can hurt your relevance in local searches.

Step 6: Add your contact details

Enter your SA mobile number in full format, either +27 8x xxx xxxx or the local 0xx xxx xxxx format. Google accepts both. Add a website URL if you have one. Your ProHelp profile (e.g. prohelp.co.za/pro/your-name) is a perfectly valid choice here if you don't have a separate website.

Step 7: Complete the verification step

Google needs to confirm that your business is real and that you control the listing. Three options are available, and which one Google offers you depends on your location and category:

• Postcard by post: Google mails a physical card with a verification code to your service address. In Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, delivery typically takes 5 to 10 business days. In smaller towns or rural areas, allow up to 4 weeks. Do not make changes to your listing while you wait; it can reset the verification.
• Phone verification: Google sends an automated voice call or SMS with a code. This option is only offered to some business types and areas. If it appears, use it: it's by far the fastest route.
• Video verification: A newer option where you record a short video showing your equipment, vehicle, or workspace. Google reviews it manually, which can take several days. Follow the on-screen prompts carefully: the video must show your business name, location, and the type of work you do.

Step 8: Wait for verification to complete

If you chose postcard verification, the card arrives at the address you registered. Keep an eye out for it and do not discard it: the code on the card is time-limited (usually 30 days). Once it arrives, log in at google.com/business, enter the code, and your listing becomes active.

Step 9: Fill out your profile fully

A complete profile ranks higher and converts better. After verification, add:

• Business hours: Including whether you offer emergency call-outs outside normal hours.
• Services: List the specific services you offer. "Geyser replacement," "fault finding," "DB board upgrades" converts better than just "Electrician."
• Photos: Add real photos of completed work, your vehicle, and your team. Listings with photos get significantly more enquiries than those without. Avoid stock images.
• Business description: Two to three sentences covering what you do, where you work, and what makes you reliable. Keep it factual and specific.

Step 10: Ask past customers for reviews

Once your listing is live, reach out to customers you've worked with before. A simple WhatsApp message works well: "Howzit [name], thanks again for the job last month. I've just set up my Google listing. If you were happy with the work, I'd really appreciate a quick review: [your GBP link]." Do not offer incentives for reviews. Google prohibits it, and it puts your listing at risk.

Step 11: Respond to every review

Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, signals to Google that you're an active business. Thank customers who leave good reviews. Respond to negative reviews calmly and professionally: explain what you'll do differently, and offer to resolve the issue directly. Avoid arguing in public. Future customers read how you respond, not just the star rating.

Step 12: Keep your profile updated

Update your hours, services, and photos as your business changes. If you add a new trade, update your categories. If you take on an apprentice or expand your service area, reflect that in your profile. Google rewards active listings with better placement.

Common issues

My postal card never arrived

If two weeks have passed (or four weeks in a rural area) and your card hasn't arrived, log in to your GBP dashboard and click "Request another code." Google allows you to resend up to three times. If the address is correct and cards still don't arrive, switch to phone or video verification if those options become available. Check that your postbox is accessible and clearly marked with your street number or business name.

Google won't let me verify

Common causes: the address entered doesn't match what Google Maps knows, the business name is flagged as a duplicate of an existing listing, or your category is in a restricted sector that requires additional checks. Double-check that your address is correct and matches what appears on Google Maps. If you see a message about a duplicate listing, use the claim process below rather than creating a new profile.

I already have a GBP but it's "unverified"

An unverified listing may have been auto-generated by Google from public data. Go to google.com/business, search for your business name, and select "Claim this business." You'll be taken through the same verification steps as a new listing. Once verified, you gain full control: you can update details, respond to reviews, and add photos.

Someone else has claimed my business

This can happen if a previous employee, a web agency, or a former business partner set up the listing and retained access. Go to your GBP listing, click "Claim this business," and Google will notify the current owner. If there is no response within seven days, Google typically transfers ownership to you after you complete verification. If that process fails, submit a reinstatement request via the Google Business Profile support page.

Once your profile is live

Once your Google Business Profile is verified and active, ProHelp will automatically display your Google rating on your ProHelp profile. Customers searching for your trade will see your star rating alongside your ProHelp-verified reviews, giving them more confidence before they request a quote.

Need help? Contact us. Want to see what your ProHelp profile looks like to customers? Visit prohelp.co.za and search for your trade. Not yet on ProHelp? See our pricing to get started.