Let’s be honest. As an epoxy flooring installer, your hands-on work like grinding, mixing, and applying the final topcoat is what gets you paid. Dealing with digital marketing, on the other hand? It probably feels like a whole other job. Maybe you’ve been getting by on word-of-mouth, and it’s worked… for a while.
But here’s the deal: maybe there’s a new guy down the street. And maybe he has a fancy website, promotes a few ads, and suddenly has a bunch of positive reviews on Google. And he seems to be getting calls that you are not. That’s where Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) comes in. Think of it as your always-open, digital storefront; the first thing that potential customers see when they Google “epoxy flooring near me.”
With a little work, your free Business Profile can bring you a serious stream of leads. Here are eight tips to get you ranking higher and looking more professional to turn those searchers into actual customers. Don’t be afraid; it’s not marketing rocket science.
Tips on How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
1. Fill Everything Out. No, Seriously.
Your profile is your digital business card. And a full, complete profile lets Google know that you are legit, while telling customers that you are solid.
The more specific you are, the better. You don’t just “do floors.” You specialize in Epoxy Floor Coatings, Garage Flakes, and/or Concrete Polishing. Use the Services section to spell everything out.
More importantly: be consistent. Your business name, address, and phone number have to match everywhere. And by everywhere I mean your Google Business Profile profile, your Facebook page, Instagram, your website. Any tiny mismatch can confuse Google while costing you a few customers.
2. Photos Are Your Best Sales Pitch
Add examples of your work to your profile. Before-and-after shots sell better than most ad copies out there. Don’t show only the glossy, finished floor; include the cracked, dusty concrete before it as well. People love a good transformation.
Add some personality to your gallery. Show your crew on the job, your tools, your van. It makes you look trustworthy, approachable, and professional.
In this line of work, good pictures are not only worth a thousand words but also a few thousand bucks. So, while you might be tired after completing the job, prioritize setting aside extra time to take some amazing shots.
3. Beat Them to the Punch with Q&A
The Q&A section on a business profile is community-based, meaning anyone can post a question or an answer. Seeing half-right answers is definitely not ideal.
A good way to overcome this is to become your own expert: post and answer common questions yourself. Is epoxy flooring slippery? How long does installation take? The clearer the information, the less you’ll have to repeat yourself on the phone.
4. Master the Google Review Game
Reviews are today’s word-of-mouth, but with more reach and longevity. They’re basically how strangers decide if you are worth trusting their money with and whether or not you’ll do a good job. Follow these steps to nail it:
- Make it easy to review: send a follow-up text or email with a direct link to your profile’s review page right after the job is done. Happy customers will almost always leave a review if you simply ask.
- Respond to every single review, good or bad. It’s important to show that you care.
- Keep it personal: customize every response; don’t just copy and paste a cookie-cutter response.
- Ask for photos specifically! A 5-star review is great, but a 5-star review complete with photos of your work and a happy customer is golden.
- Bonus points if your reviews contain the keywords you’re trying to rank for.
5. Write a Business Description That Sells
Don’t just say what you do; we know you “do floors.” Your business description should explain what you do and why a customer should choose you over everyone else.
Are you a small, family-owned business? How long have you been doing this? Do you offer a warranty? Do you have something, maybe a small, local story that makes you unique? While you do this, include some keywords that define your work, like “epoxy flooring” or “garage coatings.” This will help customers find you while searching online.
6. Pick the Right Business Categories
This one is simple but no less important. Picking the most specific category Google offers you will show you to the right people. “Flooring Contractor” can work way better than just “Flooring.” Making it too broad might lead to less leads.
7. Post Regular Updates
If you have a project you’re proud of, an upcoming offer, or just want to share some maintenance tips, posting to your profile consistently is key. Use the posting feature as an active billboard for your business, and potential customers will see you as active and relevant.
8. Check Your Insights
Google provides you with a lot of consumer information across its apps & tools, and a Google Business Profile is no exception. Your profile has performance-related insights, a free analytics dashboard that works like a report card for your profile.
Monitor these insights to see how customers are finding you and what they’re clicking on once they get to your profile. Perhaps they’re calling you or simply visiting your website for more information. Either way, you’ll be able to keep track.
Get More Flooring Leads with a Google Business Profile
You’re already doing the work on the job site. Now it’s time to put in a little effort to make sure that people can find you. Spend a few minutes every week on your profile, keeping it updated and polished, and you’ll be building a free and very powerful 24/7 lead-generation tool.
Answer questions, post pictures, and respond to reviews promptly; show your customers that you care. Your next lead is probably already searching the internet for your services. Make sure they find you and not your competitor.
