For most New Zealand tradies, a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) drives more job enquiries than any website, directory, or paid ad — and it's completely free. When someone searches "plumber near me" or "builder Tauranga", the map results at the top are Google Business Profiles. If you're not there, you're invisible.
Step 1 — Claim and verify your profile
Search your business name on Google, or go to the Google Business Profile site, and claim your listing. Google verifies you by phone, text, or postcard. Use your real trading name exactly as it appears on your invoices.
Step 2 — Fill in everything
- Categories — set a primary category (e.g. "Plumber") plus relevant secondary ones.
- Service area — list the towns and suburbs you actually cover.
- Services — add each service you offer; these become searchable.
- Hours, phone, website — keep them accurate. Inconsistent details hurt ranking.
- Photos — add real photos of completed jobs, your van, and your team. Profiles with photos get far more clicks.
Step 3 — Win reviews consistently
Reviews are the biggest local-ranking lever you control. The tactics that work:
- Ask at the end of every job, while the customer is happy.
- Make it one tap — text them your Google review link.
- Reply to every review, including the occasional negative one, calmly and professionally.
Recency matters: a profile getting a couple of fresh reviews a month outranks one with lots of old ones.
Step 4 — Keep it active
Post occasional updates, answer questions, and keep your service area and services current. An active profile signals to Google that you're a live, trustworthy business.
Next steps
Pair your Google presence with a free directory listing — list your business on NZ Tradie Tools — and use our Find a Tradie directory to see how top-rated tradies in your trade and city present themselves.