Nora41

The complete guide

Fix your Google listing yourself

Exactly what we do for our clients, step by step. All of it can be done alone. Allow the time shown, not counting the back-and-forth with Google.

In total: about 19.5 hours of setup, then 2 hours a week.

Run the free check first

1.The right categories

Time: ≈ 1 h

Why it matters

The primary category is the first relevance signal. The wrong one can keep you out of the searches that matter.

The steps

  1. 1List the 5 to 10 terms customers really type (trade + town).
  2. 2Search each on Google Maps and note the primary category of the top 3.
  3. 3In your profile: Edit profile → Business category.
  4. 4Pick the most precise primary category, not the broadest.
  5. 5Add secondary categories for services you really offer.
  6. 6Check again after 2 weeks: Google sometimes changes categories itself.

What can go wrong

  • Changing the primary category often can trigger re-verification.
  • Categories unrelated to your business can get the listing suspended.

2.A steady flow of reviews

Time: ≈ 1.5 h, then 45 min/week

Why it matters

Count, rating and regularity weigh heavily in ranking, and customers compare them first.

The steps

  1. 1Create your direct review link: Profile → Ask for reviews → copy the link.
  2. 2Prepare a short message to send after each job (SMS or WhatsApp).
  3. 3Print a QR code to the link: counter, van, invoices.
  4. 4Ask the same day, while the customer is happy.
  5. 5Track the count weekly and remind once if needed.
  6. 6Never ask for reviews in exchange for a discount or gift.

What can go wrong

  • Bought reviews, or ones written by friends, can cost you all your reviews or the listing.
  • Asking 30 customers on the same day creates a suspicious spike.

3.Reply to every review

Time: ≈ 3 h, then 15 min/week

Why it matters

Replies show an active business and reassure the customer reading. An unanswered complaint costs calls.

The steps

  1. 1Open Reviews in your profile and filter “unanswered”.
  2. 2Positive: thank them with one specific detail about the job.
  3. 3Negative: thank, acknowledge, offer a fix, without a long defence.
  4. 4Never paste the same reply everywhere: Google and customers notice.
  5. 5Reply to new reviews within 48 hours.
  6. 6Flag fake or off-topic reviews with “Report review”.

What can go wrong

  • An angry reply stays visible for years.
  • Mentioning the customer’s details in a reply can be a data-protection problem.

4.Photos, regularly

Time: ≈ 2 h, then 20 min/week

Why it matters

Listings with recent photos get more direction requests and website clicks. Google also looks at frequency.

The steps

  1. 1Gather 20 to 30 photos: outside, inside, team, jobs, before/after.
  2. 2Crop to 4:3, at least 720 px, no text or filters.
  3. 3Add photos → pick the right category (exterior, interior, at work…).
  4. 4Set a logo and a cover photo.
  5. 5Then add 2 to 3 new photos every week.
  6. 6Report or remove customer photos that don’t represent you.

What can go wrong

  • Google spots stock photos and may remove them.
  • 50 photos at once and nothing for a year is worse than a steady rhythm.

5.A real description

Time: ≈ 1.5 h

Why it matters

The description helps Google understand your business and customers choose. Write it for both.

The steps

  1. 1Say what you do in one sentence, with your trade and area.
  2. 2Add your 3 to 5 main services, in customers’ words.
  3. 3Mention what sets you apart (lead times, guarantee, speciality).
  4. 4Stay under 750 characters, no links or phone numbers.
  5. 5Edit profile → Description → paste → Save.
  6. 6Wait for approval: Google can reject text that is too salesy.

What can go wrong

  • URLs, promo prices and lots of capitals get the description rejected.
  • Repeating the same keyword ten times does more harm than good.

6.Every service you offer

Time: ≈ 2 h

Why it matters

Google matches listed services against searches. A missing service is a search where you don’t exist.

The steps

  1. 1Make the full list of everything you invoice.
  2. 2Edit profile → Services → first pick the ones Google suggests.
  3. 3Add the missing custom services, one per line.
  4. 4Give each a 1 to 2 sentence description.
  5. 5Add a price or range where you can.
  6. 6Repeat for each secondary category: each has its own services.

What can go wrong

  • Services change when you change category: redo the list after every change.

7.Complete opening hours

Time: ≈ 0.5 h, then 5 min/week

Why it matters

Google shows listings without hours less often, and hides those closed at search time.

The steps

  1. 1Edit profile → Hours → fill in every day.
  2. 2Add special hours for every public holiday of the year.
  3. 3Add holiday closures in advance.
  4. 4If you answer the phone later than you’re open, say so.
  5. 5Before each holiday, check Google hasn’t changed your hours.

What can go wrong

  • Wrong hours bring customers to a closed door, and bad reviews with them.

8.The same details everywhere

Time: ≈ 4 h

Why it matters

Google cross-checks your details across the web. Inconsistencies weaken its trust in your listing.

The steps

  1. 1Write down your name, address and phone exactly as on Google.
  2. 2Check and fix local.ch, search.ch, Moneyhouse and the commercial register.
  3. 3Claim your Apple Maps (Business Connect) and Bing Places listings.
  4. 4Fix trade directories and quote portals you appear on.
  5. 5Remove duplicates and old addresses.
  6. 6Keep a list of where you’re listed, for the next change.

What can go wrong

  • An old number in a directory can cost you calls for years.

9.Google posts

Time: ≈ 0.5 h, then 30 min/week

Why it matters

Posts show an active listing and take up more space in results.

The steps

  1. 1Profile → Add update.
  2. 2One real photo, 2 to 3 sentences, a button (Call, Learn more).
  3. 3Post weekly: posts drop out of view after a few weeks.
  4. 4Mix it up: finished job, seasonal tip, offer.

What can go wrong

  • Posts with a phone number in the text are often rejected.

10.Questions and answers

Time: ≈ 1 h, then 5 min/week

Why it matters

Visible questions settle doubts before the call, and anyone can answer them in your place.

The steps

  1. 1Write down the 5 questions you get most on the phone.
  2. 2Post them under Questions & answers on your listing.
  3. 3Answer them with the business account.
  4. 4Check for new questions every week.

What can go wrong

  • An unanswered question can get a wrong answer from a stranger.

11.Website linked to the listing

Time: ≈ 2 h

Why it matters

Google connects listing and website. A clear page strengthens relevance.

The steps

  1. 1Add your website link to the listing.
  2. 2On the site: trade and town in the home page title.
  3. 3The same name, address and phone as on Google.
  4. 4Embed your listing’s Google map on the contact page.
  5. 5Check the site works well on mobile.

What can go wrong

  • A link to a slow or broken page does more harm than no link.

12.Attributes

Time: ≈ 0.5 h

Why it matters

Attributes act as filters for customers and complete the listing.

The steps

  1. 1Edit profile → More → tick every attribute that applies.
  2. 2Add your booking link if you have one.
  3. 3Review the list every 6 months: Google adds new ones.

What can go wrong

  • A false attribute (e.g. wheelchair accessible) leads to bad reviews.

No 19.5 hours to spare?

We’ll do it: instant quote