Here's something I've noticed after 27 years of working with Maine businesses: most of them are invisible on Google. Not because they don't deserve to be found. Not because they don't have great services. They're invisible because they haven't claimed and optimized their Google Business Profile.
And here's the kicker—it takes less than 2 hours to fix this. This week. No paid ads. No complicated SEO. Just a free tool that Google literally handed you when you opened your business.
Why Google Business Profile Matters (More Than You Think)
When someone in Maine searches "plumber near me" or "massage therapist in Rockland," Google shows them a map with local businesses. But here's what most business owners don't realize: if your profile isn't set up right, you're losing calls to competitors who did the bare minimum work.
The businesses that show up at the top of that map? They're not necessarily the biggest. They're the ones Google trusts most. And Google decides trust based on:
- Complete Information: Is your address, phone, and hours actually filled in? (You'd be shocked how many aren't.)
- Reviews: Businesses with more reviews rank higher. Period.
- Photos: A professional looking profile with photos gets more clicks than a text-only profile.
- Consistency: Does your business name, address, and phone number match across the internet? Google checks.
When your profile is optimized, you get more clicks. More clicks turn into calls, website visits, and new customers.
Here's Exactly What To Do This Week
Step 1: Claim Your Profile (30 minutes)
Go to google.com/business and search for your business. If it exists (it probably does), click "Manage this business" and follow Google's verification process. This usually means receiving a postcard with a code, or verifying by phone if you're lucky.
Step 2: Complete Everything (30 minutes)
Don't skip any fields. Fill in:
- Business description (75 words explaining what you do)
- Categories (pick the most specific ones)
- Hours (and update them if they change seasonally)
- Services you offer
- Website link
- Phone number (use the one customers call)
Step 3: Add Photos (30 minutes)
Get 5-10 photos of your work, your team, your storefront, or your service in action. Clear, well-lit photos beat blurry ones every time. This is where most businesses leave money on the table.
Step 4: Ask For Reviews (Ongoing)
After each project, ask happy customers to leave a Google review. Send them the direct link. The more recent reviews you have, the better you rank. This is the hidden lever that most businesses never pull.
What Happens Next
Within a week or two, you'll start showing up higher in local searches. Within a month, you should see an uptick in calls and website visits from people searching for exactly what you offer.
I've seen this play out time and again — a contractor does this exact process, and three months later they're getting 2-3 qualified calls per week from Google alone. The reaction is always the same: "I can't believe I was paying for ads when this was sitting here free the whole time."
That's the power of getting the basics right.
One More Thing
If you want a professional to audit your Google profile and identify what you're missing, I offer a Website & Profile Audit — book a quick call and we'll scope it. But honestly? This is something you can absolutely do yourself if you set aside an afternoon.
The question is: will you? Or will you keep waiting for customers to find you?
This week. Two hours. Free tool. More calls. That's the deal.
- Seth Jacobs, Midcoast Marketing