Your Google Business Profile has a main category. It's one of the first things Google uses to decide which searches you show up for.
Pick the wrong one and you can have great reviews and still be hard to find.
How to pick it
- Be specific. Choose the category that describes your core business most exactly. "Tile contractor" beats "Contractor." "Roofing contractor" beats "Construction company."
- Search like a customer. Google your main service and your town. Click the top businesses in the map results. Their category shows under their name.
- Add extra categories only for real services. If you do both roofing and gutters, you can add a second category. Google says to use as few as possible, and never just as keywords.
Where to change it
Search your business name on Google while logged in. Click Edit profile, then find Business category. The first category listed is your main one.
Heads up: changing your main category can make Google review your profile again. Pick carefully, change it once, and don't keep switching.
Then fill in your services
Under your categories, Google lets you list the services you offer. Add every one you actually do, in plain words your customers would use.