Mastering Google Business Profile for Landscapers: Grow Your Green Business Online

If you run a landscaping business, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is vital. If you don’t have one then you simply won’t appear in local search, which is bad. Really bad.

Your Business Profile is far and away your best tool for getting more leads from organic search.

After all, the root of local SEO is a simple question:

When someone in your area searches for “landscapers near me,” who shows up at the top of Google’s Map Pack?

You?

…Or your competitors?

It may seem like you have to try all these tricks and “SEO hacks” to get to the top, but that’s wrong.

SEO isn’t magic, hacks, or guesswork.

We’ve gathered what’s essential and compiled it for this post so it’s full of exactly what you need to know about Google Business Profiles for landscapers, and how to optimize your profile.

TLDR: Google Business Profile for Landscapers

• Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for local SEO and appearing in Google’s Map Pack
• A well-optimized GBP can significantly increase visibility and lead generation
• Key optimization steps include accurate business information, high-quality photos, and detailed service descriptions
• Regular updates, seasonal strategies, and leveraging features like Posts and Q&A can boost profile effectiveness
• Encouraging and responding to customer reviews is vital for building credibility
• Monitoring GBP insights helps refine strategy and improve performance

Table of Contents

1. How important is a your Google Business Profile?
   • Key Local Pack SEO stats
   • How hard is it to rank in the Map Pack?
   • What exactly is Google Business Profile?
   • The local search goldmine
   • First impressions count
   • The trust factor
   • Your 24/7 customer service rep
2. Setting up your landscaping business’s Google Business Profile
   • Adding your basic business information
   • Additional critical Google Business Profile components
   • One more thing about reviews
3. Optimizing your profile to showcase your landscaping expertise
4. Leveraging Google Business Profile features for landscapers
   • Business Profile posts (updates, offers, & events)
   • Reviews (yes, again - they’re that important!)
   • The Q&A section
5. Seasonal strategies for landscapers on Google Business Profile
6. Measuring success: Google Business Profile insights for landscapers
7. Key takeaways
8. FAQs
   • How often should landscapers update their Google Business Profile?
   • Can I showcase different landscaping projects in my Google Business Profile?
   • How can landscapers encourage clients to leave reviews on Google Business Profile?
   • Should landscapers list pricing information on their Google Business Profile?
   • How can landscapers use Google Business Profile to stand out from competitors?

How important is a your Google Business Profile?

The only way your business can show in Google’s Local Pack/Map Pack is if you have a Google Business Profile (don’t worry, it’s free).

Once you have your set up correctly - as you’ll learn to do shortly, you’ll be eligible to appear.

Key Local Pack SEO stats

Like it or not, the Map Pack/Local Pack is very much like real estate: there’s a limited amount of spots and if there are a bunch of competitors for the top ones you’re going to have to outbid the competition (in this case, that bid comes in the form of your SEO work).

But it’s worth the work.

The top 3 results in Local Pack get 48%+ of the clicks combined. Meanwhile businesses that only appear in the organic search results below the Local Pack each get an average of 2.6% CTR!

How hard is it to rank in the Map Pack?

The truth is that if you’re not in a competitive market you may only need to do half the work and you can get to the top.

While in a competitive market you need to have a dedicated SEO strategy or team just to get to the first page of the Local Pack (let alone see the top 3 results consistently).

What exactly is Google Business Profile?

Your Google Business Profile is a free tool provided by Google that allows you to manage your business’s online presence across Google’s services, including Search and Maps.

It is an absolutely essential part of your local SEO strategy.

For landscapers, it’s a kind of digital storefront, that you can freely use to showcase your services, work you’ve done, offers and promotions, contact information, and customer reviews in one convenient location.

Think of GBP as your business’s own piece of that prime real estate on the internet.

If properly setup and optimized, you have a 24/7 billboard in the busiest part of town - but instead of costing you a fortune, it’s completely free!

The local search goldmine

For landscapers, local search is where the real treasure lies. When potential clients in your area search for phrases like “landscaper near me” or “best lawn care service,” Google Business Profiles are often the first results they see (after any ads, because Google likes money).

This local search functionality is particularly valuable for landscaping businesses because:

1. Most of your clients are likely within a specific geographical area.
2. People searching for landscaping services often want someone local instead of a larger company.
3. It allows you to compete with larger companies by highlighting your local expertise (i.e. knowledge of the climate, seasons, native plants and local stone/hard materials).

By optimizing your GBP, you increase your chances of appearing in these crucial local search results, putting your business front and center when potential clients are actively looking for your services.

First impressions count

Your Google Business Profile often serves as the first point of contact between your landscaping business and potential clients. It’s your chance to make a stellar first impression before a client even visits your website.

With GBP, you can:

• Showcase high-quality photos of your best landscaping projects
• Highlight your range of services
• Display your business hours and contact information
• Feature customer reviews and ratings

All of these elements work together to create a powerful first impression that can turn a casual searcher into a potential client.

The trust factor

In the digital world, trust is currency. A well-maintained Google Business Profile can significantly boost your credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of potential clients.

Here’s how GBP builds trust:

1. Verified businesses appear more legitimate to searchers.
2. Customer reviews provide social proof of your quality work.
3. Regular updates and posts show that your business is active and engaged.
4. Detailed service information helps clients understand what you offer.

For landscapers, this trust factor is crucial. After all, you’re asking people to entrust you with transforming their personal outdoor spaces. A strong GBP helps build the initial trust that can convert a lead into a loyal client.

Your 24/7 customer service rep

One of the most underappreciated aspects of Google Business Profile is its ability to work round the clock, providing valuable information to potential clients even outside of your business hours.

Your GBP can:

• Provide crucial information like your hours, services, and contact details
• Answer common questions through the Q&A feature
• Allow clients to message you directly
• Showcase your latest offers or seasonal services through posts

This constant availability ensures that potential clients can find the information they need about your landscaping services at any time, improving their experience and increasing the likelihood of them choosing your business.

When it comes down to it, a Google Business Profile isn’t just a nice-to-have for landscapers - it’s an essential tool in your digital marketing arsenal.

It increases your visibility in local searches, creates a strong first impression, builds trust with potential clients, and works tirelessly to provide information and attract new business.

You can’t afford not to leverage your GBP.

Key points:

• Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for appearing in Google’s Local Pack/Map Pack
• Top 3 results in Local Pack get 48%+ of clicks combined
• GBP acts as a digital storefront, showcasing services, work, and reviews
• Local search is particularly valuable for landscaping businesses
• GBP builds trust and credibility with potential clients
• It serves as a 24/7 customer service representative

Setting up your landscaping business’s Google Business Profile

The best and most up-to-date guide on claiming and creating your Business Profile is Google’s.

I recommend you open that link in another tab and take care of your initial claim and verification if you haven’t done that already, then come back here for exactly what to fill in and where.

Once you’ve claimed it, you’ll need to do the following

Adding your basic business information

Make sure your business information is up-to-date and accurate.

This means

1. Business Name: Your business name should be the business name on your legal documents.
2. Business Category: Choose your primary category. For most of you, it’ll be one of the following:

• Landscape Architect
• Landscape Designer
• Landscape Lighting Designer
• Landscaper
• Landscaping Supply Store
• Rock Landscaping Contractor
• Gardener
• Garden Center
• Lawn Care Service
• Lawn Equipment Rental Service
• Lawn Irrigation Equipment Supplier
• Lawn Mower Repair Service
• Lawn Sprinkler System

Google adds categories over time, so bear in mind if you’re reading this after 2024 there may even be additional categories to choose from.

3. Description: Create a description that is compelling, concise, and specific to your business. Don’t keyword stuff, but make sure you mention the type of business you are and services you provide. Since you provide services for a given area, it is worth mentioning that area here (there is another section where you’ll list your service areas in totality, so don’t feel the need to mention every city and town you serve here).
4. Opening Date: The date on which you opened your business (not the date you created your GBP)
5. Phone Number: As a best practice you should have a separate tracking phone number that you can use to attribute inquiries to your GBP. To do this, add that tracking phone number as your “Primary Phone” and put your main line (which is the number listed on your website) as the “Additional Phone”. You need both if you are using a tracking number so that Google can associate your business with your website.
6. Website: Add your website URL
7. Social Profiles: Add any and all professional social profiles for your business. This should NOT include your personal LinkedIn or personal profiles. They should be specific to your business.
8. Business Location: Put your business location, as listed on relevant documents. If you don’t have an office where clients come to see designs for example, then make sure that “Show business address to customers” is NOT checked.
9. Service Area: Include your service area(s). Be as specific as possible and include anywhere you serve. Your location and these locations you list are huge factors in determining whether you show in local searches. If you are just starting out, make sure you include less competitive areas as well so you have a greater likelihood of showing in those searches.
10. Business Hours: Add your business hours. These should be exactly the same hours that you show on your website. If someone in your office can answer the phone at that time, then you can include it in your business hours. Even if you sometimes work earlier or later on a site, you should only include the hours in which someone can contact your office and talk to a live employee.
11. Special Hours: If there are holidays coming up fill in if you’ll be closed on that holiday. Google will notify the email associated with your GBP when a holiday is upcoming so you are reminded of this, however, you can also preempt this by filling in holidays for the year.
12. Add More Hours: It’s unlikely you need to add more here, but if you are a gardening supply center and allow clients to pick up materials you may have “Pickup” hours to add, for example.
13. From the Business: If you’re a veteran, woman, disabled, a minority, or LGBTQ+ then you can elect to identify as such here.
14. Crowd: This is less relevant to service area businesses, but you can specify if you’re LGBTQ+ friendly
15. Planning: Again, this is less relevant to a service area business, however it allows you to specify if an appointment is required. If you bring clients to your office you may want to include this.
16. Service Options: You should include “Offers online appointments” if you allow prospective clients to schedule a call with you online. Additionally, if you (or your team) speak languages other than English, this would be the place to select them.

Additional critical Google Business Profile components

1. Add a few high quality photos of your actual business location and staff. Even though you likely don’t have customers come to your office, this helps enhance credibility for both Google and potential customers.
2. Add some high quality pictures of your work. We recommend having a total of at least 10 pictures on your GBP, and regularly adding more.

3. Add your services with a brief description. Make sure to cover all of your main services. Try to think about what people might search for (“landscaping”, “water feature installation”, “xeriscaping”, “irrigation system installation”).
4. Add Q&As. These should be the answers to questions you get from potential clients regularly. Google will show the question with the highest rating and will move the answers with the highest rating up as well. Because anyone can ask or answer a question about your business, you’ll want to review these periodically.
5. Add Booking information. If potential clients can book online through your site or some other platform, include a link to the booking information.
6. Add products if you offer products, such as plants, hardscaping materials, or tool rentals. You may see some local businesses include their services as products, however, Google has started to crack down on this. Currently there’s no evidence that they are punishing anyone for listing services as both products and services, however, they will simply not show the products.
7. Get reviews! Once you’ve completed your Google Business Profile and it is approved and live, it’s time to request reviews from previous clients. The best reviews will relate directly to services you’ve provided, however, Google does allow for “character reviews” from non-clients as long as they are not falsified and they’re clear on what you have done for the person. Use the “Ask for reviews” link to direct previous customers to leave a review for you.

• Good Ex: “We just started with Cedar Web Agency and their onboarding process was smooth, efficient, and friendly. We can’t wait to see the results of our Digital Marketing System in a few months. So far, so good!”

One more thing about reviews

Getting reviews is absolutely essential for utiliizing your GBP to its fullest. We recommend using pre-job emails to set the expectation that you’ll request a review, and post-job emails to follow-up immediately once the job is done.

In fact, it’s a core part of the Perpetual Growth Machine in our Digital Marketing System.

Here are some simple templates you can customize and use to ask clients for reviews:

Dear Rebecca,

We are grateful for your business and the opportunity to make your outdoor landscape into something special.

As you can see from the before and after pictures included, the transformation was amazing! We’re extremely proud of this work and hope you enjoy it for years to come.

If you are thrilled with our work, we’d appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Google (link) or Yelp (link).

Our team members get rewarded with PTO and bonuses if they are mentioned in a positive review. Your team included Greg, Amy, Jo, and was headed by Keith, should you wish to acknowledge the work they did.

Thank you again for letting us enhance your landscape. If there is anything else we can do for you, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Bill Owner of Landscape Giants LLC

Feel free to modify this template. Our best practice for clients is to send other emails prior to the bid and job that emphasize their excellent reviews.

This does two things: 1) It builds up the value of the review and shows you stand behind your work, 2) it primes the client to view a positive review as a way that they can show their appreciation after the job, so when you ask for a review it isn’t unexpected and doesn’t feel like a burden.

Key points:

• Accurately fill in all basic business information
• Choose the most appropriate primary category for your business
• Add high-quality photos of your work and business location
• Include all your services with brief descriptions
• Add Q&As to address common client queries
• Get and respond to customer reviews regularly

Optimizing your profile to showcase your landscaping expertise

Now that you’ve set up your Google Business Profile, it’s time to optimize it to really showcase your landscaping expertise.

Think of this as fine-tuning your digital storefront - because that’s exactly what potential clients will see first.

Start with your business description. Make it compelling and specific to your business. Don’t just list services; highlight what makes your landscaping company unique.

Next, focus on visuals. Add high-quality photos and videos of your work (especially if you ignored me when I told you to do that in the previous section - don’t think I didn’t see that). Before-and-after shots are particularly effective - they clearly demonstrate the transformations you can achieve.

Lastly, don’t skimp on detailing your services.

Whether you specialize in water features, garden design, or eco-friendly landscaping, spell it out clearly.

Your Google Business Profile is your chance to demonstrate both your landscaping skills and business professionalism. So take the time to optimize it thoroughly - your future clients are out there, and a well-crafted profile will help them find you.

Key points:

• Create a compelling and specific business description
• Add high-quality photos and videos, especially before-and-after shots
• Detail all your services clearly and comprehensively
• Regularly update your profile to keep it fresh and relevant

Leveraging Google Business Profile features for landscapers

Google Business Profile isn’t just a static listing - it’s a dynamic tool with features you can leverage to keep your landscaping business front and center.

Business Profile posts (updates, offers, & events)

Start with Business Profile updates. These are like mini-billboards where you can showcase seasonal offerings or share quick landscaping tips.

Use them to highlight your spring cleanup services or use “Offers” to highlight things like fall leaf removal deals and specials.

If you’re holding any community events such as tree-planting sessions in a park or teaching about local plants and horticulture you can use the “Events”

Reviews (yes, again - they’re that important!)

Next, pay attention to your reviews.

They’re not just for show - how you manage and respond to them can significantly impact potential clients’ perceptions.

Always respond professionally, even to negative feedback. It shows you value customer service.

Think of your responses to negative feedback as being more for potential clients than the person you’re responding to.

The good news is that the “sweet spot” for ratings isn’t a perfect 5 stars - people are skeptical of that - instead, it’s supposedly between 4.2 and 4.6. However, I personally would strive to stay above 4.6 and I’ll always recommend having more reviews and a slightly lower rating (i.e. 50 reviews and a 4.6) over having fewer reviews and a higher rating.

The Q&A section

The Q&A section is another goldmine that most businesses underutilize.

Don’t wait for people to ask questions - be proactive. Add and answer common landscaping queries yourself. The questions shown at the top are the ones with the most up votes, and the same goes for the answers, so keep an eye on if other people are asking/answering questions and where your answers rank.

These Q&As help to position you as an expert and save you time in the long run.

If you’re not sure what to put here, think of common questions about your services and start by adding those. You can also look at other top results for a relevant Google search (ex: “traverse city landscaping”) and see if they have any Q&As that you can use as inspiration.

Key points:

• Use Google Posts to showcase seasonal offerings and share tips
• Manage and respond to all reviews professionally
• Utilize the Q&A section proactively to demonstrate expertise
• Set up messaging for quick client communication

Seasonal strategies for landscapers on Google Business Profile

As a landscaper, your business changes with the seasons, and your Google Business Profile should reflect that.

Keeping your profile seasonally relevant is key to attracting the right customers at the right time. Start by updating your services and photos to match the current season.

If you do snow removal, then make sure that’s listed during the winter. We recommend you change your primary category to “Snow removal service” during the winter if that’s your main revenue generator during those months.

In spring, showcase your lawn revival services with fresh, green photos.

Come fall, highlight your leaf removal expertise with images of tidy, leaf-free yards.

Don’t forget to promote seasonal offerings - whether it’s spring cleanup, summer lawn care, fall pruning, or winter snow removal.

Use Google Posts to share seasonal landscaping tips, too. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and provide value to potential clients.

For example, post about the best flowers to plant in spring or how to prepare gardens for winter.

By adapting your content strategy throughout the year, you’re showing potential clients that you’re on top of seasonal landscaping needs.

This approach keeps your profile fresh, relevant, and more likely to catch the eye of homeowners looking for timely landscaping services.

Key points:

• Update services and photos to reflect current season
• Promote seasonal offerings (e.g., spring cleanup, fall leaf removal)
• Share seasonal landscaping tips to demonstrate expertise
• Adapt your primary category seasonally if applicable (e.g., snow removal in winter)

Measuring success: Google Business Profile insights for landscapers

Unlike why people do bicep curls at the gym instead of just pullups (I love pullups), your Google Business Profile isn’t just about looking good - it’s about performing well.

And to know how it’s performing, you need to dig into the insights Google provides.

Start by monitoring your views and searches. Are people finding you when they look for landscapers? If not, it might be time to tweak your description or services.

Next, pay attention to customer actions. Are people clicking through to your website, calling you, or requesting directions? These actions indicate interest that could lead to new business.

Landscaping is perfect for visual marketing so photos are a big deal for landscapers. Make note of which ones generate the most interest. Maybe your before-and-after shots are stealing the show, or perhaps people love your hardscaping projects.

Use this information to guide what kinds of photos you post in the future, but don’t be afraid to A/B test new things.

Of course, you can’t forget about your posts - track which ones get the most views and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

By regularly checking and acting on these insights, you can refine your Google Business Profile strategy over time.

As we always tell clients, it’s not about set-it-and-forget-it; it’s about continuous improvement to keep attracting those landscaping leads.

Key points:

• Monitor views, searches, and customer actions
• Track which photos and posts generate the most interest
• Use insights to refine your Google Business Profile strategy and service offerings
• Regularly check and act on insights for continuous improvement

Key takeaways

Your Google Business Profile is more than just an online listing - it’s a powerful tool that can significantly boost your landscaping business’s visibility and credibility.

Best of all: it’s free!

By setting up, optimizing, and regularly updating your profile, you’re not just putting your business on the map - you’re positioning it at the forefront of local search results.

Remember, a well-managed GBP can be your 24/7 salesperson, showcasing your best work, highlighting your services, and building trust with potential clients even when you’re out in the field. It’s an investment of time that can yield substantial returns in terms of new leads and business growth.

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. If you don’t have time to do everything in one day, make a checklist and break it up into tasks you can accomplish over the course of a week.

Just make sure to do it.

Google basically owns search and it’s given you an excellent tool to be found by people looking for your services. Don’t let this opportunity go to waste.

Start implementing these strategies today, and watch as your digital presence grows as beautifully as the landscapes you create. Your future clients are out there searching - make sure they find you first.

As always, you can contact us for help with your Google Business Profile and Local SEO.

FAQs

How often should landscapers update their Google Business Profile?

As a landscaper, you should update your Google Business Profile at least once a month, but ideally, you’re making small updates weekly.

Remember, your business changes with the seasons, and your profile should reflect that. At the start of each season, do a thorough update of your services, photos, and posts to match what’s current.

During peak seasons (usually spring and fall for landscapers), consider updating even more frequently - maybe even weekly. This keeps your profile fresh and shows potential clients that you’re active and in tune with current landscaping needs.

Don’t forget to update your hours if they change seasonally, and always keep your contact information current. Regular updates not only help your customers but also signal to Google that your business is active and relevant, which can boost your visibility in local searches.

Can I showcase different landscaping projects in my Google Business Profile?

Absolutely! In fact, showcasing a variety of your landscaping projects is one of the best ways to use your Google Business Profile’s photo gallery feature.

Start by uploading high-quality, professional-looking photos of your best work. Include before-and-after shots to really demonstrate the transformations you can achieve. Showcase different types of projects - lawn care, hardscaping, garden design, water features - to highlight the range of your services.

Don’t just stick to final results, either.

Photos of your team at work can give potential clients a sense of your professionalism and attention to detail. Remember to add captions to your photos explaining what the project involved. You can even use Google’s video feature to showcase more complex projects or give virtual tours of larger landscaping jobs.

Just remember to respect client privacy - get permission before posting photos of private properties and be extra sure to blur out any identifying information (license plates, house numbers or streets, names on mailboxes, etc.).

How can landscapers encourage clients to leave reviews on Google Business Profile?

Encouraging reviews is all about making it easy and timely.

Despite what you may think, your review generation efforts should start well before you complete the job - even before you’ve officially landed it!

Highlight other excellent reviews to customers during your bid processs so that it’s in their mind. Then, in your pre- and post-bid and pre-job email sequences mention reviews to again highlight their value.

Of course, always provide top-notch service - satisfied customers are more likely to leave positive reviews.

Then, once you’ve completed a job, follow up with an email thanking the client and including a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page or other review pages.

You can say something like, “We hope you’re enjoying your new landscape! If you’re satisfied with our work, we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a review on Google.”

Some landscapers even create small ‘leave us a review’ cards with a QR code linking to their review page, which they leave with clients after completing a job. Remember, while it’s okay to encourage reviews, never offer incentives for positive reviews - that’s against Google’s policies. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for reviews in person when you know a client is happy with your work. Often, a personal request can be the most effective.

Should landscapers list pricing information on their Google Business Profile?

This is a tricky question without a one-size-fits-all answer. The short answer I’d offer, however, is “no.”

On the pro side, listing pricing can help pre-qualify leads.

If a potential client sees your prices and still contacts you, they’re more likely to be serious about hiring you. It can also save you time by reducing inquiries from people whose budgets don’t align with your rates.

However, there are cons to consider.

Landscaping projects can vary widely in scope and cost, and listing prices might oversimplify your services. It could also deter potential clients who might have been willing to pay your rates after understanding the value you provide.

If you do decide to list pricing, consider providing price ranges for different types of services rather than specific figures. For example, “Lawn care services starting at $X per visit” or “Custom landscaping design: $X-$Y range.” Alternatively, you could list your minimum project cost to set expectations.

Whatever you decide, make sure your pricing information is clear and up-to-date to avoid any customer confusion or disappointment.

How can landscapers use Google Business Profile to stand out from competitors?

Standing out on Google Business Profile is all about showcasing what makes your landscaping business unique.

1. Start by really nailing your business description - highlight your specialties, years of experience, or any awards you’ve won.
2. Use the Posts feature regularly to share landscaping tips, showcase recent projects, or announce seasonal services - this shows you’re active and knowledgeable.
3. Photos are crucial in the landscaping business, so make sure yours are high-quality and diverse. Include before-and-after shots, pictures of your team at work, and images that showcase different aspects of your services.
4. Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews, showing potential clients that you value customer feedback.
5. Use the Q&A section to address common questions before they’re even asked - this positions you as proactive and customer-focused. If you offer any unique services or use eco-friendly practices, make sure to highlight these.
6. Lastly, keep your profile updated with seasonal offerings and current contact information.

Remember, a complete, active, and engaging profile not only helps you stand out to potential clients but also signals to Google that your business is relevant and should be shown in local search results.