## Appendix A: GBP Audit Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist to audit your existing Google Business Profile or ensure your new profile is fully optimized. Print this page and check off each item as you complete it.

### Profile Completeness

**Basic Information:**
- [ ] Business name matches legal name or DBA exactly
- [ ] Primary category is set to "Handyman" or "Handyman service"
- [ ] Secondary categories added (e.g., "Remodeler," "Carpenter," "Contractor")
- [ ] Business description is complete (750 characters) and includes services and service area
- [ ] Phone number is correct and matches website footer
- [ ] Website URL is correct and points to homepage or GBP landing page
- [ ] Service area is defined (cities or radius)
- [ ] Business hours are accurate for each day of the week
- [ ] Special hours set for upcoming holidays

**Attributes:**
- [ ] Relevant attributes selected (e.g., "Veteran-owned," "Family-owned," "Online estimates")
- [ ] "On-site services" attribute enabled
- [ ] Payment methods listed
- [ ] Accessibility features noted if applicable

**Services:**
- [ ] At least 5-10 individual services listed
- [ ] Each service has a description (300+ characters)
- [ ] Price ranges or starting prices added where possible
- [ ] Services match what's offered on your website

**Appointment URL:**
- [ ] Booking link added (contact form, scheduling tool, or quote page)
- [ ] Link tested and working correctly

### Photos and Media

**Logo and Cover:**
- [ ] Logo uploaded (square format, 250x250px minimum)
- [ ] Cover photo uploaded (landscape format, 1024x576px minimum)
- [ ] Cover photo shows you, your team, or your work

**Work Photos:**
- [ ] At least 20 project photos uploaded
- [ ] Before/after pairs included
- [ ] Photos are high-resolution and well-lit
- [ ] Photos show variety of services (deck repair, doors, drywall, etc.)
- [ ] Photos include close-ups of quality craftsmanship
- [ ] Photos updated within the last 3 months

**Team Photos:**
- [ ] Owner/founder professional headshot uploaded
- [ ] Team photos included if you have employees
- [ ] Work vehicle with branding photographed

**Service-Specific Photos:**
- [ ] Photos added to individual service listings
- [ ] Each major service has 2-3 dedicated photos

### Reviews and Reputation

**Review Generation:**
- [ ] Direct review link saved and ready to share
- [ ] Review request process established (text/email after job completion)
- [ ] Review request templates created
- [ ] Goal set for monthly review volume (3-5+ per month)

**Review Management:**
- [ ] All existing reviews have responses
- [ ] Response templates created for positive and negative reviews
- [ ] Review response time goal set (24-48 hours)
- [ ] Review monitoring system in place (email notifications enabled)

**Review Quality:**
- [ ] Average rating is 4.5+ stars
- [ ] Recent reviews (last 30 days) are positive
- [ ] Reviews mention specific services and locations
- [ ] No fake or incentivized reviews present

### Posts and Updates

**Google Posts:**
- [ ] At least one post published in the last 7 days
- [ ] Posting schedule established (weekly minimum)
- [ ] Post types vary (offers, updates, events)
- [ ] Posts include high-quality photos
- [ ] Posts have clear calls-to-action
- [ ] Seasonal promotions posted when relevant

### Messaging and Q&A

**Messaging:**
- [ ] Messaging feature enabled in GBP app
- [ ] Auto-reply message set for after-hours
- [ ] Response time goal set (15-30 minutes during business hours)
- [ ] Team member assigned to monitor messages

**Questions & Answers:**
- [ ] 5-10 common questions pre-answered
- [ ] Questions cover: pricing, licensing, service area, availability, free estimates
- [ ] Customer-submitted questions answered within 24 hours
- [ ] Answers include keywords naturally (service area cities, services)

### NAP Consistency

**Cross-Platform Verification:**
- [ ] GBP name matches website exactly
- [ ] GBP address matches website footer exactly
- [ ] GBP phone matches website exactly
- [ ] GBP phone matches Yelp listing
- [ ] GBP phone matches Angie's List listing
- [ ] GBP phone matches HomeAdvisor listing
- [ ] GBP phone matches Facebook page
- [ ] No variations in business name across platforms
- [ ] No variations in address format across platforms

**Multiple Locations:**
- [ ] Each location has unique phone number
- [ ] Each location has unique physical address
- [ ] Each location has dedicated website landing page
- [ ] Landing page URLs added to respective GBP listings

### Performance Monitoring

**Analytics Review:**
- [ ] GBP Insights checked monthly
- [ ] Search queries reviewed and documented
- [ ] Customer actions tracked (calls, clicks, directions, messages)
- [ ] Photo views monitored
- [ ] Competitor comparison reviewed
- [ ] Conversion rate calculated (actions ÷ views)

**Benchmarks:**
- [ ] Monthly search views: 500-2,000+
- [ ] Monthly customer actions: 50-200+
- [ ] Conversion rate: 5-15%
- [ ] Average rating: 4.5+ stars
- [ ] Review count growing 3-5+ per month

### Compliance and Guidelines

**Google Guidelines:**
- [ ] No keywords added to business name
- [ ] No fake reviews purchased or solicited
- [ ] No P.O. box used as address
- [ ] No duplicate profiles for same location
- [ ] No misleading information in description
- [ ] Business is verified with postcard or phone
- [ ] Profile has not been suspended or flagged

### Website Integration

**GBP Landing Pages:**
- [ ] Dedicated landing page created for this GBP location
- [ ] Landing page includes interactive map with service radius
- [ ] Landing page NAP matches GBP exactly
- [ ] Landing page includes location-specific testimonials
- [ ] Landing page includes LocalBusiness schema markup
- [ ] Landing page includes FAQ section
- [ ] GBP "Website" field points to landing page

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