Why Unique Photos Are So Important on Google Business Profile (aka GMB)

OK, first of all: Know how Google likes to switch it up from time to time just for “fun”? Well, they’ve done it again: Google My Business is now Google Business Profile.

If you’re thinking, “Big whoop,” well… it really is a big whoop—because with the name change comes new ways to manage your profile. Liiike, the GMB app is *poof* disappearing in July 2022 and, instead, you’ll manage everything from search or Maps.

I’ll give you the full scoop on Google Business Profile in an upcoming post. But for now, let’s focus on one of the most powerful—and underused—features of the GMB/Business Profile ecosystem: photos.

In this post, I’ll walk you through:

• Why Google Business Profile photos matter for home services companies.
• What Google Business Profile photos you should post.
• What your photos should (and should not) look like.
• What size photos to use.
• What to do about user-generated photos.
• How often to post new images to your Google Business Profile.

More Photos Means More Customers 

According to Google itself, businesses that include photos on their Business Profiles get up to 35% more clicks than businesses that don’t.

Why? I’ll spare you the neuroscience nerdiness, but here’s the gist: More than 50% of the surface of our brain is devoted to processing visual information, which indicates just how important images are to our understanding of the world around us.

So, when you include photos in your Google Business Profile, you help customers discover and understand your services. And when people understand something, they’re more likely to engage with it. 

Also? Having photos in your Google Business Profile shows Google you mean business, which means you’ll get better visibility on Maps.

Google Business Profile Photos for Home Services Companies

Say what you will about the pain-in-the-neck-ness of Google, but the company actually tries really hard to help you more successfully attract customers.

For example, Google clearly spells out the types and numbers of images you should use. Include at least three of each of the following in your Google Business Profile:

• Exterior photos. As a home services company, you may not have customers stop by your shop very often. Post photos of your building anyway—from different angles and different times of the day. Doing so helps customers see—literally—the type of business you run. If your building is well cared for, they may assume you’ll take good care of their home, too. 
• Interior photos. Again, customers may never set foot in your building. But seeing what your office, break room, warehouse, and reception area look like gives people a sense of who you are. If you take pride in your home base, that suggests you take pride in your work, too. (If your place is in disrepair, clean it up before you take the photos. Obviously.)
• Action shots. Include photos of your techs doing their thing, particularly if you offer specialty services your competitors don’t. These photos help your customers understand quickly what kinds of problems you solve, without having to read a bunch of text. And, again, if your techs look clean and pleasant, it helps customers begin to trust you before they’ve ever even picked up the phone.
• Team photos. In business, the most human brand wins. When customers can imagine who might pick up the phone when they call or who might knock on their door to rescue them from a cranky water heater, they feel more comfortable making that first contact.

A Word About Authenticity

Many home services customers are really unhappy when they hit Google looking for a “plumber near me.” 

They’re frustrated because they don’t speak plumbing. They’re irritated because you’re the last thing they’d like to spend money on today. And they’re absolutely certain that because they’re in a vulnerable position, you’re going to rip them off. 

In short, they don’t trust you.

But… if you do a good job with your Google Business Profile images, at least some of that mistrust will start to melt away.

By “good job,” I mean photos that aren’t cheesy or toooooooo professional. Images that smack of staged send customers’ B.S. meter into the red zone fast. So don’t try to be perfect; just be real. 

Size Matters

Unless you want your business’s photos to be stretched all to heck or squashed beyond all recognition, be sure to follow the Google Business Profile image size guidelines:

• Recommended image size (resolution) 720 x 720 px.
• Minimum resolution: 250 x 250 px.
• File size between 10 KB and 5 MB.

By the way, policies matter, too. So be sure the photos you’re uploading to your Business Profile follow Google’s latest rules.

User-Generated Photos

Surprise: You aren’t the only person who can upload photos to your Google Business Profile! Your customers can, too.

In the home services business, this happens pretty rarely. But it does happen, so you should know about it. (And you will know if someone posts a photo to your Profile, because Google will tell you so.)

User-generated photos can actually be good for you. It shows Google and potential customers that actual humans are engaged with your business. But if the photos are bad news, you’ll want to do something about that. Fortunately, Google makes it easy to remove user-generated photos.

• Go to the photo.
• On the top right, click “Report a problem.”
• Choose the violation type, and then click “Report.”

Create a Google Business Profile Habit

Think of your Google Business Profile as an opportunity to show customers (and Google) that your business is alive, well, and ready to help people. 

In short, don’t let your profile grow stale. Regularly update your images to include new team members and new services. Delete out-of-date images. Repurpose images you’ve used on social media. 

Google will reward you. And your prospects will, too!

Make the Most of Google Business Profile

Having a fully optimized Google Business Profile can be the difference between obscurity and visibility. We’d love to help you get seen. Schedule your 100% free, 0% pressure consultation today.