If you run a fence company and you want more calls, leads, or jobs in your local area, you need to care about your online presence. One of the biggest tools to help with that is something called GBP. It stands for Google Business Profile.
Many fence contractors either haven’t set it up, or they’ve set it and forgotten it. That’s a mistake.
Let’s break down what GBP is, why it matters, and how it can bring you more work.
What Is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free listing from Google. It lets you show up on Google Search and Google Maps when people nearby search for things like “fence installation near me” or “fence repair in [your city].”
It’s kind of like your online business card, but it’s much more than that.
With GBP, you can:
- Show your business name, phone number, and website
- Share your location and hours
- Post photos of your work
- Get and respond to reviews
- Answer common questions from customers
- Post updates, promos, or news
When someone searches for your service, your GBP listing is often the first thing they’ll see.
Why GBP Matters for Fence Companies
Most people looking for a fence contractor want someone local. They’re not hunting through websites for hours. They Google something quick, look at the top results, check out some reviews, and make a call.
If your GBP is set up and active, you have a shot at being one of those top results. If it’s not, you’re missing leads.
Here’s what GBP can help you with:
1. More Local Leads
When your profile is set up right, you show up when people search nearby. These are high intent people who are ready to hire.
2. Builds Trust
People trust reviews. If you have a solid rating and a few good pictures, that’s often all it takes to get the phone ringing.
3. Shows You’re Active
Google looks at how often you update your profile. Post photos, answer reviews, and you’ll look more reliable. Google likes that.
4. Free and Easy to Update
There’s no cost to have a GBP. It’s easy to manage if you make it part of your weekly routine.
What a Good GBP Looks Like
Not all profiles are the same. A bad one won’t help much. A strong one can bring in leads day after day.
Here’s what a good GBP should have:
| Element | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Use your real business name |
| Address | Add your office or service area |
| Phone Number | Use a number you answer |
| Website | Link to your main site |
| Categories | Choose “Fence Contractor” and related ones |
| Photos | Add job photos, team photos, and before/after |
| Reviews | Ask happy clients to leave honest reviews |
| Hours | Keep them accurate |
| Posts | Share updates or promos weekly |
How to Set Up or Improve Your GBP
If you don’t have one yet, go to google.com/business and follow the steps. It’s free and doesn’t take long.
If you already have one, here’s how to make it better:
Keep Info Updated
Check your phone number, hours, and website. Make sure everything is correct.
Add Good Photos
Photos help people see the quality of your work. Add pictures of fence installs, repairs, and even your truck or crew.
Get More Reviews
Ask your happy customers to leave reviews. Make it part of your closeout process.
Respond to Reviews
Reply to each review, good or bad. Keep it polite and simple. It shows you care.
Use Posts Feature
Google lets you post updates. Use it to talk about sales, new services, or reminders like “Spring is a good time for fence work.”
Common Mistakes Fence Contractors Make
There are some things that can hurt your chances of showing up well in search. Avoid these:
- Using fake addresses
- Stuffing the name with extra words like “#1 Fence Co in Town!”
- Never updating photos
- Ignoring reviews
Google may lower your rank or even suspend your profile if it sees shady stuff.
GBP vs. Your Website
Your website is still important. But think of GBP as the front porch. It’s the first place people stop. If it looks good, they’ll come inside (to your website) or call you right from there.
You don’t need to pick one over the other. They work best together.
What Google Looks For
Google uses a few things to decide what businesses to show first:
- Relevance: Does your business match the search?
- Distance: How close are you to the person searching?
- Prominence: Are people clicking, reviewing, and engaging with your listing?
You can’t control distance, but you can make sure your listing is complete and active. That helps a lot.
Quick Wins to Boost Your GBP
If you’re short on time, try these first:
- Add 5-10 job photos
- Ask 3 recent clients to leave a review
- Check that all info is correct
- Pick the best main category (Fence Contractor)
- Write one new post this week
Is GBP Enough?
GBP is powerful, but it’s just one part of local marketing. Here’s how it fits into a full plan:
| Tool | What It Does |
| GBP | Shows you in local searches |
| Website | Gives full info and builds trust |
| SEO | Helps your site rank in regular Google |
| Local SEO | Focuses on maps and local keywords |
| Facebook Ads | Grabs attention from homeowners nearby |
| Google Ads | Targets people who are ready to hire |
You don’t need to do everything at once, but start with GBP. It’s free, simple, and works.
Final Thoughts
If you want more local fence jobs, don’t ignore Google Business Profile. It might not feel like a big deal, but it plays a huge role in whether or not you show up when people search.
The good news? It doesn’t cost a dime. You just need to use it the right way.
And if it feels like a hassle, that’s exactly why I built FenceWebs. We handle GBP, websites, SEO, ads, and more, only for fence companies. No one else.
Whether you do it yourself or get help, take GBP seriously. Your next customer is probably already looking for you.
Make sure they find you.
