A clear, complete listing answers a customer’s questions before they pick up the phone. Here’s how to write one that earns the call.
Start with what customers search for
People rarely search for a business name they don’t know yet. They search for a service and a place: “emergency plumber in Austin” or “family dentist near me.” Your listing title and first sentence should say plainly what you do and where you do it.
Avoid clever slogans in the opening line. A visitor scanning a directory decides in seconds whether you are relevant, so lead with the service, then the area you cover.
Fill in every detail you can
A phone number, a full street address, a website and opening hours each remove a reason to hesitate. Missing details make people wonder whether a business is still operating.
If you serve customers at their location rather than at a storefront, say which towns or neighborhoods you cover so people outside that area don’t waste a call.
- Business name exactly as it appears on your signage
- Primary category and any secondary services
- Phone, email and website
- Address or service area
- Opening hours, including weekends
Describe the work, not just the company
Two or three short paragraphs are enough. Explain the main jobs you take on, who you usually work with and what makes booking easy. Specifics such as “same-day callouts” or “free written estimates” are more persuasive than general claims about quality.
Keep it current
Revisit your listing whenever something changes: new hours, a new phone line, an added service. An accurate listing builds trust, and a claimed, verified listing tells visitors a real owner stands behind it.
