Website vs. Google Business Profile
They're not competing with each other — they do two different jobs, and most trades businesses need both.
The short version
Google Business Profile gets you found. A website is what you're found at.
Google Business Profile (GBP) is the free listing that shows up in Google Maps and the "local pack" of map results when someone searches "[your trade] near me." It shows your hours, phone number, reviews, and photos. Your website is the destination someone lands on when they want more than that quick snapshot — your full service list, your past work, and a way to actually request a quote.
What each one actually covers
Side by side
Google Business Profile
- Free to set up and maintain
- Shows in Google Maps and local map-pack results
- Displays hours, phone, basic photos, and reviews
- Limited control over layout or detailed service info
- Can link out to your website, if you have one
Website
- You own and control it completely
- Full service list, service area, and past-work gallery
- A real way to request a quote (not just a phone number)
- Builds search visibility over time, beyond just map results
- Makes your business look established to someone comparing options
Why both together work best
The typical customer path
Someone searches your trade plus their town. Your Google Business Profile shows up in the map results — that gets you noticed. They click through (or click your GBP link) to your actual website to see more before they call. Having only the first half of that path means you're relying entirely on your GBP photos and reviews to close the sale; having both means your website can do the convincing your GBP listing doesn't have room for.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a website and a Google Business Profile?
Yes, ideally. Google Business Profile is free and gets you into local map results and reviews. Your website is where someone lands once they click through, and it's what makes you look established rather than unfinished.
Is Google Business Profile free?
Yes, it's a free tool from Google. It's one of the first things any local trades business should set up, regardless of whether you also have a website.
Can Google Business Profile replace a website entirely?
It can work as a stopgap, but it's limited — you can't fully control layout, showcase a photo gallery of past work the way a website can, or build the kind of long-term search presence a real site builds over time.
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Last reviewed: July 9, 2026