At a Glance
- Time: ~45–90 min/day for 7 days
- Outcome: Verified GBP, tracking live, LSA applied or review system running, follow-up templates ready
- Realistic leads: 5–15 qualified inquiries in week 2–3 as GBP and reviews compound
- Prerequisites: Business license info, 15–20 photos, list of cities served, dedicated phone or tracking line
- After day 7: Scorecard → Ultimate Guide 90-day roadmap
Day 1: Nail Your Google Business Profile
This is the single highest-leverage free action for most contractors. A verified, photo-rich, actively posted profile gets you into the local pack fast and compounds over time.
Gather prep materials first (15 min): GBP Setup Prep — photos, services, hours, service areas.
Do the full setup following the master guide:
See Google Business Profile Mastery for exact steps (service-area vs storefront, verification, optimization).
Condensed Day-1 checklist:
- Claim or create your profile at business.google.com and get verified (phone code for most service-area businesses, or business video if you have a physical location).
- Add every service you offer with accurate names customers actually search; include pricing and descriptions where helpful.
- Upload 20–30+ high-quality photos (720×720 most; cover 1024×576) — trucks, action shots, before/after, logo.
- Write a compelling description (under 750 chars) + accurate hours + full service areas/cities.
- Turn on messaging, seed Q&A with 5–10 common questions, enable notifications, publish your first post.
Critical: Most trades should answer No to physical location and list every service area you cover.
Day 2: Set Up Basic Tracking
You cannot improve what you do not measure. Full guide: Tracking setup.
- Get a dedicated tracking phone number (Google Voice, CallRail, or similar).
- Put that number on GBP, website header, and ad platforms per their rules.
- Create a simple sheet or CRM columns: Date | Source | Service | Quoted | Booked | Revenue | Response time (min).
- Enable call recording if legal in your state — coach weekly.
Success check: Submit a test form or call your tracking line and confirm the log entry appears same day.
Day 3: Launch or Optimize Google Local Services Ads
For most home service businesses in supported categories, LSA is the best paid starting point in 2026.
| Channel | Pay model | Typical CPL | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google LSA | Per lead | $15–$65 | Emergency + scheduled work |
| Google Search Ads | Per click | $4–$18 | Keywords + landing pages |
| Meta Ads | Per lead/click | $8–$30+ | Seasonal offers, visual trades |
Action items:
- Confirm category eligibility — LSA guide eligibility section
- Apply or log in; upload license + insurance
- Set a weekly budget you can sustain 4 weeks ($300–$800 test range for many trades)
- Connect tracking number; turn on lead notifications for 2 people
- Write a 30-second intake script — Scripts
Not eligible yet? Read LSA vs Google Ads and prioritize reviews + Search test instead.
Day 4: Start a Simple Review Engine
Reviews are free marketing that boost every other channel.
Weekly system:
- Text every completed job within 30 minutes with a review link.
- Follow up once if no review after 3 days.
- Reply to every new review within 24 hours.
Templates: Reviews & Referrals · Templates.
Target: 3–5 new Google reviews this week (ramp to 3–5/week ongoing).
Day 5: Fix Your Highest-Traffic Touchpoint
Pick one:
- Website: Mobile click-to-call above fold, one service + city in H1 — Website basics
- No site yet: Strengthen GBP services, posts, and Q&A as your primary landing experience
- Running ads: One dedicated landing page matching your top offer (not a generic homepage)
Success check: Open your site on your phone — count taps to dial. Target: 1 tap.
Day 6: Build Follow-Up Templates
Copy and customize 2 sequences from Templates:
- Missed-call text-back (send in 60 seconds)
- Quote follow-up (24 hours after estimate if no reply)
Paste into your phone shortcuts or CRM. Train whoever answers to use the two-time booking ask from Scripts. If you have office help, start the Front Office Playbook week-one training.
Day 7: Review, Measure, Plan Week 2
Sunday 15-minute ritual:
- Count leads by source in your sheet
- Note median response time — target <5 min on LSA/paid
- Mark booked jobs; rough cost per booked if you spent on ads
- Run numbers in Metrics simulator if you have spend data
- Pick one double-down action for next week (more reviews, LSA budget, or GBP posts)
Next 30 days: Keep the flywheel — GBP posts, reviews, fast response. See Ultimate Guide 90-day roadmap.
If You Only Do 3 Things
- Complete GBP (Day 1) with 20+ photos and all service areas
- Respond in <5 minutes to every new lead with missed-call text-back
- Ask for 3+ reviews this week from happy customers
Then take the Scorecard for your personalized week-2 priorities.
Deeper dives: sidebar guides, Local SEO, Speed-to-Lead, Front Office Playbook.