5 simple steps to the perfect Google Business Profile

15 min read Jun 13th 2025

Table of contents

  1. Register your business
  2. Build your profile
  3. Make your profile work harder for you
  4. Get reviews
  5. Keep your profile active

 

As a drone service provider, when someone needs aerial photography for their wedding, real estate listing, or construction project, you want to be the first drone services provider they find, right? You don't want to be buried on page three of Google where nobody ever ventures.

The good news is that you don't need a fancy website or a massive marketing budget to get noticed online. You just need to know how to set up and optimize your Google Business Profile properly.

Your Google Business Profile is like your digital portfolio showcase, and when done right, it can be more powerful than having a traditional website. In fact, with more people doing "zero-click searches" - finding everything they need without leaving Google - your business profile might be the only interaction potential customers have with your drone services before deciding to contact you.

Why your google business profile matters more than you think for drone services

Here's the thing: with local searches resulting in purchases 28% of the time, it's a no-brainer that having a Google My Business (GMB) account can positively impact your website's traffic. But for drone service providers, it goes beyond just traffic. Local results are based primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence. A combination of these factors helps us find the best match for your search.

Think about your potential customers' behavior. When a real estate agent needs aerial shots of a property listing, or a couple wants stunning drone footage of their outdoor wedding, where do they go? Straight to Google to search for "drone services near me" or "aerial photography [their city]." Those first three local results that pop up with the map? That's the local 3-pack, and that's where you want to be.

The drone industry is incredibly visual, which makes Google Business Profile even more crucial. Your potential clients want to see your work before they hire you, and your GBP is the perfect place to showcase your aerial photography and videography skills.

Step 1: Register your business

Create your GMB account (if you haven't already)

First things first. You might already have a Google Business Profile without even knowing it. Google sometimes creates listings automatically based on publicly available information. Before creating a new one, search for your drone business name on Google or check Google Maps to see if you're already there.

If you find an existing listing, you can claim it. If not, head over to google.com/business and sign up using your business Gmail account (not your personal one, keep your drone business organized from the start).

Claim and verify your listing

This step is crucial because verified business locations are more likely to show in local search results across Google products, like Maps and Search. Google offers several verification methods:

  • Postcard verification (most common): Google mails a postcard with a verification code to your business address
  • Phone verification: For some drone businesses, you can verify instantly via phone call
  • Email verification: Available for certain business types
  • Instant verification: If you're already verified through Google Search Console

Don't rush this step. Without verification, your drone service profile won't appear in local search results, which defeats the entire purpose.

Step 2: Build your profile

Choose your categories wisely

This might sound simple, but choosing the right category is crucial for your drone business. Google offers over 4,100 categories and is constantly adding new ones. For drone services, depending on your niche, you might consider categories like:

  • Primary category: "Aerial Photographer" or "Video Production Service"
  • Secondary categories: "Photographer", "Wedding Service", "Real Estate Service", "Commercial Photographer"

I once worked with a drone service provider who switched their primary category from 'Photography Service' to 'Video Production Service' based on their main revenue stream. They saw a significant boost in inquiries for commercial video work.

You can choose one primary category and up to nine secondary categories. Be strategic about this; think about what your customers are actually searching for - this is commonly referred to as "search intent". Are they looking for "wedding videographer", "real estate photographer" or "construction site monitoring"?

Here's a pro tip: Don't start with six categories. Get the primary one perfect. Add others later.

Nail your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number)

NAP accuracy consistently ranks among the top five most important local SEO factors. For drone service providers, this means:

  • Use your business name consistently (e.g. "SkyView Drone Services")
  • Format your address consistently across all platforms
  • Use your primary business phone number (if you don't have a dedicated number use a service like yay.com or sonetel.com)
  • Keep this information identical across your website, social media, and other online directories

Many drone operators work from home offices, which is perfectly fine. Just be consistent with whatever address you choose to list.

Complete every single field

The completeness of your Google Business Profile not only helps Google rank you higher in local search results, but it also increases the number of actions customers take when they find your profile.

For drone services, make sure to fill out:

  • Business description: "Professional drone services specializing in real estate photography, wedding videography, and commercial aerial inspections. NAA certified with 5+ years experience."
  • Hours of operation: Include weekend availability if you shoot events
  • Website URL: Link to your website or LinkedIn page if you don't have a website yet
  • Phone number: Make it easy for urgent bookings
  • Services: List all of your specific offerings like "Real Estate Photography", "Wedding Videography", "Construction Site Monitoring", "Agricultural Surveys"
  • Service areas: Specify which cities/regions you cover
  • Q&A: Add three or four questions and answer them from a customer's perspective, e.g. "Are you available on weekends", "Do you have insurance", "What are your qualifications", "What areas of [location] do you cover"

Don't forget to mention your FAA Part 107 (US), EASA (EU), or CAA (UK) certification and insurance coverage, these are huge trust factors for potential clients.

Step 3: Make your profile work harder for you

Upload high-quality photos and videos regularly

This is where drone service providers have a massive advantage. Your work is inherently visual and stunning. Upload:

  • Your best aerial shots: Showcase different types of properties and landscapes
  • Before/after shots: Great for real estate and construction clients
  • Behind-the-scenes content: You setting up equipment, in action during shoots
  • Client testimonials: Screenshots of happy reviews or testimonials
  • Sample video thumbnails: Link to your YouTube channel or Vimeo

Upload new photos at least once a month, weekly if possible. Fresh aerial imagery signals to Google that your drone business is active and current. Plus, potential clients love seeing recent work.

Get smart about your business hours

Here's something specific to drone services: consider listing extended hours if you're available for emergency or urgent shoots. Real estate agents often need quick turnarounds, and construction companies might need site monitoring outside typical business hours.

If you offer sunrise/sunset shoots (which are often the most dramatic), make sure your hours reflect your actual availability. You might list something like "By appointment - specializing in golden hour aerial photography."

Leverage the power of posts

Google Business Profile posts work like mini portfolio updates for drone services. Use them to:

  • Share recent aerial photography projects (with client permission)
  • Announce seasonal specials (wedding season, real estate busy periods)
  • Highlight new equipment or capabilities
  • Post weather-related updates ("Great flying conditions this week!")
  • Share educational content about video or photography tips

These posts appear directly in your profile and can include calls-to-action like "Book your aerial shoot today!"

Step 4: Get reviews

Reviews are incredibly important for service-based businesses like drone operations. Potential clients want to know that you're reliable, professional, and produce quality work.

How to get more reviews for your drone business

  • Ask immediately after successful shoots: While clients are still excited about their footage
  • Include review requests in your follow-up emails: Send the footage along with a polite review request
  • Make it easy: Provide direct links to your Google review page
  • Respond to all reviews: Thank clients for positive reviews and address any concerns professionally
  • Follow up on big projects: Weddings and real estate shoots often lead to enthusiastic reviews
  • Ask them to include local keywords - if your reviews contain keywords associated with your service and location, that's all golden content for Google ranking

Here's an example: "Hey would you mind leaving a quick review? It really helps. If you can mention the service and your area, it makes a big difference. Thanks in advance."

For drone services, you want reviews to mention specific details like "arrived on time for our wedding in Sacramento", "extremely professional in providing stunning aerial footage of our house in Richmond", and "amazing construction shots for our new build in York" These keywords help your ranking for relevant searches.

Step 5: Keep your profile active

Treat it like your digital portfolio

Your Google Business Profile should be treated like a constantly updated portfolio. This means:

  • Posting new aerial shots regularly: Show your range and recent work
  • Responding to messages quickly: Many drone bookings are time-sensitive
  • Updating your service areas: If you expand to new regions
  • Seasonal adjustments: Wedding season vs. real estate season content

Enable messaging for quick bookings

Let potential clients text or call you directly through your profile. This is crucial for drone services because many bookings are weather-dependent or time-sensitive. A real estate agent might need aerial shots before a listing goes live, or a couple might want to book for their engagement shoot.

Monitor your analytics

Google provides valuable insights about:

  • Peak inquiry times: When are people searching for drone services?
  • Popular search terms: Are they finding you through "wedding videographer" or "aerial photographer"?
  • Photo performance: Which aerial shots get the most views?
  • Customer actions: Are people calling, messaging, or visiting your website?

Use this data to optimize your posting schedule and content strategy.

Closing thoughts: Your profile is your aerial showcase

Setting up your Google Business Profile isn't just about getting found online; it's about showcasing your aerial expertise and making the right first impression when potential clients discover your drone services. A well-optimized profile boosts your visibility, credibility, and engagement, ultimately leading to more bookings.

Remember, this isn't a "set it and forget it" situation. Your Google Business Profile is a living showcase of your drone work that needs regular updates with fresh aerial content. The drone service providers that rank highest in local search results aren't necessarily the ones with the most experience; they're the ones who consistently maintain and optimize their online presence.

Start with the basics: claim your profile, verify your location, and fill out every field. Then gradually add the advanced strategies like regular posting of your best aerial shots, active review management, and showcasing the full range of your drone services.

Your future clients are already searching for drone services in your area. Whether they need real estate photography, wedding videography, construction monitoring, or agricultural surveys, make sure they find you first.

The best part? Unlike paid advertising, optimizing your Google Business Profile is completely free. It just takes time, consistency, and attention to detail; plus some stunning aerial content that shows off what your drones can do.

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