Google Business Profile Q&A: turn common questions into booked jobs featured image
Marketing & Sales

Google Business Profile Q&A: turn common questions into booked jobs

TrainAR Team 29 days ago 6 min read

Google Business Profile Q&A: turn common questions into booked jobs

Category: Marketing & Sales • Niche: Local SEO, Google Business Profile, WhatsApp follow-up, deposits

Contents

Quick answer

Google’s Questions and Answers sits on your Business Profile in Maps and often when someone opens your listing from the map results. You can seed your own FAQ by posting the questions and answering them from your owner account. Use it to pre‑qualify leads (areas covered, call‑out fees, deposits, photo requirements) so time‑wasters don’t call and serious customers move straight to booking.

  • It shows consistently in Google Maps and when people click from the map pack, but may not appear on every single branded search panel.
  • Keep the first line of each answer clear and action‑focused. Example: “Yes, we cover BS1–BS16 and charge a £60 call‑out which is deducted from the job.”

Useful references: Google’s own guidance on improving local ranking, and trusted explainers on how Q&A visibility currently works from BrightLocal and Whitespark.

What’s changed with Q&A in 2025

  • Q&A still exists in the UK and remains visible on Maps and profiles opened from the map pack.
  • Google is retiring the public Q&A API in November 2025. That doesn’t remove Q&A from listings; it mainly affects software tools.
  • Google is piloting an AI “Ask Maps” experience in the US. No UK rollout announced yet. Expect presentation changes, not the idea of answering customer questions.

Sources: Google Developers note on the Q&A API change‑log, DAC’s explainer on visibility updates.

Who this helps

  • Electricians and plumbers taking lots of short jobs where travel time kills margin.
  • Roofers and builders needing to filter for access, materials lead times and up‑front deposits.
  • Service‑area businesses that don’t show a shopfront but still want clean, qualified enquiries.

Set up a lead‑winning Q&A in 20 minutes

  1. Find your Q&A panel
  • On desktop, open Google Maps, search your business, open your listing, scroll to Q&A. If you don’t see it, click through from the map results rather than a single “knowledge panel” view.
  • On mobile, open Google Maps, search your business, scroll to Q&A.
  1. Seed real questions
  • Post the most common 6 to 10 questions customers ask on first contact. Do this from any Google account. Keep them short and plain.
  1. Answer from the business owner account
  • While signed into your owner/manager account, answer each question clearly. Put the key info in the first sentence. Avoid salesy fluff.
  1. Turn on alerts
  • Ensure notifications for new Q&A are enabled in your Google Maps app so nothing sits unanswered.
  1. Refresh quarterly
  • Update prices, service areas and policy changes. Pin or up‑vote your best answers so they show first.

Reference setup guides: Google Maps help on asking and answering questions and Whitespark’s best practices.

Templates you can copy

Edit the bold bits to your trade and patch. Keep answers under 3 lines where possible.

  • Q: Do you cover [town/postcodes]? A: Yes. We cover [areas, e.g., BS1–BS16, Keynsham, Bath]. Jobs outside this area may include a travel fee.

  • Q: What’s your call‑out fee? A: Weekdays 8–5: £[amount] including the first [x] minutes. Evenings/weekends: £[amount]. The fee is deducted from the job if we proceed.

  • Q: Do you take deposits? A: For parts over £[amount] or jobs over £[value], we take a [percent] deposit via card link to secure a slot. It’s itemised on your receipt.

  • Q: How soon can you attend emergencies? A: Typical ETA in [town] is [timeframe]. For faster help, call us and send a photo of the issue so we bring the right kit.

  • Q: What photos do you need for a quote? A: Wide photo, close‑up of the issue, and any labels/ratings plates. Include postcode and access notes.

  • Q: Do you remove waste? A: Yes, small job waste included. Larger disposals are priced separately and listed on the quote.

  • Q: Are you insured and accredited? A: Yes, £[value] public liability. Memberships: [e.g., NICEIC/Gas Safe]. Certificates provided on completion where applicable.

  • Q: Do you offer warranties? A: Labour warranty [x months]; parts per manufacturer. We’ll state both on your invoice.

Connect Q&A to WhatsApp follow‑ups

Once a prospect reads your Q&A, make it easy to book.

  • Add a line in your answers: “Message us on WhatsApp to book or send photos.” You can use a direct link like https://wa.me/ followed by your full number in international format.
  • If you use invoice software (Xero/QuickBooks/GoCardless/Stripe), create a “deposit” item and send a payment link in WhatsApp to secure the slot. See our guide to stopping disputes with clear evidence and SCA flows: Stop chargebacks on site.
  • For review growth, pair this with our QR code guide: Set up a Google reviews QR code for your vans and invoices.

Measure impact in GBP Insights

  • Watch “Messages,” “Calls,” and “Website clicks” after you seed Q&A. Look for lifts in actions, not just views.
  • Note which questions customers repeat on the phone. If one keeps coming up, rewrite that answer’s first line.
  • Track call‑out acceptance and deposit conversion rate before/after adding Q&A. Even a small uplift pays for the 20‑minute setup.

Pitfalls and how to avoid them

  • Don’t keyword‑stuff. Use natural language customers use in your patch.
  • Don’t ignore third‑party answers. Correct wrong info politely and up‑vote the right one.
  • Don’t leave prices stale. If your call‑out or deposit rules change, update the Q&A the same day.
  • If Q&A isn’t visible on a branded search panel, open the listing in Maps or from the map results instead. Visibility varies by surface but it’s still there.

FAQs

  • Is Q&A gone in the UK? No. It’s still visible in Maps and on profiles opened from map results. Google is changing the API and testing an AI “Ask Maps” in the US, but UK listings still show Q&A.

  • Can service‑area businesses use Q&A? Yes. SABs and storefronts work the same for Q&A. Focus on relevance, distance and prominence by keeping your profile complete and answers helpful.

  • Should I add phone numbers or links in answers? Keep it simple. A phone number is fine. Avoid long links. Use a short WhatsApp link if you want easy messaging.

  • How many questions should I seed? Start with 6 to 10. Review quarterly. Up‑vote the most helpful so they stay on top.

  • Does Q&A boost rankings? Not directly. It helps conversion and reduces back‑and‑forth. Better customer actions can correlate with stronger local presence over time.

Want to slash training times and increase revenue per Engineer? Join our Waitlist: https://trainar.ai/waitlist