Does Google Business Profile Management Actually Work? A Real Case Study
Sep 11, 2025
Watch this 90-second case study video to see the dramatic results.
If you're a local business owner wondering whether investing in Google Business Profile management is worth it, you're asking the right question. With so many digital marketing services promising the world, it's natural to be sceptical.
Today, I want to share a real case study that demonstrates exactly what's possible when Google Business Profile management is done right.
The Challenge: An HVAC Company Lost in the Digital Crowd
In March 2024, we started working with an air conditioning company based in North London. Despite being established and offering quality services, they faced a problem that plagues thousands of local businesses: they were invisible when it mattered most.
When potential customers searched for "HVAC" or "air conditioning" in their area, this company was nowhere to be found. In fact, they only ranked #3 in their immediate location and dropped to #9 or lower as searches moved further out. In many areas, they didn't appear in search results at all.
For a local service business, this is a death sentence. Why? Because fewer than 10% of people ever look past the top 3 Google Maps results. If you're not in those top spots, you might as well not exist online.
The Transformation: From Invisible to Dominant
Fast forward to August 2024 – just five months later – and the transformation was remarkable.
For HVAC searches:
- March starting position: #3 in their immediate area, #9+ everywhere else
- August position: #1-2 across virtually their entire service area
For air conditioning searches:
- March starting position: Average rank of #10 across their service area
- August position: #1-3 across most of North London
The visual difference on the ranking maps tells the whole story. What were once red dots (indicating poor rankings or no visibility) and scattered orange dots (positions 4-9) became a sea of green dots representing those coveted #1-3 positions.
What This Means in Real Business Terms
When you dominate local search results like this, you're not just getting better "rankings" – you're capturing real business opportunities.
The #1 position alone captures over 30% of all local search traffic. Think about what that means for a moment. If 1,000 people in your area search for your services each month, being #1 means 300 of them will see your business first.
For this HVAC company, the transformation meant:
- Maximum visibility when customers need their services most
- More phone calls and enquiries
- Increased competitive advantage over local rivals
- A stronger foundation for long-term business growth
The Reality of Local Search Competition
Here's what many business owners don't realize: your competition isn't standing still. While you're wondering if Google Business Profile management works, your competitors might already be investing in it.
In competitive local markets like North London, the businesses that appear in those top 3 spots didn't get there by accident. They're there because they understand that local search optimization is no longer optional – it's essential.
The Investment That Pays for Itself
The question isn't really whether Google Business Profile management works. As this case study proves, it absolutely does when executed properly. The real question is: what's the cost of not doing it?
Consider this: if proper Google Business Profile management helps you capture just one additional customer per month, it typically pays for itself. Everything beyond that first customer is pure growth.
For the HVAC company in our case study, moving from scattered visibility to consistent #1-2 rankings across their service area represents a fundamental shift in their business's online presence and revenue potential.
What Makes Google Business Profile Management Effective
Success in local search isn't just about claiming your business profile and hoping for the best. It requires:
- Strategic optimization of your business profile for maximum relevance
- Consistent review management to build trust and authority
- Local SEO techniques that signal relevance to Google's algorithms
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustment based on performance data
The businesses that succeed are those that treat their Google Business Profile as a crucial business asset, not an afterthought.
The Bottom Line
Google Business Profile management works – but only when it's done strategically and consistently. The case study we've shared isn't an exception; it's what happens when you invest in proper local search optimization.
If you're tired of watching competitors appear above you in search results, if you're frustrated by the phone not ringing despite offering excellent services, then it might be time to take control of your local search presence.
The question is: how long will you wait while your competitors capture the customers that should be calling you?