Free tools and guides for Lubbock business owners.

01 Get on Google from zero

Your free Google listing is what shows on Maps and in search when someone looks you up.

• Go to business.google.com and add your business. Use your real business name only, with no taglines or extra keywords. Google's rules don't allow them.
• If you go to your customers (plumber, roofer, cleaner), hide your home address and set a service area. Google says it shouldn't reach farther than about 2 hours' drive from where you're based.
• Verify it. Google picks how you verify (for example phone, text, email or video), and you can't change the options it gives you.

Sources: Google Business Profile guidelines · Google: verify your business

02 Show you're licensed and insured

People want to know you're legit before they let you in the house.

• If your trade needs a state license, put the license number on your website, your quotes and your truck.
• Many Texas trades are licensed through TDLR, and anyone can check an active license on TDLR's public search. Make sure yours is current.
• Only say you're insured if you are, and keep a copy of your certificate ready to send when someone asks.

Source: TDLR license search

03 Put your contact info in every post

Someone who sees your post shouldn't have to go hunting for your number.

• Phone number and town in every Facebook post and group reply.
• Use the same business name, phone number and address everywhere you're listed.
• Use your own local number. Google asks for a phone number the business controls directly, and a local one instead of a call-center line whenever possible.

Source: Google Business Profile guidelines

04 Post real work photos

Photos of your own jobs show you actually did the work. Stock photos can't do that.

• Snap before and after on every job. Your crew, your truck, your work.
• Add them to your Google listing and your website, not just Facebook.
• Say what it was and where: "Roof replacement, Wolfforth." Get the homeowner's OK before showing their house.

05 Show a starting price

A price gives people a reason to call instead of guessing.

• Put "Starts at $___" or "Most jobs run $___ to $___" on your website and your Google listing.
• Say what makes the price go up or down, like size, materials or a same-day call.
• Keep it honest. If you can't quote without seeing the job, say so and say how fast you can come look.

06 Reply the same day

The longer a message sits, the more time they have to call someone else.

• Check calls, texts and messages at lunch and again before you close.
• Set an auto-reply that says when you'll get back to them.
• Missed a call? Text them back the same day. Not sure how many slip by? Try the free Missed-Call Check.

07 Answer requests in local groups

When somebody posts "anybody know a good ___?", that's a customer asking out loud.

• Reply with your name, what you do, your town and your phone number. Don't just drop a link.
• Read the group's rules first. Some don't allow business posts except in replies.
• Be the neighbor who helps. Answer the question even when the job isn't a fit for you.

08 Ask for reviews the right way

Recent reviews count. BrightLocal's 2026 consumer survey found 74% of people only care about reviews written in the last three months.

• Ask every customer, happy or not. Google doesn't let businesses selectively ask only happy customers.
• No discounts, freebies or payment for reviews. Google removes incentivized reviews, and the FTC bans rewards tied to a positive review.
• Send the link the same day you finish the job, and reply to every review, good or bad.

Sources: BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey 2026 · Google Maps review policy · FTC reviews rule Q&A