Short answer: you can get calls with only a Google Business Profile, but you'll usually rank lower and lose customers who want to check you out first. A profile and a website work together: the profile gets you onto the map, and the website helps you rank higher and convinces people to call.
Plenty of contractors run on a Google profile alone, especially when they're starting out. Here's what you gain, and what you give up, by skipping the website.
What a Google Business Profile does well
- It's free and it puts you on Google Maps.
- It collects reviews, which customers trust.
- It has a call button right in the search results.
If you do nothing else this week, set one up. We've written a step-by-step guide to getting on Google Maps.
Where a profile alone falls short
1. You'll usually rank lower
Google ranks map results on relevance, distance and prominence. A website linked to your profile gives Google much more to work with: pages for each service you offer, the towns you cover, and other sites linking to you. A profile on its own has a short description and a list of services, and not much else.
2. Customers who compare will pick someone else
For bigger jobs like a roof, a repaint or a bathroom remodel, people compare two or three contractors before calling. When they tap "Website" on a competitor's listing, they see photos, licenses, warranties and prices. If your listing has no website, you often get skipped.
3. You only show up for a few searches
A website with a page for "cabinet painting" or "emergency roof repair" can show up for those exact searches, in the map and in the regular results underneath it. Without one, you're competing for the handful of searches your profile category covers.
4. You don't control it
Google can change, suspend or restrict profiles, sometimes by mistake. A website is the one piece of your online presence that's fully yours.
5. AI assistants need something to read
More homeowners now ask ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews or Perplexity for recommendations. These tools recommend businesses they can find clear, detailed information about, and a website is the best place to provide it.
Profile only vs. profile + website
| Profile only | Profile + website | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows on Google Maps | Yes | Yes, usually higher |
| Page for each service | No | Yes |
| Shows in regular search results | Rarely | Yes |
| Room for photos, warranties and licenses | Limited | Unlimited |
| Quote form | No | Yes |
| You fully control it | No | Yes |
| Cost | Free | From about $500 upfront or $129–$300/month |
When a profile alone is enough (for now)
- You're in a small town with very little competition.
- You're fully booked from referrals and not trying to grow.
- You're just starting out and need to get on the map this week.
Even then, plan to add a simple website once the work comes in. It doesn't need to be big: five good pages connected to your profile will outperform a profile alone in most markets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Facebook page as my website?
You can link it, but it's a weak substitute. Facebook pages don't let you build a page per service, give Google less to work with, and many customers see them as less professional than a real website.
Will a website help my Google Maps ranking?
Usually, yes. A website that clearly lists your services and service areas, uses local business schema, and is linked from your profile strengthens the relevance and prominence signals Google uses to rank map results.
What's the cheapest way to get both?
Set up your Google Business Profile yourself for free, then get a simple 5-page website connected to it. Our Launch Site does both for $997, or $0 down and $129 a month.