Major Shake-Up in GBP Reviews This Week—Did It Affect You?

Did Your Google Reviews Vanish? Plus, Is Exhibiting at Home Shows Worth It?

Author

Amber Hoffman
February 13, 2025

This week, we’re diving into two big topics that could impact your business: the recent Google review glitch that had home service providers in a panic, and whether home shows are really worth the time, effort, and expense.

But beyond that, we can’t believe it’s already February! The year is moving fast, and now’s the time to ask—do you have a solid marketing plan in place for 2025? During the holiday slowdown, we took a deep dive into what worked for us in 2024 and where we needed to level up. Our focus this year? Strategic advertising, deeper connections in the Colorado home services community, and building our brand organically, one step at a time.

Now, we’d love to hear from you: What was your most successful marketing strategy in 2024? And where are you putting your energy in 2025?

Let’s share and grow together—drop us a reply!

~ Brought to you by Amber & Eric Hoffman of Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder and Franchise Solutions, this newsletter is your go-to resource for scaling and thriving as a Colorado home services business owner.

How Closely Do You Monitor Your GBP Reviews?

Imagine waking up one morning to find that 20% of your hard-earned Google reviews had vanished overnight. That’s exactly what thousands of business owners thought happened this past week! Did you notice a dip in your numbers?

What Really Happened?

Early in February, a Google bug caused the review count on countless GBP accounts to drop—sometimes by hundreds of reviews! While the reviews themselves weren’t actually deleted, the sudden discrepancy sent business owners into a panic. Google quickly acknowledged the issue and worked on a fix by February 12, but that didn’t stop the internet from buzzing with concern.

How to Protect Yourself From Future GBP Surprises

✅ Stay Connected to Your Industry
Issues like these spread fast in professional communities. We’re active in several Facebook groups for window covering professionals, and that’s where we first heard about the problem—before even some of our fellow franchise owners! Being part of these discussions can keep you ahead of the curve.

✅ Monitor Your GBP Account Regularly
Do you have a system in place to check your GBP account consistently? Keeping an eye on your review count, responding to feedback, and updating your profile ensures you’ll notice any unexpected changes before they become a crisis.

✅ Go Straight to the Source: The GBP Forum
Google’s GBP Forum is where issues like these are first reported and discussed. If something seems off, check there first before hitting the panic button. Chances are, you’re not alone, and a solution may already be in the works.

The Bottom Line

If this week’s glitch taught us anything, it’s that surprises can (and do) happen. But with the right habits in place, you can catch issues early, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary stress.

Have you ever experienced a sudden drop in reviews? Let us know how you handled it by replying to this email!

🐝 Exclusive Offer for Your Clients: 10% OFF Custom Shades in February! 🐝

Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder is kicking off the year with a sweet deal for all new clients: 10% off all custom shades during the month of February! Whether your clients are interested in energy-efficient honeycomb cellular shades or sleek roller shades, we've got them covered.

What’s included:

  • Free in-home consultation with expert design advice

  • Professional measurement to ensure a perfect fit

  • Top-quality installation by our team

  • A warranty for peace of mind

If you know anyone who’s looking to refresh their home or improve their energy efficiency, this is the perfect opportunity!

Ready to share the love? Forward this email to any of your clients who might be interested, or book an appointment here. Don’t miss out—this offer is only available through February!

Let’s help your clients start the New Year with fresh, beautiful windows!

Are Home Shows Still Worth It in 2025? Let’s Talk ROI.

When we entered the home services industry, we assumed that home shows were a goldmine for generating leads and booking appointments. After all, what better way to connect with homeowners than by meeting them face-to-face? But after speaking with seasoned professionals and analyzing our own experience, we’re starting to question whether home shows are still as effective as they once were.

This week, we’re exhibiting at the Colorado Garden & Home Show 2025, and the results have been eye-opening. Foot traffic isn’t as strong as we hoped, and longtime exhibitors are seeing a stark decline. Some have told us they used to book 50+ appointments per day—this year, they’re seeing closer to 10 per day.

Why the Decline?

There are a few possible reasons why home shows may not be delivering the same ROI they once did:

📉 The Shift to Online Search – More homeowners are researching and booking services through Google, social media, and online directories instead of attending in-person events. Is a well-optimized Google Business Profile and strategic digital advertising now a better investment?

💰 Economic Uncertainty – Inflation and economic concerns may be making homeowners hesitant to commit to large purchases on the spot. Are people attending home shows to gather information rather than book services immediately?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Changing Consumer Habits – Homeowners today may prefer the convenience of virtual consultations over browsing booths at a crowded event. If that’s the case, how can we adapt?

Maximizing Your Home Show Success

Despite these challenges, home shows can still be a valuable tool—if approached strategically. Some tactics we’re exploring include:

✅ Pre-Show Marketing – Promoting our booth in advance through email, social media, YouTube, and local advertising to drive attendance.

✅ On-Site Engagement – Offering exclusive discounts, live demonstrations, or interactive experiences to capture attention and encourage bookings.

✅ Post-Show Follow-Up – Collecting leads and nurturing them with targeted follow-up emails, calls, and retargeting ads.

Now, we want to hear from you, particularly with many Colorado home pros jetting off to Vegas next week for IBS: Have home shows been worth the investment for your business? What strategies have helped you drive appointments and ROI? Or are you shifting your marketing efforts elsewhere?

Let’s start the conversation!

Learn more here: 

2025 Marketing Budget Cheat Sheet for Home Service Businesses

Think of your marketing budget as the blueprint for your business growth—without a plan, you risk wasting money on what doesn’t work.

📊 Analyze 2024 Performance – What worked? What flopped? Use data to guide your 2025 strategy.
💰 Allocate Smartly – Experts suggest spending 7-10% of revenue on marketing:

  • 40% Digital Ads (Google, Facebook)

  • 20% SEO (Rank higher, get free traffic)

  • 15% Content Marketing (Blogs, social media)

  • 15% Local Marketing (Mailers, sponsorships)

  • 10% Customer Retention (Loyalty programs, email follow-ups)
    🚀 Stay Competitive – The right budget fuels growth, attracts quality leads, and keeps customers coming back.

Plan wisely, and 2025 could be your best year yet! Learn more here from Mr. Pipeline.

Dates To Remember

Here’s just a sampling of interesting events happening in the home services industry over the next few months, from home shows to networking opportunities:

Other News Affecting Colorado Home Services Pros

As we’ve worked to grow our own home services businesses, we’ve discovered strategies, tools, and lessons that we believe can benefit others in our community. Why go it alone when you can learn, grow, and succeed together?

We’ve traveled the world, lived overseas, and scaled a variety of businesses to exit. Now, we call Broomfield home!

Learn more about Amber & Eric.