A Google Business Profile (earlier called Google My Business) is the free listing that appears when people search for your business on Google Search and Google Maps. It shows your phone number, opening hours, reviews, photos and directions.
For most local businesses, it is the most important free marketing tool available. This guide walks through setting it up from scratch, in plain steps. Screens and wording change over time, so follow Google’s on-screen prompts if anything looks slightly different.
Before you start
Have these ready:
- Your exact business name, as it appears on your signboard and invoices
- Your address, or the areas you serve if you work at customers’ locations
- Your phone number and website (if you have one)
- Your opening hours
- A few clear photos
- A Google account you will keep long term. Using a personal account of a staff member who may leave is a common mistake. Use an account owned by the business owner.
Step 1: Check whether your business is already listed
Open Google Maps and search for your business name and area. If it appears, a profile may already exist, perhaps created by a customer or an old record. In that case, do not create a new one. Choose the option to claim this business and follow the steps. Creating duplicates can cause problems.
Step 2: Add your business
If it is not listed, go to Google’s Business Profile page and choose to add your business. Enter:
- Business name. Use your real name, with no extra keywords or slogans added.
- Business category. Pick the primary category that best describes what you do. Search the list and choose the most specific option.
Step 3: Add your location or service area
Google will ask whether customers visit your location.
- If customers visit you (shop, clinic, salon, restaurant), enter your full address and place the pin correctly on the map.
- If you visit customers (repairs, home services, tutors), you can hide your address and list the areas you serve.
- If you do both, you can show the address and also list service areas.
Only use an address where you actually work. Fake or virtual addresses are against Google’s guidelines.
Step 4: Add contact details
Enter your phone number and website. Use a number that is answered during opening hours. Make sure the details match the ones on your website and elsewhere online, so Google sees consistent information.
Step 5: Verify your business
Verification confirms the business is real and yours. Google will offer one or more methods, which can include a video recording of your location, a phone call or text, an email or a postcard. Choose what is offered, follow the steps carefully and complete it. Until you verify, you cannot fully manage your profile and it may not show properly.
Tips for verification:
- Be at your business location if a video is needed
- Make sure signage, equipment or other proof of the business is visible
- Do not request many codes repeatedly, which can slow things down
- If it fails, read the reason given and try again with the right proof
Step 6: Add opening hours
Enter your hours for every day. Add special hours for festivals and holidays when they come. Wrong hours are one of the most common reasons for customer complaints, so keep them accurate.
Step 7: Write a clear description
Describe what you do, who you serve and what makes you different, in natural language. Mention your area and main services, but do not stuff keywords or use phone numbers, links or promotional prices in the description. Keep it helpful, like you would explain your business to a new customer.
Step 8: Add services or products
List your main services or products with short descriptions. This helps Google and customers understand what you offer. If you have prices that rarely change, you can add them, or write “starting from” to stay safe.
Step 9: Upload photos
Add photos in several categories:
- Exterior, so people recognise the place
- Interior, to show the atmosphere
- Team, to build trust
- Products or work, to show quality
- Logo and cover photo, for branding
Use real photos in good light. Avoid heavy filters and stock images. Add new photos regularly, as it shows the business is active.
Step 10: Turn on messages and booking links if useful
Depending on your business, you may be able to add a booking link, a menu link or a way for customers to message you. Only turn on features you can respond to quickly. A message that is ignored does more harm than not offering one.
Step 11: Ask for your first reviews
Once your profile is live, ask real customers who are happy with your work to leave a review. Use the direct review link from your profile and share it on WhatsApp, or print a QR code. Reply to every review you receive. Never buy or fake reviews, and do not offer rewards for positive ones. See our guide on ranking on Google Maps in Mumbai for more on reviews.
Step 12: Keep it fresh
A profile is not a one-time job. Each month:
- Check that your hours, phone number and address are still right
- Add a few photos
- Post an update or offer
- Answer new reviews and questions
- Look at the performance data to see calls, direction requests and the searches that led to you
Common problems and fixes
- Profile suspended. This often happens when the business name includes extra keywords or the address is not valid. Read the notice, correct the issue and submit an appeal.
- Wrong pin on the map. Edit the location and drag the pin to your exact spot.
- Duplicate listings. Report the duplicate or ask Google to merge it with the correct one.
- Cannot get verified. Try a different method if offered, or contact Google Business Profile support.
Do you also need a website?
A profile works even without a website, but a simple site gives you more room to explain your services and builds trust. If you already use Instagram, you may wonder whether that is enough, and we cover that in Do I need a website if I already have Instagram?
Want us to do it for you?
If you would rather not spend time on this, our local SEO service includes profile set-up and care, listing clean-up, and a review system. Start with a free Google listing check and we will tell you what to fix first.