When someone searches for a business near them, the first thing they often see is a box with a map, photos, reviews and a phone number. That box comes from the Google Business Profile. It is free, and for local businesses it can be one of the most useful marketing tools you have. You can set it up in about 30 minutes.
What is a Google Business Profile?
It is a free listing that shows your business on Google Search and Google Maps. It can show your name, address, opening hours, phone number, website, photos, services and customer reviews. People can call you, ask for directions or visit your website with a single tap.
It works best for businesses that serve customers in a specific area, but some businesses that travel to customers can use it too, by showing a service area instead of a street address.
Before you start: gather this
Having everything ready is what keeps this to 30 minutes.
- Your exact business name, as it appears on your sign or website.
- Your address, or the area you serve.
- Your phone number and website address.
- Your opening hours, including holidays you know of.
- A list of your services or products.
- A short description of your business.
- At least 5 to 10 clear photos: your logo, outside, inside, your team and your work.
The 30-minute plan
Minutes 0 to 5: create or claim the profile
- Sign in with a Google account you will keep long term. Use a business email if you can, not a personal one that a former employee might hold.
- Search for your business name on Google Maps. If it appears, you may be able to claim it. If not, choose the option to add your business.
- Enter your business name and choose the category that best describes what you do.
Minutes 5 to 10: add location and contact details
- Enter your address if customers visit you. If you go to them, add a service area.
- Add your phone number and website.
- Check each detail twice. A wrong phone number loses customers.
Minutes 10 to 15: verify
Google needs to confirm that you are the owner. Depending on your business, you may be asked to verify by phone, email, video or another method. Follow the steps shown. Some methods are quick, and others take a few days. Do not create duplicate profiles while you wait.
Minutes 15 to 20: fill in the details
- Hours: add normal hours and set special hours for holidays.
- Services or products: list each with a short description and, if you can, a price or a starting price.
- Description: write two or three clear sentences about what you do and who you help. Skip hype and avoid stuffing it with search words.
- Attributes: tick features that apply, such as online appointments or wheelchair access.
Minutes 20 to 27: add photos
Real photos build trust. Upload your logo, a cover image, and shots of your space, your team and your work. Use bright, sharp pictures taken on a phone. A recent photo of your team beats a stock image. If you want more polished visuals, see our 3D renders or video editing services.
Minutes 27 to 30: set up reviews and messages
Find your review link in the dashboard and save it. Decide how you will ask customers for a review. Then check that your phone number and website work by clicking them.
How to get reviews the right way
Reviews are the heart of your profile. Ask every happy customer, ideally right after a good experience, and send them the link. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and briefly. Never buy reviews or offer rewards in exchange for positive ones, because this can break platform rules. Our full guide is how to get more Google reviews.
Keep it alive
A profile is not a one-time task. Spend ten minutes a month on it.
- Add a new photo.
- Update hours before holidays.
- Post an update or offer.
- Answer questions people ask.
- Reply to new reviews.
Common mistakes
- Using a different name than your sign. Keep it the same everywhere.
- Adding extra words to the business name. This can get your profile suspended.
- Creating duplicate profiles. It confuses customers and Google.
- Leaving old hours. Nothing annoys a customer more than a closed door.
- Ignoring negative reviews. A calm, helpful reply often wins more trust than the review lost.
- Inconsistent details. Your address and phone number should match your website and social pages.
How it fits with SEO and your website
Your profile and your website help each other. Your profile gets you into the local map results, and your site gives people more detail and a way to contact you. Make sure your site shows the same name, address and phone number. If you want to understand the bigger picture, read what SEO is. Our SEO service includes local work like this. Nobody can promise a particular position on the map, but a complete and active profile gives you a fair chance.
Final checklist
- Profile created and verified.
- Name, address, phone and website all correct.
- Right category chosen.
- Hours and special hours added.
- Services listed.
- Description written.
- At least 5 real photos uploaded.
- Review link saved.
- Monthly 10-minute reminder set.
No website yet? Here is what yours should include. Want us to set it all up for you? Message us and we will reply within 6 hours, or see our packages.