Help local customers find your business on Google Search and Google Maps
When someone searches online for a business like yours, your Google Business Profile can help you appear in local search results and on Google Maps. Your profile gives customers quick access to important information, including your location, phone number, website, hours, photos, services and customer reviews.
Setting up a Google Business Profile is free, and you do not need to be a technology expert to do it. Follow these steps to create or claim your profile and make it stand out.
Before You Get Started
Gather the following information:
- Your business name
- Business address or service area
- Main phone number
- Website address
- Regular and holiday business hours
- Business category
- A short description of your business
- Your logo
- Several clear photos of your business, products or services
- Access to the business email address and phone number
You will also need a Google Account. You may use an existing Google Account or create one using your business email address.
Want more local customers to find your business online? Our team can help you improve your visibility in search, reach the right audience and turn more searches into customers. Send us an email to get started.
Step 1: Check Whether Your Business Is Already Listed
Before creating a new profile, search for your business on Google.
- Go to Google.com.
- Search for your exact business name and city.
- Look for a business information box in the search results.
- You can also search for your business in Google Maps.
If your business appears, select Own this business?, Claim this business or Manage now. The wording may vary.
If your business does not appear, move to Step 2.
Important: Do not create a second profile if one already exists. Duplicate profiles can confuse customers and may cause problems with your reviews or visibility.
Step 2: Add Your Business to Google
Visit business.google.com/add and sign in with the Google Account you want connected to the business.
Select Add your business to Google, and then enter your business name.
Use the exact name customers see on your signs, website and other marketing materials. Do not add extra keywords, cities, services or slogans unless they are part of your official business name.
For example, use:
Johnson Plumbing
Do not use:
Johnson Plumbing—Best Emergency Plumber in Springfield
Step 3: Choose Your Primary Business Category
Select the category that most accurately describes your main business.
Examples include:
- Restaurant
- Insurance agency
- Hair salon
- Heating contractor
- Real estate agency
- Auto repair shop
- Clothing store
Be specific. If you own an Italian restaurant, choose Italian restaurant instead of the more general Restaurant category.
Your primary category is important because it helps Google understand what your business offers and when to show it in search results. You may add additional categories later, but only select categories that truly apply to your business.
Step 4: Add Your Location or Service Area
Google will ask whether customers visit your business location.
If customers visit your location
Enter your complete street address. This works for businesses such as stores, restaurants, salons, medical offices and other locations that serve customers in person.
Check the map marker and move it if necessary so that it points to the correct location.
If you travel to your customers
Choose the service-area option if you operate a business such as a plumber, landscaper, mobile pet groomer or cleaning service.
Enter the cities, counties or areas you serve. If you operate from your home and customers do not visit you there, do not display your home address publicly.
If you do both
Some businesses have a physical location and also travel to customers. If that describes your business, you may list both your address and service area.
Step 5: Add Your Contact Information
Enter the phone number customers should use to reach your business.
Next, enter your website address. If you do not have a website, you can leave this section blank and add one later.
Double-check this information before moving forward. A wrong number or broken website link could cost you a customer.
Step 6: Verify Your Business
Google requires businesses to verify that they are legitimate and that the person setting up the profile is authorized to manage it.
Google decides which verification methods are available for each business. Depending on your profile, you may be offered verification by:
- Phone call or text message
- Video recording
- Live video call
- Postcard sent through the mail
You cannot always choose a different method from the options Google provides. In some cases, Google may require more than one verification method. After you complete verification, Google’s review can take up to five business days. Read Google’s verification instructions.
If Google requests a video
You may need to show:
- The outside of your location
- Your street sign or building number
- Permanent business signage
- Products, equipment or a branded work vehicle
- An employee-only area
- Proof that you can access and manage the business
Record everything in one continuous video. Do not include sensitive documents or private information.
Protect your verification code
Never share your Google verification code with anyone. Google will not call and ask you to provide the code.
Step 7: Complete Your Business Information
Once your business is verified, fill out as much of the profile as possible.
To edit your profile, sign in to the connected Google Account and search for my business on Google. Select Edit profile, make your changes and select Save.
Complete the following sections:
Business hours
Enter your regular hours and update your special hours for holidays, seasonal changes or temporary closures.
Business description
Write a short, clear description explaining:
- What your business does
- Who you serve
- What makes your business different
- How long you have served the community
- Your primary products or services
Avoid including sales language, links, special offers or excessive keywords.
Products and services
List your most important products or services. Include short descriptions and prices when appropriate.
Accessibility and amenities
Add relevant information such as wheelchair accessibility, parking, outdoor seating, delivery, pickup or appointment requirements.
Step 8: Add High-Quality Photos
Photos help customers understand what to expect from your business. Add clear, recent images, including:
- Your logo
- A cover photo
- The outside of your building
- The inside of your business
- Your team
- Products or completed projects
- Services being performed
- Menus, displays or merchandise
Use real photos of your business whenever possible. Avoid blurry, dark or heavily edited images.
An exterior photo is especially helpful because it allows customers to recognize your business when they arrive. Photos generally appear publicly after the profile is verified. View Google’s photo guidelines.
Step 9: Ask Customers for Reviews
Reviews can help potential customers feel confident about choosing your business.
After completing a sale or service, invite satisfied customers to leave an honest review. You can create a direct review link from your Google Business Profile and include it in:
- Follow-up emails
- Text messages
- Receipts
- Thank-you messages
- Your website
- A printed card or QR code
Do not offer money, discounts, gifts or prizes in exchange for positive reviews.
Respond professionally to both positive and negative reviews. Thank customers for positive feedback. When responding to a complaint, remain calm, acknowledge the concern and offer to continue the conversation privately.
Step 10: Keep Your Profile Updated
Your Google Business Profile is not something you should set up and forget.
Review it at least once a month and update it whenever something changes. Make sure your:
- Phone number is correct
- Website link works
- Business hours are current
- Holiday hours are listed
- Products and services are accurate
- Photos are recent
- Customer reviews have responses
You can manage your profile directly through Google Search or the Google Maps app while signed in to the account connected to the business. Learn how to edit your profile.
Tips for a Stronger Google Business Profile
- Use the same business name, address and phone number everywhere online.
- Choose the most accurate primary category.
- Complete every section that applies to your business.
- Add new photos regularly.
- Ask customers for honest reviews.
- Respond to reviews promptly and professionally.
- Keep your hours updated, especially around holidays.
- Never add unnecessary keywords to your business name.
- Do not create duplicate profiles.
- Add trusted employees or marketing partners as managers instead of sharing your password.
What If Someone Else Controls Your Profile?
If Google says the profile has already been claimed, select Request access or Request ownership and follow the instructions.
The current owner will be asked to respond. If the owner does not respond within the allowed time, Google may give you another option to claim and verify the profile. Follow Google’s ownership request process.
Do not create a duplicate listing to get around an ownership problem.
Your Google Business Profile Checklist
Before considering your profile complete, make sure you have:
- Claimed or created the correct business profile
- Completed Google’s verification process
- Used your official business name
- Selected the correct primary category
- Added an accurate address or service area
- Added your phone number and website
- Listed regular and holiday hours
- Written a business description
- Added products or services
- Uploaded your logo and business photos
- Created a plan for requesting reviews
- Added another trusted manager, if needed
Make It Easy for Customers to Find You
A complete and accurate Google Business Profile gives local customers the information they need to call, visit or learn more about your business. The more helpful and up to date your profile is, the easier it is for customers to choose you when they are ready to buy.
Start creating or claiming your profile at business.google.com/add.
Want More Customers to Find Your Business?
Your Google Business Profile is only one part of getting found online. Our local marketing team can help you improve your search visibility and connect with more customers in your community.