How to Set Up a Google Business Profile: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Business Profiles are designed for businesses that have in-person contact with customers during their stated business hours.

That generally includes:

• Storefront businesses customers visit
• Service-area businesses that travel to customers
• Hybrid businesses that serve customers both at a location and at customer locations

Before creating anything new, search Google and Google Maps for your business name.

You may discover that Google already has a listing for your business.

If an unverified profile already exists, you may be able to claim it rather than creating another one.

If your business doesn't already have a profile, sign in to the Google Account you want associated with the business and begin adding your business information.

Google will walk you through the setup process.

You'll typically provide information such as:

• Your business name
• Your primary business category
• Your location or service area
• Your phone number
• Your website

Your category helps Google understand what your business actually does.

Choose the category that most accurately represents your primary business.

Don't choose something simply because you think it gets more searches.

This part is especially important because the correct setup depends on how your business serves customers.

Storefront Business

If customers actually visit your business at a physical location during your stated business hours, enter the legitimate business address.

Service-Area Business

If you travel to customers and do not serve customers at your business address, your address should not be displayed publicly.

Instead, set up the business as a service-area business and specify the geographic areas you serve.

Hybrid Business

If customers can visit your legitimate staffed business location and you also travel to customers, your business may operate as a hybrid business.

Add accurate contact information so potential customers can actually reach you.

• Your primary business phone number
• Your business website
• Any available booking or contact options relevant to your business

Make sure the phone number and website actually belong to and represent your business.

Creating the profile isn't necessarily the end of the setup process.

Google may require you to verify that the business is legitimate and that you are authorized to manage it.

The verification methods available to you are determined by Google and can vary by business.

Make sure customers know when you're actually available.

Add your regular business hours and remember to update special hours when holidays, vacations, or unusual closures affect your schedule.

Don't leave your profile looking abandoned.

Add clear, useful photos that help people understand your business.

• Your logo
• A strong cover photo
• Your storefront or workspace when appropriate
• Your products
• Examples of completed work
• Your team
• Helpful behind-the-scenes images

Real business photos can give potential customers a much better idea of who they're dealing with.

Once your profile is available to manage, don't stop after adding your name and phone number.

Complete as much relevant information as Google makes available for your business type.

• Business description
• Services
• Products when applicable
• Business attributes
• Website
• Hours
• Photos and videos
• Relevant contact or booking options

Reviews can help potential customers understand what it's like to work with your business.

Ask real customers to leave honest reviews based on their actual experience.

And when people leave reviews, respond professionally.

Your Google Business Profile isn't something you should create once and then forget for five years.

Check it periodically and keep important information current.

• Update changed hours
• Add new photos
• Respond to customer reviews
• Update services when your business changes
• Check that your phone number and website work
• Share relevant updates, offers, or events when appropriate

For an eligible local business, a properly maintained Google Business Profile can be an important part of your local search presence.

It can help Google and potential customers understand things such as what your business does, where it operates, when it's open, and how people can contact you.

But don't think of it as a magic “rank me number one” button.

Your website, business information, relevance, reputation, competition, and overall online presence still matter.

Setting up your Google Business Profile is an important step, but your entire online presence should work together.

When someone discovers your business through Google, they're often going to look at your reviews, photos, services, and website before deciding whether to contact you.

That means your Google Business Profile shouldn't exist on an island.