Guide
How to Set Up Google Business Profile for Your Business (Step by Step)
Create your profile at business.google.com, choose the most specific category, add your address or service areas and exact contact details, verify the business, complete every section with real photos, and ask happy customers for reviews. Google does not charge for a Business Profile or for verification.
When someone searches for a service "near me", Google shows a map with three businesses at the top. Those listings come from Google Business Profile. It is free, and for most local businesses it brings more calls than any other online channel.
This guide shows you how to set it up correctly the first time.
What you need before you start
- A Google account (use a business Gmail, not a personal one, so it stays with the business)
- Your exact business name, as it appears on your board and bills
- Your business phone number
- Your address, or the areas you serve if customers do not visit you
- Your website link, if you have one
Step 1: Create the profile
Go to business.google.com and sign in. Click to add your business and type your business name. If Google suggests an existing listing that is yours, claim it instead of creating a new one.
Step 2: Choose the right category
Your primary category is one of the strongest signals for local ranking. Choose the most specific one that describes your main business, for example "Software company" instead of just "Company". You can add a few secondary categories later.
Step 3: Add location or service area
If customers visit your office or shop, add your full address so you appear on the map. If you visit customers or work online, you can hide your address and add the cities or areas you serve instead.
Step 4: Add contact details
Add your phone number and website. Use exactly the same business name, phone and address everywhere online: your website, Justdial, IndiaMART, social media. Matching details help Google trust your listing.
Step 5: Verify your business
Google needs to confirm that the business is real. Depending on your business, it may offer phone, SMS, email, video or postcard verification. Follow the steps shown on your screen.
Step 6: Complete every section
- Business hours, including holidays
- Description: explain what you do and where, in simple words
- Services or products with short descriptions
- Photos: logo, cover photo, your office or shop, your team and your work
Profiles with complete information and real photos get more clicks and calls than empty ones.
Step 7: Get reviews
Reviews affect both your ranking and whether people choose you. After finishing work for a happy customer, send them your review link on WhatsApp and ask for a short review. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely.
Step 8: Keep it active
- Post updates, offers or new work regularly
- Answer questions customers ask on your profile
- Update hours and photos when anything changes
Profile plus website works best
Google Business Profile gets you seen. A good website makes people trust you and contact you. When your profile links to a fast, mobile-friendly website with clear service pages, you get the best results from local search.
Need help? We set up and optimise Google Business Profiles as part of our SEO services, and build websites that turn visitors into enquiries.