Google Business Profile for small businesses
For many small businesses, the Google listing brings in more customers than the website. It's free, it appears on Google Maps and in search, and it's where people check your hours, call you and ask for directions. I set it up properly and show you how to keep it that way.
From nothing to a complete listing
Find and claim
Check whether a listing already exists, and claim it or create a new one under your own Google account.
Verify
Prepare what Google asks for, often a short video showing your signage, premises and equipment.
Complete
Category, services, hours, phone, website, description and a pin on your door.
Make it alive
Photos, a first post, a review link for customers and replies to existing reviews.
The category matters most
Your primary category tells Google what you are, and it affects which searches you can appear in more than anything else on the listing. A shop that sells and repairs phones should probably be a mobile phone repair shop or a cell phone store, depending on which brings more customers, with the other as a secondary category.
I look at the categories similar businesses near you use, check which match what you really do, and set them up honestly. Adding categories you don't really offer doesn't help and can count against you. My guide to choosing Business Profile categories goes into detail.
For the wider search work, see SEO for small businesses.
More for small businesses
Questions about Google listings
Is a Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Google doesn't charge for the listing. You pay only if you want someone to set it up or look after it, or if you choose to run ads, which are separate.
Someone else created a listing for my shop. What now?
You can request ownership through Google. If the current owner doesn't respond, Google may hand it to you after you verify. It's a common problem with listings created by previous staff, relatives or strangers, and it can usually be sorted out.
How often should I update it?
Whenever something changes, such as hours, phone or services, and at least every month or two with new photos or a post. A listing that looks looked-after gives customers more confidence than one untouched for years.
Want your business on Google Maps, done properly?
Send me your business name and town, or your Maps link if you have one. I'll check what customers see and tell you what I'd fix first.