Reviewed and republished November 14, 2026. This guide replaces earlier content and has been revised for accuracy and practical use.
Google Business Profile helps eligible businesses manage how their information appears on Google Search and Maps. Start by checking whether the business qualifies and whether an existing profile already represents it. Accurate information matters more than adding extra keywords to the business name.
Check eligibility and existing profiles
Google’s guidelines generally require a business to make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours, subject to stated exceptions and restrictions. Confirm the rules for the actual business model. Search for an existing profile before creating another one, and use the ownership or access process when appropriate.
Use a business-controlled Google account and document who manages access. Avoid relying on one departing employee’s personal account as the only way to administer the profile.
Prepare the information before starting
- The real-world business name used consistently on signage and customer-facing materials.
- The appropriate primary category and any genuinely relevant additional categories.
- A valid address or service area, according to the business model.
- A phone number, website, and accurate customer-facing hours.
- A factual description and original photos that you have permission to publish.
Choose the correct location representation
A storefront, a service-area business, and a hybrid business have different address and customer-contact considerations. Follow Google’s current guidance rather than displaying a private home address or inventing an office to target another city. A service area should describe where work is actually provided.
Do not create extra profiles merely to cover nearby towns. If the business genuinely has multiple eligible locations, review the guidelines for each location and keep the information consistent with reality.
Create or claim the profile and complete verification
- Use Google’s Business Profile setup or claim process for the correct business.
- Enter the prepared information and check the map and contact details carefully.
- Follow the verification method offered for that profile.
- Provide the requested evidence truthfully and keep business documents private unless the official verification process requires them.
- After verification, review the public information and correct any inaccuracies.
Google determines which verification methods are available and may require more than one method. Do not assume that you can select a postcard, phone, or video method simply because another business received that option. Review the official guidance if verification is delayed or unsuccessful.
Maintain the profile after setup
| Check | Reason |
|---|---|
| Hours and closures | Help customers avoid an unsuccessful visit |
| Services and website link | Keep the profile aligned with what the business actually provides |
| Images | Show current, genuine work without exposing private details |
| Access | Retain appropriate business ownership and remove obsolete access |
| Reviews | Invite genuine feedback without incentives and reply professionally |
Connect the profile to a useful website
The destination page should clearly explain the business, services, coverage, and next step. Keep contact details consistent. Review calls and enquiries alongside profile activity so you understand whether visibility is bringing suitable customers.
For project-based companies, read local SEO for home improvement businesses. Explore digital marketing and local visibility support. Setup and verification do not guarantee a particular search position.