What is a Google Business Profile?
It's the free listing that appears on Google Maps and in the box on the right of Google search results. It shows your name, address or service area, phone number, opening hours, photos and reviews. For local searches, it's often the first thing a customer sees, before they ever reach your website.
How do I set one up?
- Go to Google Business Profile and sign in with a Google account you'll keep long term.
- Search for your business name. If a listing already exists, claim it instead of making a new one.
- Choose your main business category. Pick the most specific one that fits.
- Add your address, or set a service area if you visit customers rather than having them come to you.
- Add your phone number and website.
- Verify the business. Google will offer one or more methods, which can include a phone call, text, email or video.
- Fill in your hours, services, description and photos.
Why isn't my business showing up on Google Maps?
The most common reasons are:
- The profile hasn't been verified yet.
- Your category doesn't match what people are searching for.
- Your name, address or phone number is different on your website and other listings.
- The profile is half finished, with no photos, hours or services.
- Competitors nearby have more reviews and more complete profiles.
How do I rank higher in the map results?
Google says local results are mainly based on three things: relevance, distance and prominence. You can't move your premises, but you can do plenty about the other two.
- Be relevant: choose accurate categories and list every service you offer.
- Be consistent: use exactly the same business name, address and phone number on your profile, your website and anywhere else you're listed.
- Be prominent: collect genuine reviews and reply to them. We've got a guide on getting more reviews without it being awkward.
- Link it to a good website: a fast site with a clear page for each service and area gives Google more reason to trust you.
- Keep it active: add photos and updates now and then, so it's clearly a real, open business.
Can you set it up for me?
Yes. We set up or tidy your Google Business Profile for free with every website we build, and link it properly to your site. More on our Google Business Profile page.