Last Updated on October 29, 2025
Setting up a Google Business Profile in 2025 helps customers find your business easily on Google Search and Maps.
It’s free, simple, and effective for improving local business SEO. Start by signing in with your Google account, then claim or create your business listing.
Fill in accurate details like your business name, address, phone number, and hours.
Add high-quality photos, respond to customer reviews, and post updates to keep your profile active. Verify your listing through email, phone, or mail to confirm ownership. A verified profile builds trust and improves visibility.
Regularly update your information and use insights to understand how customers find you.
By managing your profile through the Google My Business dashboard, you can grow your online reach and connect directly with local customers searching for your products or services.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is a free online business listing tool that allows companies to showcase their business information directly on Google Search and Google Maps.
It displays key details, such as your business address, business hours, contact number, website, and services.
When you learn how to set up a Google Business Profile, you make it easier for potential customers to find, contact, and visit your business.
It’s an effective way to connect with people searching locally for your products or services.
Managing your business profile also gives you complete control over how your brand appears online.
You can upload your business logo, photos, and videos that show your space, team, or products. Adding these visuals builds trust and helps customers recognise your brand faster.
Regular updates, posts, and engagement through reviews signal to Google that your business is active, improving your local SEO performance.
A well-maintained Google Business Profile helps your business stand out against competitors in local search results.
Verified profiles appear more credible and attract higher customer engagement. You can even highlight your services, add service areas, and include special offers or announcements to keep your profile up to date.
In today’s digital landscape, setting up a Google Business Profile is one of the most effective ways to grow visibility and trust in your target areas.
Is Google Business Profile Free?
Yes, a Google Business Profile is free to create and manage. You only need a Google Account to add your business details and service areas.
Google verifies your listing before showing it on Search and Maps. It’s a simple way to reach local customers, improve SEO, and grow visibility.
Check a Google Business Profile example or use a Google Business Profile template to set up yours easily.
Who Qualifies for a Google Business Profile?
Any business that interacts directly with customers, whether in person or within defined service areas, can create a Google Business Profile.
This includes local shops, restaurants, agencies, repair services, consultants, and even online businesses with a physical business address or those that travel to customers’ locations.
Home-based professionals, such as tutors, electricians, and freelancers, can also qualify if they serve customers face-to-face or in specific service areas.
To qualify, your business information must be accurate, verifiable, and compliant with Google’s guidelines.
Google verifies every business listing to ensure authenticity, often using methods such as a postcard, email, or phone call.
This step confirms that your business honestly operates at the listed address or within the stated region.
Managing multiple business profiles under a single Google Account is also possible if you operate several branches or locations.
It allows you to update each profile with relevant information, services, and business hours, ensuring consistent visibility across all Google Maps listings.
Verified business profiles not only improve local SEO performance but also boost search rankings, making it easier for customers to find and trust your business.
Learning how to set up a Google Business Profile ensures your company is recognised in local search, strengthens your online presence, and builds lasting trust with your customers.
Examples of Different Google Business Profiles
There are many types of Google Business Profiles, depending on the business category and how you serve customers.
A retail shop can list its address, hours, and contact details. A service-based business, like a plumber or consultant, can set up service areas instead of a public address.
Restaurants can showcase menus and reviews, while online companies can highlight services and website links.
Each profile should reflect what the business offers. Keeping it updated with photos, descriptions, and information helps improve local search visibility.
Whether it’s a store, freelancer, or online brand, every verified Google Business listing supports better engagement and a more substantial business presence online.
Why Does My Business Need It?
A Google Business Profile helps your business appear when customers search for products or services in your local area.
It connects your business information directly to Google Maps and Search, making it easier for people to find you.
With a verified listing, your profile displays your address, business hours, reviews, and contact details.
Regular Google Business Profile edits keep your information current, ensuring customers always see the correct details when they search for your business.
You can also use Google Business Profile posts to share updates, offers, or announcements that keep your audience engaged.
A well-structured Google Business Profile example shows how consistency builds trust and visibility.
Using a Google Business Profile template can help small businesses set up faster and maintain a polished online presence.
Together, these features improve local SEO, drive more inquiries, and strengthen your brand without paid ads.
Is It Worth Having a Google Business Profile?
Yes, every business benefits from a Google Business Profile. It’s free to create, simple to manage, and offers measurable results.
A verified profile lets your business appear in local searches, which means potential customers see your services before they reach competitors.
You can track performance through the profile manager, respond to reviews, and update business information in real time.
These actions improve search visibility and strengthen local SEO. Having a complete and active Google Business Profile helps both physical and online businesses grow steadily while building trust with new customers.
How to Create a Google Business Profile
Learning how to set up a Google Business Profile helps your business stand out in local search results and attract new customers.
A Google Business Profile makes it easier for people to find your company on Google Maps, mobile search, and desktop search.
When you create a business profile, you improve your local SEO, making it easier for your business to appear when people nearby search for your services.
This guide explains each step in detail, from signing in to managing reviews and updates.
Step 1: Create a Google Account
Before starting, you need a Google account. If you already use Gmail or other Google services, you can continue with that account.
Otherwise, create a new one by visiting accounts.google.com/signup. It’s better to use an account that represents your business rather than a personal one.
This makes management easier if you want multiple users to access the account later. A dedicated business account also keeps your company data organised and secure.
Step 2: Go to the Google Business Profile Page
Once your Google account is ready, visit google.com/business and click Manage now.
This will take you to the Google Business Profile Manager, the central dashboard where you can create, verify, and manage your listing.
Log in using your Google account credentials. From this dashboard, you can later add business hours, locations, updates, and photos, and monitor how people interact with your profile through search and maps.
Step 3: Search for Your Business Name
Google may already have a record of your business through third-party data sources or customer mentions.
Type your business name in the search field to check. If your business appears, click Request Access to claim it and follow the verification steps. If it doesn’t appear, click Add your business to Google.
Enter your official business name exactly as it appears on your signage and marketing materials.
Consistency across all platforms helps with local SEO and strengthens your brand’s online identity.
Step 4: Select Your Business Type
Google allows you to categorise your business under three main types:
- Local Store – for physical locations that customers can visit.
- Online Retail – for businesses that sell products through an online store.
- Service Business – for businesses that provide services at customer locations.
Choose the option that best represents your model. Selecting the correct business type ensures your listing appears in the right search categories and improves your chances of connecting with the right audience on Google Maps and local search.
Step 5: List Your Business Information
Now add all your business details, including address, phone number, website, and service areas.
Accuracy is key. Incorrect or inconsistent information can confuse customers and harm your Google Business Profile ranking.
If you operate remotely or from home, you can hide your address and list service areas instead.
Keep your contact details consistent across your website, social media, and directories for better local SEO performance.
Step 6: Choose a Business Category
Choosing the correct business category helps Google understand what your company offers and match it with relevant searches.
Start typing your industry and choose from the available options in the dropdown list.
For example, options could include a restaurant, a digital marketing agency, a construction company, or a beauty salon.
You can update or add secondary categories later as your business expands.
The category you select strongly affects how customers find you in Google Search and Maps, so choose carefully.
Step 7: Agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Before publishing your business listing, you’ll need to agree to Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This step confirms that you consent to Google displaying your business information across its platforms.
You can also choose to receive tips and optimisation updates from Google that help improve your Google My Business performance.
Accepting the terms allows you to proceed with the setup process.
Step 8: Verify Your Business
Business verification is a key step to publicly activate your profile.
It ensures that the listed details truly represent a real business. Google offers several verification methods, including:
- Video verification – a short live video showing your business location and signage.
- Phone or email verification – a verification code is sent instantly.
- Postcard verification – Google sends a postcard with a unique code to your business address.
Choose the method that works best for you. Once verified, your profile becomes visible on Google Maps and Search, making it easier for potential customers to reach you.
Without verification, your listing will remain private.
Step 9: Add Business Hours
Enter your working hours to help customers know when they can reach you.
Use the toggle to set open and close times for each day of the week. For instance, you can set Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM and mark weekends as closed if needed.
If your hours vary by season or holiday, you can edit them at any time. Keeping your hours accurate avoids confusion and ensures customers visit when you’re open.
Google may flag outdated information, which can lower your profile’s visibility, so regular updates are helpful.
Step 10: Add Messaging and Contact Options
Enable messaging so customers can contact you directly from your Google Business Profile.
This feature lets people send messages or inquiries through Google Search or Maps without visiting your website. It’s a convenient way to improve customer communication and build engagement.
You can manage messages through the Google Business dashboard or mobile app. Quick responses not only improve user experience but also strengthen your ranking in local search results.
If you prefer not to use messaging, you can turn it off at any time.
Step 11: Add Description and Photos
A detailed business description helps customers understand what you offer. You have up to 750 characters to describe your products, services, and what sets you apart.
Mention your specialities, experience, or customer approach naturally within the text. Use relevant keywords like local business, Google Business Profile, or service provider to enhance SEO.
Next, upload high-quality photos of your store, products, or team. Businesses with photos receive more clicks, calls, and visits.
Add a transparent logo to strengthen brand recognition. Avoid stock images, as Google prefers authentic visuals.
Update photos regularly to show customers that your business is active and trustworthy.
Start optimising your Google Business Profile today. If you need help creating or improving your business listing, reach out to our local SEO team.
We can help you verify, optimise, and manage your Google Business Profile to bring more customers directly to your business.
FAQ
Any business can set one up using a Google account to appear on Google Maps and Search.
You only need to add accurate business information, upload your logo, and keep your profile updated.
This free tool helps businesses increase visibility, attract customers, and improve local SEO without paid ads.
Verification can be done via a postcard, email, phone, or video, depending on your business type. After verification, your Google Business Profile becomes visible to the public.
Maintaining a verified status helps build trust with customers, improves rankings, and ensures that your business listing appears accurately across all Google services, including Google Maps and Search.
Summary – How To Set Up a Google Business Profile
Setting up a Google Business Profile is an easy way to make your business appear in local search results and on Google Maps.
It gives customers quick access to your contact details, hours, services, and location. A verified and complete profile helps build trust and attract more local customers.
Keep your information the same across Google, YouTube, Shopify, and your business page. This consistency improves visibility and makes your business easier to find online. Connecting your GMB account with these platforms also helps boost local SEO.
Update your profile often. Add new photos of your products, logo, and team. Reply to customer reviews and share posts or offers to stay active.
Update your business description when you expand or add services.
Want to grow your reach? Follow Air Landline’s simple step-by-step guide to create and manage your Google Business Profile and bring more customers to your door.