How to get your business on Google Maps
3 min read Nikos Koulouridis
A free Google Business Profile puts you on Maps and in local searches. Here's how to set it up and the details that make people call.
When someone searches "coffee near me" or "plumber" plus a town, the first thing they usually see is a map with a few businesses on it. Those come from Google Business Profile, and it's free. If your business serves people in a place, it's one of the most useful ten minutes you can spend.
1. Check if you're already there
Search your business name on Google Maps. Sometimes a profile already exists, created by Google or a customer. If it does, use the option to claim it instead of creating a new one, so you don't end up with duplicates.
2. Create or claim your profile
Go to Google Business Profile with the Google account you want to manage it with (ideally a business account, not a personal one you might lose). Add your business name exactly as it appears on your sign, pick the category that fits best, and add your address. If you visit customers instead of them visiting you, you can hide the address and set the area you serve.
3. Verify it
Google needs to confirm the business is real. Depending on your business, this may be a code, a phone or email check, or a short video. Until it's verified, your changes may not show.
4. Fill in everything
- Hours, including holidays. Wrong hours are the fastest way to lose trust.
- Phone and website. The website link sends people to the page where they can learn more and contact you.
- Photos: outside (so people recognise the place), inside, your work, your team. Real photos beat stock ones.
- Services or products with short descriptions.
- A description in plain words: what you do and for whom.
5. Ask for reviews, and answer them
Reviews matter a lot for who shows up and who gets the call. Ask happy customers directly; Google gives you a short link to share. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and briefly. People read the replies too.
6. Keep it alive
Update hours when they change, add new photos now and then, and post news or offers if you have them. An active profile looks like an active business.
Profile plus website
The profile gets you found; the website is where people decide. Make sure the name, address and phone are written the same way on both, and that the website loads fast on a phone, because that's where most of these visitors are.
If you'd like help setting it up, or connecting it properly with your website, send me a message.
Want me to build it for you?