How to get your business on Google Maps, even if you’ve never had a listing
If customers can’t find you on Google Maps, they find someone else. The good news: creating a listing is free, and you can start this week.
Your Google Business Profile is the box that shows up when someone searches your name or a service “near me.” It shows your hours, location, phone number, photos and reviews. For many small businesses, it’s one of the first things a new customer sees.
1. Check that you aren’t already listed
Search your business name and city on Google Maps. Sometimes a customer or Google itself has already created a listing. If it exists, you claim it instead of making a new one. Duplicate listings can cause problems, including suspension.
2. Create or claim your profile
Go to Google Business Profile, sign in with a Google account you’ll keep long-term, and enter your business name, category and address. If you serve customers at their location, like a plumber or house cleaner, you can hide your address and list your service area instead.
3. Verify it
Google needs to confirm your business is real. It may ask for a phone call, an email, a short video of your storefront or a postcard. Follow the steps exactly. Changing your details while verification is pending can slow it down.
4. Fill in everything
- The most specific primary category that fits
- Hours, including holidays
- Services or products, with short descriptions
- Several real photos: outside, inside, your work and your team
- A description that says what you do and who you serve
5. Keep it alive
A listing that never changes can quickly fall out of date. Post updates regularly, invite happy customers to leave reviews and reply to them. Google decides rankings based on many factors, but a complete, active profile is a good foundation.
Rather have us do it?
We set up new listings from zero and guide you through Google’s verification.