How to create a Google Business Profile, step by step
To create a Google Business Profile, sign in at business.google.com with a Google account, enter your real business name, choose your primary category, add your address or service area and contact details, then verify the business. After verification, complete every field: hours, services, description and photos.
Before you start
- Use a Google account you'll keep long term; you can add managers later.
- Search Google Maps for your business first: if a profile already exists, claim it instead of creating a duplicate.
- Have your exact business name, address or service areas, phone number and website ready.
Step by step
- Go to business.google.com and sign in.
- Enter your business name exactly as customers see it on your signage and documents.
- Choose the primary category that best describes your main service. You can add secondary categories later.
- Add your address if customers visit you. If you travel to customers, add your service areas and hide the address.
- Add your phone number and website.
- Verify the business using the method Google offers you (options can include phone, text, email or video, depending on the business).
- Once verified, complete your hours, services, description, attributes and photos.
Mistakes that cause problems later
- Keywords or a city added to the business name: against Google's guidelines.
- A virtual office or another business's address.
- Creating a second profile instead of claiming the existing one.
- Different phone numbers or names on the profile and your website.
After it's live
A new profile is the start. Ask every customer for a review, reply to them, add photos regularly and keep your details in sync with your website. Our complete Google Business Profile guide covers optimization in depth.