Use this checklist to set up your Google Business Profile properly once, then keep it in good shape with a short monthly routine. If you’re starting from scratch, our complete Google Business Profile guide explains each step in more detail.
Part 1: One-time setup
The basics
- Claim or create your profile using a Google account the business will keep
- Verify your profile; Google chooses the method, often a short video
- Add at least one other trusted person as an owner or manager
- Business name exactly as it appears on your sign and website, with no extra keywords
Category
- The most specific primary category that describes your main business
- Secondary categories only for things you genuinely do
Location and area
- Address exactly as it appears on your website and other listings
- Or, for a service-area business: address hidden and real service areas listed
- Map pin in the right place
Hours
- Regular opening hours
- Special hours for upcoming holidays
- More hours, such as delivery or pickup, if they apply
Contact
- A local phone number you actually answer
- Your website address, linking to the right page
- A booking or appointment link, if you take bookings online
Services and products
- Every main service listed, with a short description
- Prices or price ranges, where it makes sense
- Products, if you sell items customers might search for
Description
- Up to 750 characters, written for customers
- What you do, who you help, where you work and what makes you different
- No links, no keyword stuffing, no shouting in capital letters
Photos
- Logo and cover photo
- Outside your location or your branded vehicle, so people recognize you
- Inside your location, if customers visit
- Your team at work
- Recent examples of your work or products
Attributes
- Every attribute that’s true for your business, such as accessibility, payment options or online appointments
Part 2: The 10-minute monthly routine
- Add 3 to 5 new photos of recent work, your team or your location
- Publish a post: an offer, news, a seasonal tip or a recent project
- Reply to every new review, positive or negative
- Check your hours, especially if a holiday is coming
- Answer new customer questions, if your profile shows them
- Look at your performance: views, calls, website clicks and direction requests compared with last month
Part 3: Quarterly check-up
- Are your categories still the best fit?
- Are your services and prices up to date?
- Do your name, address and phone still match your website and other listings?
- Are there any duplicate or old profiles for your business to remove?
- Has anyone suggested edits to your profile that you need to review?
Red flags to avoid
- Keywords or city names added to your business name
- A virtual office, mailbox or address you don’t operate from
- More than one profile for the same location
- Offering discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews
- Asking only your happiest customers for reviews
- Posting reviews about your own business
Any of these can get your profile suspended, and getting reinstated takes time.
Want it done for you?
Our Google Business Profile service handles setup, verification and the monthly routine, with a plain-English report each month. Not sure where you stand? Run a free audit first.