Your community is full of people looking for the services and products you offer. A well-optimized Google Business Profile ensures they can find you quickly and easily, whether they’re searching for the best pizza place in town, a reliable plumber, or a cozy bookstore.

When your profile is complete and up-to-date, it’s like putting a bright, welcoming sign right at the digital crossroads of your local area. It helps you connect with customers who value supporting businesses in their community.

Creating a Google Business Profile is simple but requires attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your profile is set up correctly.

Step 1: Sign In to Google Business Profile

Go to Google Business Profile and click on the “Manage now” button.

Sign in using the Google account you want to associate with your business. If you don’t have a Google account, click on “Create account” and follow the prompts to set one up.

Step 2: Enter Your Business Name

Type in the name of your business exactly as you want it to appear on Google.

Step 3: Choose Your Business Type

If you’re a service provider, select “Service business.” If you sell products on your website, you can also select “Online retail.”

Step 4: Choose Your Business Category

Type in the primary category of your business and select what is appropriate from the dropdown menu.

For example, if you run a bakery, you might choose “Bakery.” If you’re a personal trainer, you can choose “Personal Trainer.”

Step 5: Add The Local Areas You Serve (Optional)

If you offer in-person services (such as house cleaning, dog walking, or landscaping) in specific local areas, enter them in the dropdown. These areas will appear on your profile.

You can skip this step if it doesn’t apply to you.

Step 6: Enter Your Contact Information

Include your preferred contact method for clients to reach you.

Step 7: Enter A Valid Mailing Address

Google will not display the address you provide here on your profile. However, they require you to enter a valid mailing address to verify your business’s legitimacy and that you actually provide services in this local area.

Step 8: Verify Your Business

Follow Google’s verification process — this could be via mail, email, or recording a short video of your business. For most new profiles, Google will send a postcard with a verification code to the mailing address you provided in the last step.

Once you receive the verification code, log back into your Google Business Profile and enter the code to complete the verification process.

Step 9: Complete Your Profile

Fill out every section of your Google Business Profile. Add a detailed description of your services, business hours, and high-quality images to make your profile stand out.

Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Profile

Once your profile is set up, here are some best practices and tips to maximize its impact:

Maintain Consistent Information Across Platforms: Ensure your business name, address, and contact details match across your Google profile, website, and other listings. Google values consistency.
Encourage Reviews: Reviews build trust. Ask customers to leave feedback after a purchase, appointment, or service. Respond to all reviews professionally.
Highlight Unique Services: Use descriptions like “Custom Cakes for Weddings” or “Eco-Friendly Lawn Care” to stand out.
Use Keywords: Add phrases like “plumber in [city]” or “best coffee shop in [region]” to make your profile discoverable.
Leverage Google Posts: Announce promotions, new products, or upcoming events.
Track Insights: Use Google’s analytics to see how people interact with your profile and refine it accordingly.

Bonus Tip: Add Local SEO To Your Website

Beyond your Google profile, create a dedicated “local” service page on your website and optimize the content for your local area. For example, if you own a masonry company in East Hampton, NY, you would create a simple landing page on your website targeting local keywords like: “masonry in East Hampton” and “backyard design in East Hampton.”

Include a breakdown of your services, a contact form, phone number, and testimonials.

Make Google Business Profile A Part of Your Marketing Strategy

By making Google Business Profile a cornerstone of your marketing strategy, you’re not just boosting your business—you’re strengthening your connection to your neighborhood and creating opportunities to serve the people closest to you.

If you’re ready to build a local client base that knows, likes, and trusts you, don’t wait. Set up your Google Business Profile today and let your business shine in the place where it matters most: your local community.