{"id":713,"date":"2026-10-26T03:49:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T03:49:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sitefitters.com\/learn\/guides\/set-up-google-business-profile\/"},"modified":"2026-10-26T03:49:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T03:49:59","slug":"set-up-google-business-profile","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sitefitters.com\/fr\/learn\/guides\/set-up-google-business-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Set Up and Optimize Your Google Business Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"sfl-hero sfl-hero-s\"><div class=\"sfl-w\"><div class=\"sfl-bc\"><a href=\"\/learn\/\">Learn<\/a> \/ <a href=\"\/learn\/guides\/\">How-To Guides<\/a><\/div><h1>How to Set Up and Optimize Your Google <em>Business Profile<\/em><\/h1><div class=\"sfl-lead\"><p>Your Google Business Profile is the free listing that appears on Google Search and Google Maps when people look for your business or for services near them. In this guide you will create or claim your profile, verify it, and fill it out so it stands out from nearby competitors.<\/p><p>For many local businesses, this listing gets more views than the website itself. It shows your hours, phone number, directions, photos and reviews in one place. A complete, accurate profile builds trust and is one of the strongest signals for showing up in local search results.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"sfl-meta\"><span>\u23f1 45 minutes, plus up to 5 business days for verification<\/span><span>\u25ce Beginner<\/span><span>\u2630 9 steps<\/span><span>\u21bb Updated Oct 2026<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/section><div class=\"sfl-w sfl-art sfl-art3\"><nav class=\"sfl-toc\" aria-label=\"On this page\"><b>On this page<\/b><a href=\"#need\">What you need<\/a><a href=\"#steps\">Steps<\/a><a href=\"#mistakes\">Common mistakes<\/a><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/nav><article class=\"sfl-prose\"><div class=\"sfl-box sfl-need\" id=\"need\"><h4>What you need<\/h4><ul><li>A Google Account, ideally using your business email<\/li><li>Your business name, address, phone and hours exactly as customers see them<\/li><li>Your website address<\/li><li>Five to ten good photos of your business, work or team<\/li><\/ul><\/div><h2 id=\"steps\">Steps<\/h2><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>1<\/b><div><h3>Search for an existing listing<\/h3><p>Search for your business name and city on Google Maps. Google sometimes creates a listing from public information, or a past owner may have made one. If you find it and it is unverified, click Claim this business or Own this business, then follow the prompts. If someone else already manages it, you can request ownership from the same screen.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>2<\/b><div><h3>Create your profile<\/h3><p>If there is no listing, sign in to your Google Account and go to business.google.com\/create. Type your business name exactly as it appears on your sign and website. Do not add keywords, slogans or city names that are not part of your real name. Google&#8217;s guidelines forbid this, and keyword stuffing can get a profile suspended.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>3<\/b><div><h3>Pick the right primary category<\/h3><p>Search for the category that best describes your main business, such as Plumber or Bakery, and select it. Your primary category has a big effect on which searches you show up for, so choose the most specific match. After setup, you can add a few secondary categories for other core services. Keep the list short and accurate.<\/p><div class=\"sfl-tip\"><b>Tip:<\/b> Look at the categories your top local competitors use for ideas.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>4<\/b><div><h3>Set your location or service area<\/h3><p>Google asks whether customers can visit you. Choose Yes if you have a staffed location during business hours, and enter the address. Choose No if you visit customers instead, such as a cleaner or contractor, and your home address stays hidden. Then add up to 20 cities or ZIP codes you serve. Google suggests staying within about two hours of driving.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>5<\/b><div><h3>Add your phone and website<\/h3><p>Enter a local phone number that rings at your business and that you control. Add the website page that best represents this location, usually your homepage or a location page. Make sure your name, address and phone number match your website and other directory listings exactly. That consistency helps Google trust your information.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>6<\/b><div><h3>Verify your business<\/h3><p>Google decides which verification methods you can use. Options may include a phone call or text, email, a live video call or a recorded video showing your signage, equipment and proof you manage the business. Some businesses still get a postcard by mail. Reviews usually take up to five business days. Avoid editing your name, address or category while verification is pending.<\/p><div class=\"sfl-tip\"><b>Tip:<\/b> If you have a video option, plan a short clip that shows your street sign, your workspace and you unlocking the door or using business tools.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>7<\/b><div><h3>Complete every section<\/h3><p>Once verified, open your profile and select Edit profile. Add your hours, including holiday hours, a clear business description, your services or products with short descriptions, and attributes such as accessibility options. Upload a logo, a cover photo and real photos of your work, team and location. Profiles with complete details and fresh photos tend to get more calls and direction requests.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>8<\/b><div><h3>Ask for and reply to reviews<\/h3><p>Reviews are one of the biggest local ranking factors. Use the Ask for reviews option in your profile to get a short link, and share it with happy customers by email or text after a job. Reply to every review, good or bad, politely and promptly. Never offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews, which breaks Google&#8217;s rules.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-step\"><b>9<\/b><div><h3>Keep it fresh<\/h3><p>Check your profile at least once a month. Update hours before holidays, add new photos, and share posts about offers, events or news. Look at the performance section to see how many people called, visited your website or asked for directions. Watch for suggested edits from Google or the public, and correct anything that is wrong.<\/p><\/div><\/div><h2 id=\"mistakes\">Common Mistakes<\/h2><ul class=\"sfl-mk\"><li>Adding extra keywords or a city name to the business name, which breaks Google&#8217;s guidelines and can lead to suspension.<\/li><li>Using a PO box or virtual office as the address, which is not allowed and often fails verification.<\/li><li>Creating a second profile for the same location instead of claiming the existing one, which splits reviews and can get both suspended.<\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/h2><details class=\"sfl-faq\" open><summary>Does a Google Business Profile cost anything?<\/summary><p>No. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile is free. Google may offer paid ads that appear alongside listings, but they are optional. Be cautious of calls from companies claiming your listing will be removed unless you pay. Google does not charge to verify or keep your profile.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"sfl-faq\"><summary>Can I list my home-based business without showing my address?<\/summary><p>Yes. When Google asks whether customers can visit you, choose No and add the areas you serve instead. Your address is used only for verification and stays hidden. If you already show an address, go to Edit profile, then Location, and turn off the option to show your business address.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"sfl-faq\"><summary>Why was my verification rejected?<\/summary><p>Common reasons include a business name with extra keywords, an address that is a PO box or virtual office, or a video that does not clearly show signage and proof you run the business. Check that your details follow Google&#8217;s guidelines, fix anything flagged under Review issues, and try again with the method offered.<\/p><\/details><\/article><aside class=\"sfl-aside\"><div class=\"sfl-box sfl-box-o\"><h4>Want to be found on Google?<\/h4><p>On-page SEO, Google Business Profile and analytics are built into our website packages.<\/p><a class=\"sfl-btn sfl-btn-w\" href=\"\/web-design-development\/#pricing\">See website packages<\/a><\/div><div class=\"sfl-box\"><h4>Terms in this guide<\/h4><div class=\"sfl-rel\"><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/google-business-profile\/\">Google Business Profile<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/local-seo\/\">Local SEO<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/nap-consistency\/\">NAP consistency<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/search-engine-optimization\/\">Search engine optimization<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/google-search-console\/\">Google Search Console<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/keyword\/\">Keyword<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/glossary\/organic-traffic\/\">Organic traffic<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sfl-box\"><h4>More guides<\/h4><div class=\"sfl-rel sfl-col\"><a href=\"\/learn\/guides\/choose-and-register-a-domain-name\/\">How to Choose and Register a Domain Name for Your Business<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/guides\/point-your-domain-to-your-website\/\">How to Point Your Domain to Your Website (DNS Records Explained)<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/guides\/set-up-business-email-on-your-domain\/\">How to Set Up Business Email on Your Own Domain<\/a><a href=\"\/learn\/guides\/set-up-spf-dkim-dmarc\/\">How to Set Up SPF, DKIM and DMARC So Your Emails Don&#8217;t Land in Spam<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/aside><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does a Google Business Profile cost anything?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile is free. 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