Google Business Profile: The Complete Setup Guide for 2026

Your Free 24/7 Salesperson

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the listing that appears when someone searches for your business or services in your area. It's free, it works 24/7, and it's often the first thing customers see.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Claim your profile. Go to google.com/business and search for your business. If it exists, claim it. If not, create it. Google will mail a verification postcard.

2. Fill out every single field. Business name, category, address, phone, website, hours, services, service area, attributes (wheelchair accessible, women-led, etc.). Complete profiles get 7x more clicks.

3. Add photos — lots of them. Businesses with 100+ photos get 520% more calls. Add your logo, cover photo, interior, exterior, team, and product/service photos.

4. Write a compelling description. Your 750-character "from the business" description should explain what you do, who you serve, and why you're the best choice.

5. Post weekly updates. Google Posts appear in your listing and in search results. Share offers, events, new products, and blog posts.

6. Get and respond to reviews. This is the #1 ranking factor. Ask every happy customer. Respond to every review — positive and negative.

Common Mistakes

• Using a P.O. box instead of a physical address
• Choosing the wrong business category
• Letting your hours become outdated
• Ignoring customer questions in the Q&A section
• Not posting regularly

Run a free audit at https://searchgoodly.com/audit to see how your profile scores.