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How to appear on Google Maps: a guide to your Google Business Profile

2 min read

When someone searches for “hair salon near me” or “best restaurant in town”, the first results they see are almost always a map with businesses. Those results come from Google Business Profile, formerly called Google My Business. It's free and, for a local business, as important as the website itself.

Step by step

  1. Go to google.com/business and sign in with a Google account, ideally a business account rather than your personal one.
  2. Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your shopfront and documents.
  3. Choose your main category carefully: it's one of the things that most affects which searches you appear in. You can add secondary categories.
  4. Add your address if clients visit you, or the area you serve if you go to your clients.
  5. Add your phone number and your website address.
  6. Verify your business. Google chooses the method, which can be by phone, text message, email, video or postcard. Until it's verified, your profile may not appear.
  7. Complete your profile: opening hours (including holidays), a description, real photos, services or menu, and prices.

Once it's live: what makes the difference

  • Real, recent photos of your space, your team and your work. Profiles with good photos get more visits.
  • Reviews: ask happy clients to leave one, and reply to every review, including negative ones, calmly and politely.
  • Always-correct information: outdated opening hours are one of the biggest sources of frustration.
  • The same name, address and phone number everywhere: your profile, website, social media and directories. Google trusts consistent information more.
  • A link to your website: the profile brings people in, the website convinces them.

Where does your website fit in?

Your profile shows that the business exists; your website shows why people should choose it. websites include your business details in a format Google understands (type of business, address, opening hours), which strengthens your profile. And we help you set up or review your profile.

Google changes its tools often. If a step looks different, the essentials stay the same: complete, correct and up-to-date information.