Your Google Business Profile checklist

Why it matters

For many local searches, your Google Business Profile is the first thing people see, before your website. A complete, accurate profile helps people decide to call, visit or book. Everything below is free and managed at business.google.com.

The basics

• Claim and verify your profile, so only you can change it.
• Use your real business name, exactly as it appears on your signage and paperwork.
• Choose the most specific primary category that fits, then add a few relevant secondary categories.
• Add your address, or set a service area if you visit customers instead of having them visit you.
• Add a phone number you answer and a link to your website.

Hours people can trust

• Set your normal opening hours.
• Add special hours ahead of bank holidays, Christmas and any planned closures.
• Update hours the same day if something changes, so nobody arrives to a locked door.

Make it easy to act

• Add your services or products with short descriptions, and prices where you are happy to share them.
• Add a booking or appointment link if customers can book online.
• Write a clear business description: what you do, where, and for whom.

Show what you are like

• Upload real photos of your premises, your team at work and your finished jobs or products.
• Add new photos from time to time, so the profile looks current.
• Post updates when you have news, offers or events.

Keep your details consistent

Make sure your business name, address and phone number match everywhere they appear: your website, social profiles and directory listings. Mismatched details confuse customers and make it harder for search engines to trust your listing.

Reply to reviews

Thank people for positive reviews and reply calmly and helpfully to negative ones. Your replies are public, so future customers read them too.