Why your Google Business Profile matters

When someone searches for a business like yours, or for something like "accountant near me", Google often shows a map with a few local businesses before the normal search results. Those listings come from Google Business Profiles. A complete, active profile with good reviews gives you a much better chance of being one of them.

Step 1: Create the profile

  1. Go to business.google.com and sign in with the Google account you want to manage the business from. Use a business email address rather than a personal one if you can.
  2. Enter your business name exactly as customers see it on your signs, website and invoices. Don't add extra keywords or locations to the name; Google's guidelines don't allow it and it can get a profile suspended.
  3. Choose your primary category: the one that best describes your main business, for example "Accountant" or "Website designer". You can add a few secondary categories later.

Step 2: Location or service area

If customers visit you, add your address. If you go to your customers, or work from home and don't want your address shown, set up a service-area business and list the towns or areas you cover instead.

Step 3: Contact details and website

Add your phone number and website. Use exactly the same business name, address and phone number everywhere online (your website, social media and directories). Consistent details help Google trust that the information is correct.

Step 4: Verify your business

Google needs to confirm the business is real before your profile shows publicly and before you can manage it fully. Google chooses the verification method, and it is often a short video showing your business, signage, tools or premises. Follow the instructions on screen, and don't edit key details such as your name or address while verification is in progress.

Step 5: Complete every section

  • Business description: up to 750 characters about what you do, who for and where. Write it for customers; don't include links or price promotions.
  • Opening hours, including holiday hours when they change.
  • Services: list each service, with a short description.
  • Photos: your logo, a cover photo, your team, your work and your premises. Real photos are better than stock images.
  • Booking or appointment link, if customers can book online.

Step 6: Keep it active

  • Post updates regularly: news, offers, recent work or a short video.
  • Ask every happy customer for a review, using the review link in your profile. Never pay or reward people for reviews, and don't offer anything to change a bad one; Google removes incentivised reviews and can restrict your profile. See how to get more Google reviews.
  • Reply to every review, good and bad, politely and promptly.
  • Check your details every few months, and update them whenever your hours, phone number or services change.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Stuffing keywords or town names into the business name.
  • Using different phone numbers or addresses on different websites.
  • Setting up the profile and never touching it again.
  • Ignoring reviews, especially negative ones.
  • Creating more than one profile for the same business.

Want it done for you?

Keeping your Google Business Profile active and up to date, asking for reviews after each job and posting regular updates are all part of the Sonnatt.ai monthly plan. See our Google Business Profile management and marketing and social media services.