This guide is for business owners who already have a Google profile that is out of date: an old name, the wrong category, no hours and no photos. If you have no profile yet, or want to understand how Google ranks businesses on Maps, start with the Google Business Profile guide.
How do you open your business profile?
Sign in with the Google account that manages the profile, usually the one that created it.
- On your phone: open the Google Maps app and tap your round profile picture at the top.
- Choose "Your Business Profile". The management screen opens.
- On a computer: search Google for "my business", or go to business.google.com.
Can't see your business? You are probably signed in to a different Google account. Switch accounts and check again.
How do you add a manager without giving up ownership?
If someone else runs your profile, such as the person who builds your website, do not share your password. Add them as a manager:
- On the management screen, tap the three dots (⋮) at the top.
- Choose "Business Profile settings", then "People and access".
- Tap "Add", type the person's email address and choose the "Manager" role.
Choose "Manager", not "Owner". You keep ownership and can remove a manager at any time.
How do you change the business name?
"Edit profile", then "Business name". Use the real name of the business as it appears on your sign, invoices, website and social accounts. No keywords, no "cheapest" and no city name that is not part of the name.
A name change goes through a Google review, sometimes for a few days, and Google may ask you to verify again by call, text or a short video. Your reviews and rating stay.
How do you choose the right category?
The primary category decides which searches the business shows up for, and it is the most important setting on the profile. "Edit profile", then "Business category". Type a word that describes your main service and pick the most precise category from Google's list. You can add a few more categories for secondary services.
A business that changes direction, for example from DJ to sound company, must update its category. Otherwise Google keeps showing it for searches in the old field.
What goes in the business description?
Up to 750 characters, no links and no promotions. What the business does, for whom, where, and what sets you apart. A good description looks like this:
"[Business name] provides [main service] to [type of customer] in [area] since [year]. We do [service 1], [service 2] and [service 3]. [What sets you apart, for example own equipment, insurance, availability]. To book: WhatsApp or call [number]."
Website, phone and address or service area
- Website: update to your current site address. An old link or a page that no longer exists hurts the profile.
- Phone: the number you actually answer.
- Customers come to you: keep the full address.
- You go to the customers: hide the address and set a service area of up to 20 cities or regions.
Why do opening hours matter?
Without hours, Google sometimes shows "may be closed", and customers move on to the next business. "Edit profile", then "Hours". Enter the hours you answer the phone and WhatsApp, and add "special hours" for holidays.
How do you add services?
"Edit profile", then "Services". Add each service separately, in the words customers search for. For example, a moving company adds "apartment moving", "office moving" and "furniture assembly". Delete services you no longer offer.
Which photos should you upload?
- A square logo and a wide cover photo.
- 10 real photos to start, then one photo a week.
- The work itself, the team, the equipment, the vehicle, and at least one photo of the owner.
Do not upload photos from the internet, screenshots, or photos of people without their consent. Especially not children.
What should you post in updates?
"Add update". One post a week with a real photo: a job you did, what it involved, and how to get in touch. A profile that keeps updating looks active to customers and to Google. For the post button choose "Call" or "Learn more" with a link to your site.
How do you get reviews and reply to them?
The day after a good job, send the customer a short message with a direct link to write a review. Ask them to mention what you did and where, because a review that names the service helps you show up for it. A sample message:
"Hi [name], thanks again for [the job]. If you could spare a minute to write a few words on Google, it would help me a lot: [link]. Thank you!"
- Reply to every review within a day, by name, in a sentence or two. Five-star reviews too.
- Never argue with a negative review in public. Reply politely and invite them to talk by phone.
What must you never do?
- Write reviews for yourself, or ask friends and family to review work that never happened.
- Offer a discount or a gift in exchange for a review.
- Add keywords to the business name.
- Open a second profile for the same business.
- Change the name, address and category many times in a row. Change once and wait for approval.
For violations like these Google can suspend the profile, and the business disappears from Maps until the problem is fixed.
Checklist
- You opened the profile and added managers as needed.
- The business name matches the real name.
- The primary category is precise.
- Description, website, phone and service area are up to date.
- Opening hours and services are filled in.
- Logo, cover photo and 10 real photos are uploaded.
- You published a first post and replied to every existing review.
- From now on, every week: a new review, a photo and a post.