Starting a business
How to set up a Google Business Profile for a new business
When someone searches for a business like yours nearby, Google shows a map and a short list of businesses. A Google Business Profile is how you get on that list. It's free, and for many local businesses it brings more calls than the website does.
What you need before you start
- A Google account, ideally with your business email
- Your business name, exactly as you use it everywhere
- Your phone number and website
- Your main category (for example, farrier or horse trainer)
- The area you serve, if you go to your customers
- A few good photos and your logo
If you work from home or go to your customers
You can hide your address and show a service area instead, like the towns or counties you cover. Most people who travel to their customers do this. Google still needs your real address to verify you, but it won't be shown publicly.
The steps
- Go to Google's business profile page and sign in.
- Enter your business name and pick your main category.
- Choose whether customers visit you, and add your address or service area.
- Add your phone number and website.
- Verify your business. Google may ask for a text, a call, an email or a short video, and it can take a few days.
- Once verified, add your hours, services, a description, photos and your logo.
Make it work for you
- Fill in everything. Services, hours, description and photos all help.
- Ask for reviews. Reviews from real customers are one of the biggest signals people look at.
- Answer reviews, good and bad, politely.
- Post now and then: a photo of your work, an opening in your schedule, a clinic.
A tip on big edits
Changing key details like your address or category right after verifying can trigger Google to check you again. Get them right the first time, then add the extras.