A Google Business Profile can support an eligible business’s local presence. Before creating or expanding a profile, confirm that the business meets Google’s eligibility rules, including its requirements for in-person customer contact.
Use accurate business information
Keep your real business name, website, contact details, hours and service information consistent. Do not create an office address or add keywords to the business name simply to target a location.
Choose an available, accurate category
Select the closest supported category that describes the core business. Do not assume a category such as “E-commerce Consultant” is available in every market.
Help customers evaluate the business
Add useful service information and authentic photos. Respond to reviews professionally and follow Google’s review rules. Posts can inform customers, but regular posting should not be presented as a guaranteed ranking tactic.
Measure useful outcomes
Review enquiries and website visits alongside profile visibility. An online-only business should not assume it is eligible for a profile. Read Google’s business representation guidelines.
Confirm the business is eligible
Google Business Profiles are intended for eligible storefront and service-area businesses that interact with customers in person; Google says online-only businesses are not eligible. Check the current eligibility rules before creating or changing a profile.
Keep core information complete and accurate
Use the real-world business name, correct primary category, address or service area where applicable, hours, contact details and website. Google states that complete and accurate information can help a profile appear for relevant local searches.
Use photos, attributes and descriptions to help customers decide
Add current images and factual attributes that explain the business. Keep the description focused on what you offer and what customers need to know rather than stuffing keywords or promotional claims.
Earn and respond to genuine reviews
Ask real customers for feedback using permitted methods and respond professionally. Google notes that reviews and positive ratings can contribute to prominence, one of the factors used in local ranking alongside relevance and distance.
Review profile performance over time
Use the available Business Profile performance reporting to see how customers find and interact with the profile, then improve missing or outdated information.
Create a profile-maintenance calendar
Review hours, categories, photos, service details and website links after operational changes. Seasonal hours and temporary closures should be updated before customers encounter conflicting information.
Use the profile to answer local intent
Make sure the linked website page explains the service and geography a local searcher expects. A complete profile cannot compensate for a vague or irrelevant landing page.
Monitor edits and duplicates
Watch for unexpected changes, duplicate profiles or outdated locations. Resolve issues through Google’s current support and verification processes rather than creating additional profiles to work around a problem.
Keep service and category choices disciplined
Select categories that accurately describe the core business rather than adding loosely related categories for reach. Relevance is stronger when the profile and website describe the same services.
Build a review-response standard
Respond respectfully, avoid sharing private customer information and move complex service issues into an appropriate private support channel. Consistent responses strengthen trust even when feedback is critical.