How to Get Your Business on Google (Step by Step)

By Sameer Bhat · Published 12 April 2026

Create and verify a Google Business Profile to add your business to Google. This free profile shows your hours, location, reviews, and contact details. Complete each step to help customers find accurate information.

Step 1: Check for an existing profile

First, search Google for your exact business name. Google sometimes creates a basic profile from other sources. Claim an existing profile instead of creating another profile.

A duplicate profile can split your reviews. It can also show conflicting information. Google can suspend both profiles.

Step 2: Create or claim your profile

Open Google Business Profile Manager. Claim the existing profile, or create a new profile. Add the following information:

• Use your exact legal business name. Do not add search keywords to the name. This action breaks Google’s rules. Google can suspend the profile.
• Add a real address or an accurate service area. Use a service area when customers do not visit your address.
• Select the most specific primary business category. Do not select a broad category when an accurate category exists.
• Add the phone number that your website shows. Add your website address.

Step 3: Verify the profile

Google shows a profile in local results after verification. Google selects the available methods for your business type and location:

• Mail verification. Google sends a verification code to your business address. The verification code usually arrives in 5 to 14 days.
• Phone or email verification. Google offers these faster methods to some businesses.
• Video verification. Google often uses this method for businesses without a public address.

Complete verification. Google does not show an unverified profile in local results.

Step 4: Complete every relevant field

The required fields create your profile. Other fields help customers understand your business:

• Add all relevant services or products.
• Add regular hours and special holiday hours.
• Upload current photos of your business, team, products, or work.
• Select relevant attributes, such as wheelchair access or appointment requirements.
• Write a simple description that explains your services.

Step 5: Maintain the profile

You must maintain the profile after Google shows it. Use these actions to maintain the profile:

• Ask recent customers for reviews. Google considers the number and age of reviews.
• Add profile updates regularly.
• Respond to positive and negative reviews.
• Update your hours and business information when they change.

Read our Google Business Profile optimisation guide for steps that can improve the profile’s ranking.

Common mistakes that limit visibility

• Selecting an inaccurate primary business category.
• Leaving the profile unverified.
• Showing different business details on the profile and website.
• Ignoring the profile after setup.

Businesses without a public address

Create a service-area profile when customers do not visit your address. This rule applies to tradespeople, consultants, and other mobile service providers. List the towns, regions, or service radius that you cover. You can hide your address while Google uses it for verification.

Set a realistic service area. A large service area can reduce your relevance in the places that you serve. A small service area can exclude places that you serve.

What to do when verification stops

A mail service can deliver a verification code late. It can also lose the verification code. Request another verification code after 14 days. Business Profile Manager includes a resend option.

Check your spam folder when a verification code does not arrive by email. Confirm your phone number when a text or call does not arrive. Do not leave the profile unverified.

How verification differs from visibility

People often confuse verification and visibility. An unverified profile does not appear in local results. Business Profile Manager shows the verification status.

A verified profile can still have low visibility. In this case, check the primary category, reviews, business details, and competitors. Do not repeat verification steps after Google verifies the profile.

After Google shows your profile, check whether customers can find it. Run a free audit to measure your visibility.