How to show up on Google Maps: a Google Business Profile checklist

When someone searches for a local business, the map results at the top come from Google Business Profiles. A complete, accurate profile is free and is one of the most useful things a local business can do. Here is how to get it right.

1. Find or create your profile

Search for your business name on Google Maps. If a listing already exists, choose the option to claim it. If not, add your business from Google Business Profile. Use the exact name you use on your sign, your website and your paperwork. Adding extra keywords to your name ("Joe's Plumbing Best Plumber Boise") breaks Google's guidelines and can get your profile suspended.

2. Verify it

Google needs to confirm you run the business. Depending on your business, Google may ask you to verify by phone or text, email, a short video of your location or tools, or a postcard. Follow the instructions exactly. Verification can take anywhere from minutes to a couple of weeks.

3. Storefront or service area

If customers come to you, show your address. If you go to customers, such as a plumber, cleaner or dog walker, hide your address and set a service area of the cities or ZIP codes you cover. Do not use a P.O. box or a virtual office as your address.

4. Pick the right categories

Your primary category matters most. Choose the one that best describes your main service, for example "Plumber" rather than "Contractor". Add a few secondary categories only if they truly apply.

5. Fill in every field you can

• Hours, plus special hours for holidays.
• Phone number, ideally a local number that matches your website.
• Website, pointing to your real site, not a social page.
• Services or menu, with the names customers search for.
• Description: a few plain sentences about what you do and where.
• Attributes such as wheelchair access or online appointments, if they apply.

6. Add real photos, and keep adding them

Upload your logo, a cover photo, photos of your storefront or vehicle, your team and your work. Fresh photos every month or two show the business is active.

7. Ask for reviews the right way

Ask happy customers for a review, and make it easy with your profile's review link. Do not offer discounts or gifts for reviews, and do not review yourself. Reply to reviews, good and bad, briefly and politely. A calm, helpful reply to a bad review often impresses future customers more than the five-star ones.

8. Keep it consistent with your website

Your business name, address, phone and hours should match everywhere: your profile, your website and other directories. Mismatches confuse customers and search engines. If you change your hours, change them in both places on the same day.

9. Post updates

You can post offers, events and updates on your profile. A short post every few weeks, like a seasonal special or a photo of a recent job, keeps the profile looking current.

Common mistakes

• Keyword-stuffing the business name.
• Creating more than one profile for the same location.
• Leaving out hours or using the wrong ones.
• Linking to a Facebook page instead of a real website.

Want help? SiteBee offers a one-time Google Business Profile setup add-on, and every SiteBee site is built to match your profile so customers see the same details everywhere.