How to Use Google My Business: The Complete Guide to Getting Found on Google Maps
I’ll never forget the morning I walked into Rosa’s Bakery—a tiny spot on the corner of Market Street that made the most incredible sourdough. The place had been open for three years, but when I asked Rosa how business was going, she sighed. “People walk right past us. They find the chain bakery two blocks down instead.”
Here’s the kicker: Rosa’s wasn’t on Google Maps. Not properly, anyway. Someone had created a listing years ago with the wrong hours, no photos, and a phone number that didn’t work. Meanwhile, her competitor showed up with dozens of reviews, beautiful photos, and a little “Open now” badge that practically screamed, “Come get your bread here!”
That conversation changed everything for Rosa’s business—and it’s probably why you’re reading this right now. You’ve got a business to run, customers to serve, and bills to pay. The last thing you need is to be invisible when someone searches “bakery near me” or “plumber in [your city].” But that’s exactly what happens when your Google Business Profile isn’t set up, verified, or optimized.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to create, verify, and optimize a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) that actually gets you found—and chosen. No marketing degree required. Just practical steps, real examples, and the kind of advice I wish I could give every small business owner I meet.
What exactly is Google My Business (now Google Business Profile)?
Google Business Profile (GBP)—still widely called Google My Business or GMB—is your free business listing on Google Search and Google Maps. When someone searches for what you offer, your profile shows up with your location, hours, photos, reviews, and a direct way to contact you.
Think of it as your business card, review platform, and storefront window all rolled into one. It’s not just a directory listing—it’s often the first thing potential customers see when they’re deciding whether to call you, visit you, or keep scrolling.
According to Google’s own data, 76% of people who search for something nearby on their phone visit a business within 24 hours. And 28% of those searches result in a purchase. If you’re not showing up in those searches—or worse, showing up with incomplete or outdated info—you’re handing customers to your competitors on a silver platter.
Prerequisites & Materials
Before we dive in, here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Required:
– A Google account (Gmail or Google Workspace)
– Your business name, address, and phone number (exactly as they appear elsewhere online)
– Access to your business location or mail delivery (for verification)
– A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
Strongly recommended:
– Your business website URL
– Business logo (JPG or PNG, under 10MB)
– Photos of your storefront, interior, products, or team
– A list of your services or products
– Your business hours (including holiday schedules)
Optional but helpful:
– Google Search Console account (for tracking how people find you)
– Google Analytics (to see what happens after they visit your site)
Assumptions for this guide:
– You’re a local business with a physical location or service area
– Your business is eligible for GBP (not a prohibited category like rentals without staff)
– You have basic familiarity with filling out web forms
– You’re looking for practical, step-by-step guidance—not advanced API integrations
What we won’t cover here:
– Multi-location enterprise management
– Service-area-only businesses (like plumbers who don’t want to show their home address)
– Advanced schema markup or technical SEO
– Third-party automation tools
If you need any of those, I’ll point you in the right direction—but this guide focuses on getting a single location set up, verified, and optimized properly.
Why Your Google Business Profile Actually Matters
Let me share what happened after Rosa and I spent an hour fixing her profile.
We added proper photos—golden loaves fresh from the oven, the cozy interior with its mismatched chairs, Rosa herself kneading dough with flour on her apron. We corrected the hours, added her real phone number, and wrote a description that actually sounded like her: “Small-batch sourdough made the slow way, plus pastries that sell out by noon.”
Within two weeks, she called me. “I had three people yesterday say they found me on Google Maps. One drove twenty minutes because she saw the photos and had to try the cinnamon rolls.”
That’s the thing about local SEO—it’s not abstract. It’s not about rankings for their own sake. It’s about real people making real decisions about where to spend their money, and your Google Business Profile is often the deciding factor.
Here’s why it matters so much:
Visibility in the moment that counts. When someone searches for what you offer, Google shows a “Local Pack”—those three businesses that appear above the regular search results, complete with maps, reviews, and contact info. If you’re not in that pack (or at least on the map), you might as well not exist.
Trust signals that influence decisions. Reviews, photos, recent posts—all of these tell potential customers that you’re legitimate, active, and worth their time. A profile with no reviews and one blurry photo from 2019? That screams “I don’t care about my business.” Even if that’s not true.
Direct actions without friction. Someone can call you, get directions, visit your website, or message you directly from your profile. No hunting around. No barriers. Just instant connection.
Competitive advantage (or disadvantage). Your competitors are probably using GBP. If they’re showing up with complete profiles, active posts, and glowing reviews while yours is a ghost town, guess who’s getting the customers?
According to BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, and 79% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Your Google Business Profile is where most of those reviews live.
How does Google Business Profile actually work in practice?
Here’s the simplified version: Google wants to show people the most relevant, trustworthy businesses when they search. Your profile is how you tell Google (and customers) who you are, what you do, where you are, and why they should choose you.
The customer journey looks like this:
- Someone searches “coffee shop near me” or “emergency plumber downtown”
- Google shows businesses that match, prioritizing those with complete, active profiles
- The person clicks on your listing, sees your photos and reviews, checks your hours
- They call, get directions, visit your website, or save you for later
Behind the scenes, Google considers:
– Relevance – Does your business category and description match what they searched for?
– Distance – How close are you to the searcher (or the location they specified)?
– Prominence – How well-known is your business, based on reviews, links, and overall online presence?
You can’t control distance (your location is what it is), but you can control relevance and prominence by optimizing your profile properly.
Think of your GBP as a living, breathing part of your marketing. It’s not something you set up once and forget. The businesses that show up consistently—the ones that get the calls and the foot traffic—are the ones that treat their profile like a storefront window: always clean, always current, always inviting.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Google Business Profile
Alright, let’s get your profile live. I’ll walk you through this exactly as I did with Rosa—no confusing jargon, just clear steps.
Step 1: Create Your Google Business Profile
Go to business.google.com and sign in with your Google account. (If you don’t have one, create a free Gmail account first.)
Click “Manage now” or “Add your business to Google.” You’ll see a search box asking for your business name.
Here’s where people mess up: They either:
– Create a duplicate listing because they don’t realize one already exists
– Use a slightly different business name than what’s on their website or signage
Before you type anything, search for your business name to see if a listing already exists. If it does, you’ll see an option to “Claim this business” instead of creating a new one. Claim it—don’t create a duplicate. Google hates duplicates and will penalize you.
If your business truly isn’t listed yet, type your exact business name and click “Next.”
Choose your business category. This is critical. Your primary category tells Google what you do and determines when you show up in searches. Choose the most specific category that fits. For example:
– A bakery that also serves coffee should choose “Bakery,” not “Cafe”
– A hair salon that does nails should choose “Hair Salon” as primary, then add “Nail Salon” as secondary later
You can (and should) add up to 9 additional categories later, but your primary category is what matters most.
Add your location. If you have a physical storefront or office where customers visit, enter your street address. Be precise—use the exact format that matches your mail delivery and what’s on your website.
If you’re a service-area business (like a plumber or house cleaner) who visits customers instead, you’ll have the option to hide your address and add service areas instead. We’ll cover that in a moment.
Add your contact info. Enter your phone number (the one customers should call) and your website URL if you have one. If you don’t have a website yet, you can create a free one through Google, but honestly, even a simple one-page site is better than nothing.
Click “Next” and follow the prompts. Google will ask if you want to receive updates and tips—your call—and then you’ll land on your dashboard.
Time investment: 5–10 minutes
Cost: Free
Common hiccup: “It says my business already exists!” → Great! That means someone (maybe Google, maybe a customer, maybe you years ago) already created a listing. Click “Claim this business” and follow the verification steps. Don’t create a second listing.
Step 2: Verify Your Business
This is the step that trips people up, but it’s essential. Google needs to confirm you’re actually authorized to manage this business before your profile goes fully live.
Verification methods Google offers:
– Postcard (most common) – Google mails a postcard with a 5-digit code to your business address. It arrives in 5–14 days.
– Phone – Google calls or texts a code to your business phone (available for some businesses).
– Email – Google sends a code to an email associated with your domain (rare).
– Instant verification – If your business is already verified in Google Search Console, you might qualify for instant verification.
You don’t get to choose—Google decides which methods you’re eligible for based on your business type, location, and history.
For most businesses, here’s what happens:
- After you finish creating your profile, Google prompts you to verify
- You select “Mail” and confirm your address
- Google sends a postcard (it looks official, with a Google logo and your business name)
- When it arrives, sign into your GBP dashboard, click “Verify location,” and enter the code
- Your profile goes live
A few important notes:
– Don’t request a new code if the first postcard hasn’t arrived yet. Wait the full 14 days. Requesting multiple codes can delay the process.
– Make sure someone at your business knows to watch for the postcard and not throw it away.
– You can still edit your profile while waiting for verification, but it won’t be fully visible to the public until you enter the code.
Time investment: 5 minutes to request, 5–14 days to receive, 2 minutes to enter the code
Cost: Free
Common hiccup: “The code didn’t work!” → Double-check you’re entering it exactly as shown, with no extra spaces. If it still doesn’t work, click “Request a new code” (but only after 14 days have passed).
Step 3: Complete Your Profile
Once you’re verified (or while you’re waiting), it’s time to fill out every single field in your profile. I’m not exaggerating—every field matters.
Google rewards complete profiles with better visibility. Plus, customers trust a profile that’s fully filled out way more than one that looks abandoned.
Here’s what to add:
Business hours: Click “Add hours” and enter your open/close times for each day. Be honest. If you close for lunch or have seasonal hours, note that. And please, please update your hours for holidays. Nothing frustrates customers more than driving to a business that’s supposed to be open but isn’t.
Business description: You get 750 characters to describe what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different. Write this in your own voice, not corporate-speak. Include keywords naturally (like “handmade sourdough” or “emergency plumbing services”), but focus on being helpful and human.
Rosa’s description: “Small-batch sourdough bakery in downtown Market Street. We bake fresh every morning using organic flour and a 100-year-old starter. Our cinnamon rolls sell out by noon, and locals swear by the olive rosemary loaf. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 7am–3pm (or until we’re out!).”
See how that sounds like Rosa? That’s what you’re going for.
Attributes: Google offers attributes like “wheelchair accessible,” “free Wi-Fi,” “outdoor seating,” “accepts credit cards,” etc. Add every one that applies. These show up as little icons and help customers filter their searches.
Service areas (if applicable): If you serve customers at their location instead of (or in addition to) having a storefront, add your service areas. Be specific—list cities or ZIP codes, not just “the whole state.”
Products or services: This is newer, and a lot of businesses skip it. Don’t. Add individual products (like “Sourdough Loaf – $8”) or services (like “Drain Cleaning – Starting at $150”) with descriptions and prices. This helps you show up in product-specific searches and gives customers a clear idea of what you offer.
Appointment link (if relevant): If you take bookings—hair salons, doctors, consultants, etc.—add a link to your scheduling system. This makes it ridiculously easy for customers to book right from your profile.
Time investment: 15–30 minutes
Cost: Free
Pro tip: Don’t leave your description blank or write something generic like “We offer quality services.” That tells customers nothing. Be specific. Be interesting. Be you.
For more on creating engaging, shareable content that reflects your brand’s personality, check out [what makes a blog post shareable](https://butterblogs.com/blog/what-makes-a-blog-post-shareable/).
Step 4: Optimize Your Business Categories
You already chose a primary category when you created your profile, but now it’s time to add secondary categories—and make sure you got the primary one right.
Why categories matter: Google uses your categories to decide which searches to show your business in. If you’re a coffee shop that also sells pastries but you only list “Coffee Shop,” you won’t show up when someone searches “bakery near me.”
How to add or change categories:
- In your GBP dashboard, click “Edit profile” or the pencil icon next to “Category”
- Click “Add another category” (you can add up to 9 additional ones)
- Search for relevant categories and add them in order of importance
Example for a bakery that serves coffee:
– Primary: Bakery
– Secondary: Coffee Shop, Breakfast Restaurant, Pastry Shop
Example for a hair salon that does nails and waxing:
– Primary: Hair Salon
– Secondary: Nail Salon, Waxing Hair Removal Service, Beauty Salon
Don’t go overboard. Only add categories that genuinely describe what you do. Adding irrelevant categories to try to game the system will backfire—Google’s smarter than that, and customers will be confused.
Time investment: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Common mistake: Choosing a vague category like “Store” when a specific one like “Pet Supply Store” exists. Always be as specific as possible.
Step 5: Add Photos, Videos, and Posts
Here’s where your profile goes from “meh” to “I want to go there right now.”
Photos are huge.* According to Google’s own research, businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their websites than businesses without photos.
What to upload:
– Logo – Your official business logo (square format works best)
– Cover photo – A wide, eye-catching image that represents your business
– Storefront – The exterior of your building (helps customers recognize you)
– Interior – Inside your business (makes people feel welcome)
– Products – Your actual products or completed work (not stock photos!)
– Team – Photos of you and your staff (builds trust and personality)
– At work – Behind-the-scenes shots (Rosa kneading dough, a mechanic under a car, etc.)
Photo guidelines:
– JPG or PNG format
– At least 720px wide × 720px tall (higher resolution is better)
– Under 10MB per file
– Well-lit, in focus, and not overly edited
– No stock photos, logos with heavy text overlay, or promotional graphics
Upload at least 10 photos to start, and add new ones regularly. Google loves fresh content, and customers love seeing recent activity.
Videos (optional but powerful): You can upload videos up to 30 seconds long. A quick tour of your shop, a time-lapse of a project, or a welcome message from the owner can make your profile stand out.
Posts (this is where most businesses drop the ball): Google lets you create posts—short updates with text, photos, and a call-to-action button—that appear directly on your profile.
Post types:
– Updates – General news (“We’re open this holiday weekend!”)
– Offers – Special deals (“20% off haircuts this week”)
– Events – Upcoming happenings (“Live music Friday at 7pm”)
– Products – Highlight a specific product
Posts stay live for 7 days (events stay until the event date), then they disappear. That’s why you need to post regularly—weekly is ideal, but even once every two weeks keeps your profile looking active.
Quick post example:
“Just pulled a fresh batch of olive rosemary sourdough from the oven 🍞 Stop by before 3pm today—they won’t last! [Learn more button → website link]”
Add a mouthwatering photo, and you’ve got a post that’ll make people’s stomachs growl.
Time investment: 20–40 minutes for initial photos, 5 minutes per post
Cost: Free
Pro tip: Take photos with your phone. You don’t need a professional photographer. Customers want to see the real you, not overly polished marketing shots.
Step 6: Manage Reviews and Q&A
This is where the magic happens—and where a lot of business owners panic.
Reviews are the lifeblood of your Google Business Profile. They influence your ranking, build trust, and give potential customers a peek into what it’s like to work with you.
How to get reviews:
- Ask happy customers directly (in person, over email, via text)
- Make it easy by creating a review link
Here’s how to get your review link:
– Open your GBP dashboard
– Click “Get more reviews” (or go to the “Home” tab and look for “Get more reviews”)
– Copy the short link (it looks like `g.page/yourbusiness/review`)
– Share that link via email, text, or even print it on receipts
The ask: Keep it simple and sincere. “We’d really appreciate it if you’d leave us a review on Google. It helps other people find us, and we read every single one. Here’s the link: [link].”
Don’t offer incentives (like discounts) for reviews—that violates Google’s policies. Just ask genuinely.
Responding to reviews:
– Positive reviews: Thank them by name, mention something specific they said, and invite them back. “Thanks so much, Jennifer! We’re thrilled you loved the cinnamon rolls. See you next Saturday!”
– Negative reviews: Stay calm, apologize if appropriate, offer to make it right, and take the conversation offline. “We’re sorry to hear about your experience, Mark. This isn’t our usual standard. Please call us at [phone] so we can make this right.”
Never argue. Never get defensive. Even if the review is unfair or inaccurate, your response is for future customers to see how you handle problems.
Q&A section: Customers can ask questions directly on your profile, and anyone can answer—including random strangers. Monitor this section regularly and answer questions yourself to ensure accuracy.
Time investment: 5–10 minutes per review response, 5 minutes per Q&A check
Cost: Free
Common mistake: Ignoring reviews (especially negative ones). Responding shows you care, and it can actually improve your reputation even when the review is bad.
Step 7: Use Advanced Features (Products, Services, Bookings)
Once your profile is live and active, you can layer on features that make it even more useful.
Products section: If you sell physical products, add them here with names, descriptions, prices, and photos. This helps you show up in Google Shopping results and gives customers a preview of what you offer.
Example: “Sourdough Loaf – $8. Crusty, tangy, and made with organic flour and a 100-year-old starter. Baked fresh daily.”
Services section: If you offer services (like haircuts, repairs, consultations), list them with descriptions and starting prices. This sets expectations and helps customers compare.
Example: “Drain Cleaning – Starting at $150. Fast, reliable service for clogged sinks, showers, and toilets. Same-day appointments available.”
Bookings/Appointments: If you use a scheduling tool like Calendly, Acuity, or a salon-specific platform, link it here. Customers can book directly from your profile without visiting your website.
Messaging: Turn on messaging if you’re able to respond quickly (within a few hours). This adds a “Message” button to your profile, and customers can text you directly through Google. Just be warned—if you don’t respond, it hurts your profile more than if you’d left it off.
Time investment: 15–30 minutes to set up
Cost: Free (unless you’re paying for a scheduling tool separately)
When to skip these: If you don’t have products to list or services to detail, don’t force it. These features are helpful but not required.
Step 8: Monitor and Update Regularly
Your Google Business Profile isn’t a “set it and forget it” thing. The businesses that show up consistently—and get the most customers—are the ones that treat their profile like a living part of their marketing.
Weekly tasks:
– Check for new reviews and respond
– Check Q&A for new questions
– Create a new post (offer, update, or product highlight)
Monthly tasks:
– Add new photos (especially if you’ve launched new products or redecorated)
– Update services or products if anything changed
– Review your Insights (we’ll cover this next)
As-needed tasks:
– Update hours for holidays or special events
– Update address or phone if you move or change numbers
– Add new categories if you expand your offerings
Google Insights: Your dashboard includes an “Insights” tab that shows:
– How many people found your profile (and how—direct search vs. discovery)
– What actions they took (calls, direction requests, website clicks)
– Where your photos rank compared to similar businesses
– Popular times (when customers typically visit)
Use this data to inform your strategy. If most people are requesting directions, make sure your address is clearly visible and accurate. If website clicks are low, maybe your website link isn’t working or your description isn’t compelling enough.
Time investment: 10–20 minutes per week
Cost: Free
Pro tip: Set a recurring calendar reminder every Monday to check your profile. It takes 10 minutes and keeps you top-of-mind with customers.
What are the main benefits of using Google Business Profile?
Let’s be blunt: if you’re not using GBP, you’re invisible to a huge chunk of potential customers. But when you do use it well, here’s what changes:
You show up when it matters most. Someone searching “plumber near me” at 10pm with a burst pipe isn’t browsing Yelp reviews for an hour. They’re calling the first business that looks legitimate and available. If that’s you, you win.
You build trust without spending a dime. Reviews, photos, recent posts—all of these signal that you’re a real, active, trustworthy business. You don’t need a fancy website or a big ad budget. Just a complete, well-maintained profile.
You get actionable data. Insights tell you exactly how people are finding you and what they’re doing once they land on your profile. That’s gold for refining your approach.
You level the playing field. Big companies with huge marketing budgets don’t automatically win on Google Maps. A small bakery with great reviews and an optimized profile can outrank a chain. That’s rare in marketing.
You drive real, measurable results. Phone calls. Direction requests. Website visits. Bookings. These aren’t vanity metrics—they’re actions that lead directly to revenue.
Rosa’s bakery? Within a month of optimizing her profile, she was getting 10–15 direction requests per week (up from zero) and averaging 2–3 calls per day. Her revenue didn’t double overnight, but it grew steadily—and more importantly, she stopped feeling invisible.
What mistakes should you avoid with Google Business Profile?
I’ve seen businesses sabotage their own profiles in the dumbest ways. Here’s what not to do:
Leaving your profile incomplete. Every blank field is a missed opportunity. Fill out everything—hours, description, attributes, categories, photos. Google rewards completeness, and customers trust it.
Using the wrong business name. Don’t keyword-stuff your business name (“Joe’s Plumbing | Emergency Plumber | 24/7 Service”). Google will penalize you. Use your actual, legal business name.
Ignoring reviews. Responding to reviews—especially negative ones—shows you care. Ignoring them (or worse, arguing) makes you look unprofessional.
Posting sporadically or not at all. If your last post was from 2022, customers assume you’re out of business. Post at least once or twice a month to keep your profile looking active.
Using stock photos. Customers can spot stock photos a mile away, and they don’t trust them. Use real photos of your actual business, products, and team.
Letting your hours get out of date. Nothing frustrates customers more than showing up to a closed business that Google said was open. Update your hours immediately when they change, and mark special holiday hours in advance.
Creating duplicate listings. If you accidentally create two profiles for the same business, Google will penalize both. Always search for your business first and claim the existing listing instead of creating a new one.
Keyword stuffing your description. Write for humans, not robots. “Best pizza best Italian food best delivery best catering” sounds desperate and won’t help you rank.
Forgetting to verify. Your profile isn’t fully live until you verify. Don’t skip this step or procrastinate entering the code when it arrives.
Not monitoring Q&A. Random people can (and will) answer questions on your profile—sometimes incorrectly. Check this section regularly and provide accurate answers yourself.
When should you use Google Business Profile?
Short answer: Right now.
Longer answer: If you’re a local business—meaning you serve customers in a specific geographic area, whether they come to you or you go to them—you need a Google Business Profile. Period.
Who benefits most:
– Retail stores (boutiques, bookshops, pet stores)
– Restaurants, cafes, bakeries, food trucks
– Service providers (plumbers, electricians, HVAC, landscapers)
– Health and wellness (doctors, dentists, chiropractors, gyms, salons)
– Professional services (lawyers, accountants, consultants, real estate agents)
– Home services (cleaners, contractors, handymen)
– Entertainment and hospitality (hotels, event venues, museums)
Who might not need it (or need to approach it differently):
– Purely online businesses with no local presence (though you can still create a profile if you have a registered business address)
– Businesses in prohibited categories (like ongoing door-to-door sales or certain adult services—check Google’s guidelines
When to prioritize GBP over other marketing:
– When your customers are searching for you by location (“near me” searches)
– When you’re competing with other local businesses
– When you’re just starting out and don’t have a big marketing budget
– When you want quick, measurable results
GBP isn’t a magic bullet—you still need to deliver great products and service—but it’s the single most cost-effective marketing tool for local businesses. And it’s free.
For more on how local SEO fits into the broader world of search optimization, especially with the rise of AI-generated search results, check out [what is Generative SEO and how to optimize for it](https://butterblogs.com/blog/what-is-generative-seo-and-how-to-optimize-for-it/).
Troubleshooting Common Google Business Profile Issues
Even when you follow all the steps, things can go sideways. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:
“I can’t find my business when I search for it.”
First, make sure you’re verified. If you are, check:
– Are you searching from the same location as your business? Google prioritizes nearby results.
– Is your profile complete? Incomplete profiles rank lower.
– Are you using the right keywords? Search for your exact business name, then try category-based searches (“bakery downtown”).
“Someone else is managing my profile and I can’t access it.”
This happens when a previous owner or employee set up the profile. You’ll need to request access or ownership. In your GBP dashboard, search for your business, click “Request access,” and follow the prompts. Google will notify the current owner, and they can transfer it to you.
“I have duplicate listings and I can’t delete them.”
Don’t try to manage both—it’ll confuse Google and hurt your ranking. Mark one as a duplicate:
- Find the duplicate listing in your dashboard
- Click “Suggest an edit” (or report it through Google Maps)
- Select “Remove this place” → “Duplicate of another place”
- Provide the URL of the correct listing
Google will review and remove the duplicate (this can take weeks, so be patient).
“My verification code never arrived.”
Wait the full 14 days before requesting a new one. If it still doesn’t arrive:
– Double-check your address in the dashboard (typos happen)
– Make sure your mailbox is clearly labeled
– Request a new code (but only once)
If phone or email verification was offered and didn’t work, try postcard verification instead.
“My reviews disappeared.”
Google occasionally removes reviews that violate their policies (fake reviews, spam, offensive content). If a legitimate review disappeared, it might have been flagged by mistake. The reviewer can appeal by going to their Google account’s “My Reviews” and clicking “Report a problem.”
“I updated my hours but they’re not showing correctly.”
Changes can take 24–48 hours to appear. If it’s been longer:
– Clear your browser cache
– Check on a different device or browser
– Make sure you saved the changes (look for a confirmation message)
If the hours are still wrong, someone else might be suggesting edits. Check your dashboard for pending edits and approve or reject them.
“People are asking questions in my Q&A and I’m not getting notified.”
Make sure notifications are turned on:
- In your GBP dashboard, click the three-line menu → “Settings”
- Under “Notifications,” enable “Questions and answers”
Also, check your spam folder—sometimes these emails get filtered.
FAQ: Everything Else You’re Wondering
How long does it take for my profile to show up on Google?
Once you’re verified, your profile usually appears within 24–48 hours. If it’s been longer, make sure your profile is complete and published (not in draft mode).
Can I manage multiple locations from one account?
Yes. If you have multiple locations, you can add them all to the same Google account and switch between them in your dashboard. For businesses with 10+ locations, consider using Google’s bulk management tools.
Do I need a website to have a Google Business Profile?
No, but it helps. If you don’t have a website, Google offers a free one-page site builder when you create your profile. It’s basic, but it’s better than nothing.
What’s the difference between Google Business Profile and Google Ads?
GBP is free and helps you show up in organic (unpaid) search results and Google Maps. Google Ads is paid advertising—you pay per click to appear at the top of search results. They work well together but serve different purposes.
Can I delete negative reviews?
Only if they violate Google’s policies (spam, fake, offensive, off-topic). You can flag a review for removal, but Google decides whether to take it down. You can’t remove legitimate negative reviews—only respond to them professionally.
How often should I post updates?
Ideally, once or twice a week. At minimum, once or twice a month. Regular posts signal to Google that your business is active, and they give customers a reason to engage with your profile.
What if my business doesn’t have a physical location?
If you’re a service-area business (like a house cleaner or mobile mechanic), you can hide your address and add service areas instead. During setup, select “I deliver goods and services to my customers” and specify your service areas (cities or ZIP codes).
Can I schedule posts in advance?
Not directly through Google, but third-party tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or LocaliQ offer GBP post scheduling. If you’re managing multiple locations or posting frequently, these tools are worth it.
Will updating my profile hurt my ranking?
No. In fact, regular updates (photos, posts, hours) signal to Google that your business is active, which can improve your ranking. Just don’t change core info (like business name or category) unless it’s genuinely wrong.
How do I know if my profile is working?
Check your Insights tab weekly. Look at:
– Total searches (how many people found you)
– Actions (calls, direction requests, website clicks)
– Photo views (compared to similar businesses)
If these numbers are growing, your profile is working. If they’re flat or declining, revisit your photos, posts, and reviews.
The Bigger Picture: Where Google Business Profile Fits in Your Marketing
Here’s the thing I wish more business owners understood: GBP isn’t a standalone tactic. It’s part of a bigger ecosystem.
Your Google Business Profile works best when it’s connected to:
– Your website – Where people go to learn more and (hopefully) convert into customers
– Your social media – Where you build community and personality
– Your email list – Where you nurture relationships and drive repeat business
– Your SEO strategy – Where you optimize your site to rank for broader searches
When someone finds you on Google Maps, clicks through to your website, signs up for your email list, and follows you on Instagram, you’ve created multiple touchpoints. That’s how trust (and sales) are built.
GBP is often the first touchpoint—the moment someone discovers you—but it shouldn’t be the last. Make it easy for people to move from your profile to your website, from your website to your email list, and so on.
And here’s the good news: you don’t need to do this all at once. Start with GBP. Get it optimized, verified, and active. Then layer in the rest as you have time and resources.
For actionable strategies on driving more traffic once your GBP is up and running, check out [5 proven strategies for increasing blog traffic](https://butterblogs.com/blog/5-proven-strategies-for-increasing-blog-traffic/).
Final Thoughts: Your Next Steps
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most small business owners. Seriously. Most people know they should optimize their Google Business Profile, but they never actually do it. You’re different.
So here’s what I want you to do next:
If you haven’t created your profile yet: Block out an hour this week. Go to [business.google.com](https://business.google.com), follow the steps in this guide, and get your profile live. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be done—and done beats perfect every time.
If you already have a profile but it’s incomplete: Spend 30 minutes filling in the gaps. Add photos, write a real description, update your hours, and create your first post. Small improvements add up fast.
If your profile is complete but stale: Set a recurring calendar reminder every Monday to check reviews, answer questions, and post an update. Ten minutes a week keeps your profile fresh and your business top-of-mind.
If you’re overwhelmed by content creation: I get it. Writing posts, taking photos, responding to reviews—it’s a lot when you’re already running a business. That’s where tools like [ButterBlogs](https://butterblogs.com/) come in. ButterBlogs is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you create high-quality, SEO-optimized blog posts and social content in minutes—so you can focus on running your business instead of staring at a blank screen. It’s designed for people like you: busy, ambitious, and tired of content feeling like a chore.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up, your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful (and underutilized) tools in your marketing toolkit. It’s free, it’s effective, and it works—if you put in the effort.
Rosa’s bakery is thriving now. She’s got a steady stream of new customers, a 4.8-star rating, and a profile that actually reflects the warmth and quality of her business. She still bakes the same incredible sourdough, but now people can actually find her.
That’s what I want for you.
So go claim your profile, optimize it, and start showing up when it matters most. Your customers are searching. Make sure they find you.
