A Google Business Profile checklist for small businesses

Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing a local customer sees. A complete profile gives them what they need without a click.

The checklist

• Use your real business name. Do not add keywords to it.
• Pick one main category that matches your core service.
• Add your address, or set a service area if you travel to customers.
• Add a local phone number that someone answers.
• Set your opening hours, and update them for holidays.
• Add your website address.
• Write a short description of what you sell and who you serve.
• Add real photos of your place, your team and your work.
• Reply to every review in a calm, short message.
• Post an update when you have news or an offer.

Keep it the same everywhere

Use the same name, address and phone number on your site and on every directory. Write them exactly alike. A different spelling makes it harder for search engines to link the listings.

Link it to your site

Make sure the website address on your profile opens a page that matches. Add your details to the page as structured data so machines read the same facts.