How to List Your Business in Google: A Complete Guide to Google Business Profile in 2025

Just Google it!

How many times in your life have you heard it? Countless times? From what’s new with NASA to finding the right restaurant for your anniversary dinner, Google processes 6.3 million searches every minute, according to Statista.

If you are a business owner, not appearing on Google searches is a pure nightmare. Imagine customers looking for the products or services your business provides but can’t find you. That’s terrible, and it will happen unless your business gets listed on Google.

Google Business Profile listing allows businesses to appear on Google searches and shows all necessary and relevant information regarding your business. If you wonder how to get my business listed on Google, you’re at the right place.

This article will discuss more details about the Google Business Profile, how to get listed, and how to leverage Google for your benefit like a pro.

Without any further ado, let’s get started.

What is a Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly known as Google My Business, is a free tool provided by Google that allows you to manage how your business appears in Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping.

Moreover, Google Business Profile will let you add tons of necessary information about your business for the convenience of your potential customers.

Here’s a list of information you can add to your Google Business Profile:

• The name of your business
• The current location of your physical store
• Your business phone number and contact email
• Link to your official website
• Category of your business
• Business hours
• Accessibility information like wheelchair ramps, pet-friendliness, etc.
• Adding logo, product images, and videos
• Promoting special offers, events, and updates
• Reservation facilities
• Responding to reviews or answering questions
• Tracking business performance

This is how Google Business Profile will look like when it appears in search results:

Whether you have a physical shop, are a freelancer, or are a service provider, you can get listed on Google regardless of your business type.

Learn how to generate the Google Places API Key to access detailed information about locations, addresses, and reviews.

Benefits of having a Google Business Profile

According to Google’s official data, customers are 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete Business Profile.

However, the benefits of business listing in Google go beyond increasing sales and have a long-term positive impact on your brand.

Here’s a list of benefits of having an optimized Google Business Profile:

• Increase your brand visibility in local search and maps
• Earn the trust of customers through Google reviews
• Facilitate direct engagement with potential customers
• Encourage and accumulate user-generated content
• Improve the SEO of business website and impact the SERP result
• Keep customers up-to-date with the latest information
• Help make informed decisions through different performance metrics data

Now that you have a clear idea of the benefits of Google Business Profile, let’s explore them in more detail.

1. Increase your brand visibility in local search and maps

Though Google does not share its ranking algorithm directly, Google Business Profile, also referred to as a Google My Business profile, surely impacts search result ranking. To understand the concept, let’s learn about Local Pack first.

Whenever users search for a business on Google, they usually see a map, a list of businesses, and top articles. This combination is known as the Local Pack or Map Pack, a core part of Google for my business visibility.

Here’s what Local Pack looks like:

The Local Pack is associated with direct location-based search or terms like “near me” or “where can I find” that contain a hint of location. This type of search is called Discovery Search. Here, users are not directly searching for a business, rather, they search for business types like restaurants or grocery stores.

Suppose your Google listing for a business is up-to-date and well-optimized. In that case, the search algorithm will find it easy to understand the relevancy of your business against Discovery Search and is likely to show your my business listing on Google in the Local Pack.

Make sure to follow the Google business guidelines to improve visibility.

2. Earn the trust of customers through Google reviews

BrightLocal consumer survey 2025 shows that 83% of consumers rely on Google reviews before making their purchase decision from a business. A Google Business Profile listing is mandatory to receive and manage Google reviews.

The reviews are shown in star format, ranging from 1 to 5, and are located right next to your business name.

Reviews are the trust currency in the online world. People will always trust the opinion of the previous customer to gauge the quality of a business.

So, it’s a must to optimize your my business profile to earn reviews and showcase them to attract new customers. If you wonder how to use Google for business, reviews are a perfect place to start.

Learn the most effective tips for getting more Google reviews for your business and winning over the trust of your potential customers.

3. Facilitate direct engagement with potential customers

Google Business Profile listing includes features like a call button, the direction of your business, website address, Q&A, and even an advanced booking option. You can also upload beautiful images or videos of your products or services to give an overview of your Google profile for business.

All these facilities encourage potential customers to better understand your business, engage with you directly, clear away their doubts, and get answers to their questions.

For example, they can look up a restaurant from their Google search result, call them directly to ask if they could arrange a surprise party, and ask whether they have a wheelchair facility or if it is okay to bring pets.

When communication becomes more manageable, customers will naturally feel encouraged to engage and communicate, positively influencing your sales. Additionally, you can establish a more approachable and clean brand image. That’s the power of having a solid business page on Google.

4. Encourage and accumulate user-generated content

Google usually sends notifications to users after they visit a place and ask for information. The questions are pretty simple. Google provides multiple options to choose from for each question and asks for you to leave a review. Sometimes, users are even encouraged to share photos or videos.

This information is purely user-generated content (UGC), and it can help new customers gather authentic information about a business. A Google My Business profile helps brands leverage UGC to attract and persuade new customers.

UGC is not just good; it is the heart of modern business concepts. The valuable experiences of previous customers serve as guidelines for new prospects about a business and lead to generating more sales.

5. Improve the SEO of business website and impact SERP result

The algorithm of Google considers the below-mentioned four factors to rank content against search queries:

• Experience
• Expertise
• Authority
• Trust

This format is also known as E-E-A-T.

Now, the question is how the Google Business Profile listing fits into the scenario. Let’s elaborate.

A well-optimized profile includes accurate business information like contact details and your website. For example, when you list company on Google, it’s important that your NAP details match your site.

Search engines like Google evaluate information such as business name, address, and phone number (NAP) from different sources. If GBP’s information matches your website, it signals that your business is legitimate and trustworthy.

Engagement metrics like how many people click your website, ask for directions or make calls from Google listing for business also indicate to search engines that your business serves more user interest. This will help you build more authority and rank high in Google searches.

That’s not all. Adding Google reviews on your website is also an indicator of the reputation of your business. Whenever a new reviews is added, it provides fresh and updated content for your website that is also an important ranking factor.

Learn more details about how Google reviews impact SEO and boost your online visibility for improved ranking.

6. Keep customers up-to-date with the latest information

Businesses are dynamic. There will always be new product updates, operational hour changes, promotional campaigns, limited-time offers, location changes, and more. But the real challenge is keeping your customers updated with the latest information.

Google Business Profile listing allows you to make changes easily so that your customers can always get the most accurate information about your business. This ease of use is why many business owners ask how to get listed on Google or get listed on Google to stay competitive.

7. Help make informed decisions through different performance metrics data

Here’s a list of data that Google Business Profile provides to the owner:

• Profile Views: You can see how many times your business has been viewed in search and Google Maps.

• Search Queries: GBP provides you with keywords that your potential customers are using to search for your business.

• Customer Actions: You can see the number of different types of actions like calls, website link clicks, and bookings taken by your customers.

These types of information are extremely valuable for understanding your audience better and adjusting your marketing strategies for maximum conversion. Informed decision-making is the key to success in modern business structures.

What are the Google Business Profile requirements?

As you already know, Google Business Profile is a free service. The set-up process is so easy as well (we will get there shortly). However, before you list your business to Google, you need to be sure whether you fit in the eligibility list.

Let’s take a look at the requirements for listing your business on Google:

1. Physical presence or a specific service area: Your business can have a physical store where you’ll serve your customers during the operational hours you’ll set. If your business or service doesn’t have a store, e.g., plumbing service or machine repair, you must mention the area in which you would be available.
2. Accurate information: All the information like your business name, phone number, address must be accurate, and you must follow business eligibility and ownership guidelines of Google. Otherwise, your profile will be suspended.

Step-by-step guide to listing your business on Google

In this section, we will set up your Google Business Profile listing together. We mentioned earlier about how easy the process is. Now, we will guide you through the entire process with easy and digestible steps.

Let’s start building your strong online presence through a Google Business Profile listing.

Step 1: Create a Google account

If you already have a Google account, you can move forward to the next step.

If not, let’s start creating your account. First, go to the Google Sign-In Page and click the Go to Google Account button.

Then select Create account, and you’ll find multiple options. We recommend going with the For work or my business option.

You’ll find two options there:

• Professional Email Address: You can set your custom email address with your business name, e.g., [email protected]. However, this option is available only in premium plans starting from $6.30 per month.
• Usual Gmail Address: It’s a free plan, and you will get the usual @gmail.com address. If you have just started, this option might be better suited for you.

After that, fill in your name, birthday, password, and other necessary information, and you’re all set.

Step 2: Start listing your business on Google

Now, go to the Google Business Profile website and click on the Manage now button to start listing your business.

Step 3: Fill in your business details

You’ll have to fill in different information about your business in this step. First, Google Business Profile will ask you to enter your business name. The name should be accurate like your physical shop.

After that, Google will look up your business name in its database. If your business is somehow in the database, you have to simply select and verify it. Otherwise, you’ll need to create a business with the name.

Then, you have to choose your business type.

You’ll find three options:

• Online retail: Businesses need to provide information like their website URL, contact, and shipping details. This option is suitable for businesses where customers don’t need to visit the physical store and purchase directly from the website.
• Local store: This type is for businesses with physical stores like restaurants, grocery shops, electronics shops etc. Here you have to provide your shop address, directions, phone no, and business hours. Additionally, you can choose your business area with city name, zip codes, or select areas in Google Maps.
• Service business: If you are freelancer who provides graphics, web designs, web developments, or provide home services like plumbing, machine repairing, and don’t need a physical store, you have to select this option.

Regardless of the option you choose, you need to provide your business category next. Note that choosing the right category is extremely important. Your ranking will depend on it.

It is recommended that you choose a category suggested by Google. Otherwise, Google might not accept your request. If your category is not directly available, choose something that better describes your business.

Even if you are confused with your business category, you can install extensions like GMB Everywhere. Then you can search for general keywords about your business to see which category your competitors’ have selected.

After that, provide your business address or the service area.

Then, Google will need to ensure that your business is not a duplicate of the already enlisted businesses. Select None of these to move forward.

Now, provide your business or service area using Google Maps.

Now, you’ll need to provide your business URL (if applicable) and business phone number.

Step 4: Verify your business

After all the information has been provided correctly, it’s time for your business to be verified and listed on Google.

Your business can verified with phone, texts, or via sending verification code to your registered address. Once you provide the code, your business is ready for verification.

Now comes the next part, where you must record a video explaining your business (mandatory for some businesses) and management authority. The entire video must be taken in one shot, and no editing or cutting is allowed. It is recommended to avoid showing sensitive business documents or customer information.

You must show the surrounding streets, your business signboard showing the same business name you provided, and your access to authority-only areas. The video should be a maximum of five minutes long.

Step 5: Add your business operational hours

After verification procedures, you must add your operational hours, select your business days and times, and ensure that the information on your signboards and any other platforms where you provided the same kind of information is accurate.

Then, provide all other necessary information asked by Google.

Note that this information would vary based on your business category. However, make sure that all your answers are accurate.

Step 6: Write your Google Business Profile description

It’s time to write your business description now. Remember that the maximum limit is 750 characters. Make sure that your description includes relevant keywords about your business and highlights your unique selling point.

But remember not to mention any offensive or triggering words. And try to avoid any sales pitches and links.

Step 7: Upload high-quality images describing your business

Now it’s time to make your business visually attractive with amazing photos. You should add beautiful and clear photos of your business or service.

According to Google data, businesses that add photos to their Google Business Profile listing get 42% more customer direction requests and 35% higher website click-through rates.

Clear pictures about products let your customers understand your business better and have a higher persuasive ability.

Top features and tips to leverage Google Business Profile

Once your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing is set up and the verification process is complete, you can access many advanced features that can make your business a brand.

Let’s learn about the top features of GBP and how to leverage them to your advantage:

• Use Google Posts: Use this feature to promote discounts, announce new products, and launch special campaigns directly from your Google Business Profile. You should always use high-quality images and add CTA to your posts to ensure more engagement.

• Enable Direct Messaging: One key advantage of the Google Business Profile listing is that customers can send texts directly to you. So, whenever customers reach out to you, make sure to reply as fast as possible and provide all the support they need.

• Utilize Q&A Strategically: It is normal for customers to get confused and ask questions. So, make sure that you are always active in the Q&A section and answer all questions asked with professionalism.

• Respond to Reviews: While running the business, you’ll come across both positive and negative reviews. But what matters most is responding timely. Responding to all kinds of reviews from your Google business page shows how much you care about your customers.

• Leverage Insights: Use data from Google Business Profile insights to track how customers interact with your business. Analyze these data to update your business description and launch campaigns that can ensure the highest conversion.

Manage Google Business Profile like a pro

It’s not far-fetched to say that we are all part of the Google ecosystem. So, being part of the system is no longer a strategic move; it’s mandatory for businesses. In that sense, a Google Business Profile is a precious gift and getting listed there should be a top priority.

We’ve covered the necessity and methods of getting listed on Google, as well as the best practices for Google Business listing management. We genuinely hope that our article will be a cornerstone of your success journey.

While listing your Google Business Profile is free and easy, always make sure that you update your profile with true information and focus on serving your customers better. Everything else will be fine.