The Google Business Profile checklist: 12 things to get right

1. Claim and verify your profile. Until it’s verified, your edits may not show and you can’t manage reviews.
2. Use your real business name. Exactly as it appears on your signage and paperwork. No added keywords or suburbs.
3. Choose the right primary category. The most specific one that describes your main service. It’s the biggest relevance signal you control.
4. Add secondary categories. Only for other services you really offer.
5. Set your address or service area. Show your address if customers visit you. If you travel to them, hide it and list the areas you serve.
6. Check your phone number and website. Use a number that’s answered, and link to the most relevant page of your site.

7. Keep your hours accurate. Include public holiday hours. Wrong hours lose customers and trust.
8. List your services. Add each service in the words customers use, with a short description.
9. Write a clear description. Google allows up to 750 characters. Say what you do, who for and where. Put the important part first.
10. Add real photos. Your logo, a cover photo, your work, your team and your premises or vehicle. Skip stock photos.

11. Ask for reviews, and reply to all of them. Make asking part of every finished job. See how to get more Google reviews.
12. Check it every month. Anyone can suggest edits to your profile, and Google sometimes accepts them. Look for unwanted changes, update photos and post news or offers.

Once the basics are right, see how you’re doing across your area. Run a free Google Maps rank check, then re-check in a few weeks.

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