How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile the Right Way

Start with Google's eligibility rules. A business must make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours. Online-only businesses are not eligible, and service-area businesses should hide an address where they do not receive customers.

Use the real-world business name—do not add cities, services, or keywords that are not part of it. Choose the most specific primary category that describes the core business, then add only relevant secondary categories.

Set accurate hours, phone, website, and service areas. Google allows service-area businesses to define cities, postal codes, or other areas, with up to 20 service areas. Keep these details consistent with the contact information customers see on your website.

Add original photos of the team, equipment, storefront, and completed work. Keep holiday hours and service information current so a customer can act on the profile without finding conflicting details elsewhere.

Ask real customers for honest reviews using Google's review link or QR code, and respond professionally. Never offer incentives, gate negative feedback, or request reviews from people who did not have a genuine experience.

A complete profile does not guarantee rankings. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance, and prominence. Accurate information, a useful website, authentic reviews, and ongoing customer activity support those signals without resorting to keyword stuffing.