Get found by nearby customers

Google Business Profile is for eligible businesses with in-person customer contact. An online-only business generally does not qualify.

1. Search Maps for the business before creating a new profile.
2. Claim the existing profile where possible. Avoid duplicate profiles.
3. Use the real business name and follow Google's verification process.
4. Keep the owner account under business control. Invite helpers through account permissions.

A service-area business that does not receive customers at its address should hide that address. Do not use a virtual office to invent a location.

• Google Business Profile eligibility and rules

Google describes local results in terms of relevance, distance, and prominence. Accurate details help Google understand the business.

1. Choose the most accurate main category. Add other categories only for services actually provided.
2. Check the phone, website, service areas, hours, and holiday hours.
3. Add current photos of real work, the team, and the premises where appropriate.
4. Link the website field to the page that best represents the business.

Keep the name, address or service area, and phone consistent across the website and relevant directories. Do not add keywords to the business name.

• Google local ranking guidance

Use the same neutral request for all customers after completed work. Make the review link easy to open.

1. Open the Business Profile and find Read reviews → Get more reviews to copy the review link.
2. Send the request through the normal customer follow-up channel.
3. Reply to feedback calmly. Move private job details into a direct conversation.
4. Use feedback to fix repeated service problems.

Example: Thanks for choosing us. Would you share an honest review of your experience? Here is the link: [review link].

• Google review links and review policy

Do not buy reviews, offer rewards for reviews, or request only positive feedback. Do not route unhappy customers away from the review option.

Use customer permission before publishing a testimonial or project photo on the website. Keep the wording accurate.

1. Remove sample reviews before launch.
2. Record permission alongside the original testimonial.
3. Check that any displayed licence, award, or guarantee is current and applies to the business.

• Google Maps prohibited content

A tagged website link can separate profile traffic in analytics. Use source google, medium organic, and campaign business-profile.

1. Build a campaign link for the public website page.
2. Replace the profile's website link with the tested link.
3. Compare profile actions, website enquiries, and booked work each month.
4. Ask new customers how they found the business when the source is unclear.

A website click or call-button interaction is not proof of a completed job. Compare the report with the team's actual enquiries.

• Build a campaign link