How to Get Your Business on Google Maps

Appearing on Google Maps is one of the best ways to make your business visible to local customers searching for your products or services. Whether you run a restaurant, salon, law firm, or trade service, having your business listed on Google Maps helps people find you quickly and easily. It builds credibility, improves your online presence, and increases enquiries.

This article explains step by step how to get your business on Google Maps and ensure it ranks well in local search results.

Why Your Business Should Be on Google Maps

Google Maps listings help connect your business with people who are actively looking for what you offer. Having a visible listing allows customers to:

• Find your location and directions easily.

• View your opening hours, phone number, and website.

• Read and leave reviews.

• Contact you directly via call or message.

• Discover your services and photos instantly.

Without a Google Maps listing, your business may miss out on local customers who rely on mobile searches to make fast decisions.

Step 1: Create or Claim Your Google Business Profile

To appear on Google Maps, you first need to create a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

1. Go to google.com/business and click “Manage Now.”

2. Sign in with your Google account or create one if you don’t have it.

3. Enter your business name. If it appears in the drop-down list, it may already exist—select it to claim ownership. Otherwise, click “Add your business to Google.”

If your business already exists but is unclaimed, Google will guide you through verification to prove you are the rightful owner.

Step 2: Add Your Business Information

Fill in all essential details accurately, including:

• Business name as officially registered.

• Address (or service area if you visit customers).

• Phone number and website.

• Category (for example, “Electrician,” “Accountant,” or “Café”).

• Opening hours.

This information must match what appears on your website and other directories to maintain consistency. Google relies on this accuracy to confirm legitimacy.

Step 3: Verify Your Business

Verification confirms that your business is real and that you’re authorised to manage it. Most businesses verify by postcard, which Google sends to your address with a unique code.

To verify:

1. Choose the “Postcard by mail” option.

2. Wait for the postcard (typically five days).

3. Log back into Google Business Profile and enter the verification code.

Once verified, your business will officially appear on Google Maps and Search.

Step 4: Optimise Your Profile for Better Visibility

Getting listed is just the beginning. To rank higher in Google Maps, your profile must be complete, accurate, and engaging.

• Upload high-quality photos of your premises, team, and products.

• Write a detailed business description including your services and location.

• Select all relevant categories and attributes (for example, “Wheelchair accessible,” “Free Wi-Fi,” or “Online appointments”).

• Add posts or updates regularly to show your business is active.

• Respond to customer reviews promptly to build trust.

Optimisation improves not only your visibility but also your conversion rate—customers are more likely to choose businesses that appear trustworthy and professional.

Step 5: Encourage Customer Reviews

Reviews play a huge role in local rankings and customer trust. Encourage happy customers to leave feedback directly on your Google listing. The more positive, recent reviews you have, the better your profile performs.

To request reviews, share a direct link to your profile after a sale or service. When responding to reviews:

• Thank the customer by name.

• Address their comments personally.

• Stay polite and professional, even with negative feedback.

This engagement demonstrates reliability and improves your ranking.

Step 6: Keep Your Information Up to Date

An outdated profile can confuse customers and damage your reputation. Update your Google listing whenever you change:

• Opening hours.

• Address or contact details.

• Services or pricing.

• Holiday schedules or temporary closures.

Consistency across your website, social media, and Google Business Profile ensures better local SEO results and a smoother customer experience.

Step 7: Add Location-Based Keywords

To help Google understand your relevance, use location-specific keywords naturally within your profile and website. For example, instead of simply listing “plumber,” use “plumber in Bedford” or “24-hour plumbing services in Milton Keynes.”

These keywords help your listing appear for nearby searches and increase your chances of ranking in the “local pack” (the map section on search results).

Step 8: Monitor Performance with Insights

Google provides insights within your Business Profile dashboard, showing how people find and interact with your listing. You can view:

• How many people called, messaged, or requested directions.

• How often your photos were viewed.

• The number of visits to your website from your listing.

Use these metrics to measure performance and identify areas for improvement.

Step 9: Use Google Maps Posts to Stay Active

Regular posts keep your profile fresh and show Google that your business is active. You can use posts to share:

• Announcements or offers.

• Upcoming events.

• New products or services.

• Photos from recent projects.

Each post appears on your business profile and can encourage customers to engage directly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using inconsistent business information across platforms.

• Ignoring reviews or failing to respond to them.

• Neglecting to update opening hours or address.

• Not adding enough photos or relevant content.

• Forgetting to verify your listing.

Avoiding these mistakes helps your listing stay accurate and competitive in local searches.

Expert Advice from Lillian Purge

1. Complete every detail. A fully optimised profile ranks higher and looks more professional.

2. Be responsive. Regular updates and review responses build trust.

3. Use local keywords. Align your profile with the terms your customers are searching for.

4. Track progress. Use Google Insights to monitor engagement and refine your strategy.

5. Stay active. Posting frequently keeps your business visible and relevant.

Getting your business on Google Maps is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to attract local customers and increase credibility. With a complete, accurate, and engaging profile, your business can stand out, rank higher, and turn online searches into real-world visits and sales.