Small Business Guide
A Practical Guide to Improving Your Google Business Profile
Keep your Google Business Profile accurate, complete, and useful to people deciding whether to contact your business.
A well-maintained profile helps people check basic details about a business in Google Search and Maps. Accuracy matters more than filling every field with promotional language.
Confirm ownership and core information
Use the official Google Business Profile process to claim or manage the profile and complete any requested verification. Check that the business name reflects its real-world name, and confirm its address or service area, phone number, website, hours, and category. Follow Google's current eligibility and representation rules, especially if customers do not visit your address.
Describe what customers need to know
Choose the closest accurate primary category and add relevant additional categories only when they describe services the business actually provides. Write a clear description of the business, its services, and who it serves. Do not add phone numbers, URLs, promotional prices, or keyword lists where Google disallows them.
Add helpful details and current photos
Keep services, products, hours, and appointment links current where those features are available. Use genuine photos that help people recognize the location, team, products, or work. Update temporary hours and remove outdated offers. Only publish content you have rights to use.
Invite honest reviews and respond carefully
You can ask customers for an honest review without offering a reward or pressuring them to change what they write. Respond professionally, avoid disclosing private customer information, and take service issues offline when appropriate. Never buy reviews or selectively ask only customers expected to leave positive feedback.
Key points
- Keep the name, category, location details, hours, and contact links accurate.
- Follow Google's eligibility and content rules for your business type.
- Use current, genuine images and remove outdated information.
- Ask for honest feedback without incentives or pressure.