If you run a local business and haven't claimed your Google Business Profile, you're invisible. Here's what it is and how to fix it.
What is a Google Business Profile?
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is your listing on Google Maps and Google Search. It's the box that shows up when people search for your business or "businesses near me."
It shows your hours, address, phone number, photos, reviews, and more. If it's unclaimed or incomplete, you're losing customers to competitors who did the work.
Claimed vs. unclaimed
An unclaimed profile is a ghost listing. Google creates it automatically based on public data, but you can't edit it. No photos. No hours. No way to respond to reviews.
A claimed profile lets you control everything: your business description, categories, photos, posts, and responses to reviews. Claiming it takes 10 minutes. Not claiming it costs you customers every day.
How to claim your profile
- Go to google.com/business and sign in with a Google account
- Search for your business name
- Click "Claim this business"
- Verify ownership (usually via postcard, phone, or email)
- Fill out every field completely
What to fill out (everything)
Don't skip fields. Google rewards complete profiles. Fill out:
- Business name (exact legal name, no keywords)
- Address (must match your website and citations)
- Phone number (local number, not toll-free)
- Hours (including holiday hours)
- Categories (primary + secondary)
- Description (what you do, who you serve, why you're different)
- Photos (exterior, interior, products, team)
- Services or products offered
Ongoing maintenance
Claiming your profile isn't a one-time thing. You need to:
- Post updates weekly (offers, events, news)
- Respond to every review (good and bad)
- Update hours for holidays
- Add new photos regularly
- Monitor Q&A section
We can do this for you
Most local business owners don't have time to maintain their Google Business Profile. We handle it. Claiming, optimizing, posting, responding to reviews, and monitoring performance.