Schedule Call

How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

Table of Contents

A complete, beginner‑friendly guide to getting your business on Google Search and Google Maps.

If you run a local business — whether it’s a coaching academy, salon, gym, café, trades service, or consultancy — one of the most important things you can do is submit your business to Google Listings. This is how you appear on Google Search and Google Maps when people look for your services.

The best part?
It’s completely free.
And it can transform your visibility almost overnight.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know — step by step — in a way that’s easy to follow even if you’re not technical.

Let’s get started.

1. What Is Google Listings (Google Business Profile)?

Google Listings is the old name for what is now called Google Business Profile (GBP). It’s the box that appears on Google Search and Google Maps when someone searches for a business.

It shows:

  • your business name
  • your address
  • your phone number
  • your website
  • your opening hours
  • your photos
  • your reviews
  • your services
  • your posts
  • your location on Google Maps

This is the digital equivalent of your shopfront — and for many customers, it’s the first impression they get of your business.

If you’re not on Google Listings, you’re invisible to a huge percentage of potential customers.

2. Why Submitting Your Business to Google Matters

Before we jump into the steps, let’s understand why this is so important.

1. You appear in “near me” searches

People search for:

  • “football coaching near me”
  • “barber near me”
  • “kids classes near me”
  • “plumber near me”

If you’re not on Google Listings, you won’t appear.

2. You appear on Google Maps

Google Maps is now one of the biggest discovery tools in the world.
People use it to find:

  • businesses
  • directions
  • reviews
  • opening times
  • photos

If you’re not on Maps, you’re missing out.

3. You build trust instantly

A business with:

  • photos
  • reviews
  • opening hours
  • a website
  • a location

…looks far more trustworthy than one with nothing.

4. You get more calls, bookings, and website visits

Google Business Profile includes:

  • a call button
  • a directions button
  • a website button
  • a booking button (if enabled)

These convert extremely well.

5. It’s essential for local SEO

Your Google Business Profile is one of the biggest ranking factors for local businesses.

3. What You Need Before You Start

To submit your business to Google, you’ll need:

1. A Google account

Any Gmail account works.

2. Your business details

  • name
  • address
  • phone number
  • website (optional but recommended)
  • opening hours
  • service areas

3. A physical location or service area

You can choose:

  • a shop/office location
  • or a service area (if you visit customers instead of them visiting you)

4. Photos of your business

These help build trust.

5. A way to verify your business

Google will ask you to verify via:

  • postcard
  • phone
  • email
  • video call
  • or instant verification (rare)

Once you have these ready, you’re good to go.

4. Step‑by‑Step: How to Submit Your Business to Google Listings

Let’s walk through the process from start to finish.

Step 1 — Go to Google Business Profile

Visit:
https://www.google.com/business
(or search “Google Business Profile”)

Click Manage Now.

Step 2 — Enter Your Business Name

Type your business name exactly as it appears in real life.

If your business already exists on Google (sometimes Google auto‑creates listings), you’ll see it appear.
If not, choose Create a business with this name.

Step 3 — Choose Your Business Category

This is important because it affects how you appear in search results.

Examples:

  • Football Coaching → “Sports Club” or “Football Club”
  • Barber → “Barber Shop”
  • Tutor → “Tutor”
  • Café → “Coffee Shop”
  • Electrician → “Electrician”

Choose the closest match.
You can add more categories later.

Step 4 — Add Your Location (or Service Area)

Google will ask:

Do you want to add a location customers can visit?

Choose:

  • Yes → if you have a physical location
  • No → if you travel to customers (e.g., trades, mobile services)

If you choose Yes, enter your address.

If you choose No, enter your service areas (towns, cities, regions).

Step 5 — Add Your Contact Details

Google will ask for:

  • your phone number
  • your website URL

If you don’t have a website yet, you can select I don’t have a website.

(You can get in touch with us if you don’t have a website and we’d be happy to send over a quote.)

Step 6 — Verify Your Business

Google needs to confirm you’re the real owner.

Verification methods include:

  • Postcard (most common)
  • Phone call
  • Email
  • Video verification
  • Live video call
  • Instant verification (rare, usually if you already verified via Search Console)

If you choose postcard:

  • Google sends a code to your address
  • It arrives in 3–12 days
  • You enter the code in your profile

Once verified, your business becomes publicly visible.

Step 7 — Add Your Opening Hours

Be accurate.
Google penalises businesses with misleading hours.

You can also set:

  • holiday hours
  • special hours
  • temporary closures

Step 8 — Add Your Services

This is where you list what you offer.

Examples:

  • Kids football coaching
  • Baby classes
  • Haircuts
  • Boiler repairs
  • Personal training
  • Web design

The more detailed, the better.

Step 9 — Add Your Business Description

Write a clear, friendly description of your business.

Tips:

  • 2–3 short paragraphs
  • Include your location
  • Include your services
  • Include what makes you different
  • Avoid keyword stuffing

Example:

XYZ Academy provides fun, structured football coaching for children aged 18 months to 13 years across the North West. Our sessions focus on confidence, teamwork, and skill development in a friendly, supportive environment.

Step 10 — Add Photos

Photos dramatically increase trust and engagement.

Add:

  • your logo
  • your cover photo
  • photos of your location
  • photos of your team
  • photos of your services
  • photos of your classes, products, or work

Businesses with photos get:

  • more clicks
  • more calls
  • more direction requests
  • more bookings

Step 11 — Add Messaging (Optional)

Google allows customers to message you directly from your listing.

If you enable this:

  • respond quickly
  • keep messages professional
  • don’t share sensitive info

Step 12 — Publish Your Profile

Once everything is filled in, click Publish.

Your business will now appear on:

  • Google Search
  • Google Maps
  • Local results

This is the moment your business becomes discoverable.

5. How to Optimise Your Google Listing After Submitting It

Submitting your business is only the first step.
To rank well, you need to optimise your profile.

Here’s how.

1. Get Reviews (Consistently)

Reviews are one of the biggest ranking factors.

Ask customers to leave reviews after:

  • a purchase
  • a class
  • a service
  • a positive interaction

Respond to every review — good or bad.

2. Add Posts Weekly

Google Business Profile has a “Posts” feature.

You can post:

  • updates
  • offers
  • events
  • news
  • photos
  • announcements

This shows Google your business is active.

3. Add More Photos Regularly

Google loves fresh content.

Add new photos:

  • weekly
  • monthly
  • after events
  • after new work
  • after new classes

4. Keep Your Hours Updated

Especially during:

  • holidays
  • special events
  • seasonal changes

5. Add FAQs

You can add questions and answers to your listing.

This helps customers and improves SEO.

6. Add All Your Services and Products

The more complete your profile, the better you rank.

6. How Long Does It Take to Appear on Google?

Typically:

  • Verification: 1–12 days
  • Initial appearance: 1–3 days after verification
  • Ranking improvements: 2–8 weeks
  • Strong rankings: 3–6 months

Local SEO is a long‑term game — but the results are worth it.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many businesses accidentally hurt their visibility by making simple mistakes.

Avoid:

  • inconsistent business names
  • inconsistent addresses
  • inconsistent phone numbers
  • fake reviews
  • keyword stuffing
  • using stock photos
  • ignoring reviews
  • leaving your profile incomplete

Google rewards accuracy, consistency, and activity.

8. Why This Matters for Local Businesses

Submitting your business to Google Listings helps you:

  • get discovered
  • build trust
  • attract more customers
  • increase bookings
  • grow your brand
  • compete with bigger businesses
  • appear in “near me” searches
  • appear on Google Maps

For many businesses, this becomes their #1 source of new customers.

Conclusion: Submitting Your Business to Google Is Essential — and Easy

Getting your business on Google Listings is one of the most important steps you can take to grow your visibility, credibility, and customer base. It’s free, simple, and incredibly powerful.

To recap:

The 12 steps:

  1. Go to Google Business Profile
  2. Enter your business name
  3. Choose your category
  4. Add your location or service area
  5. Add your contact details
  6. Verify your business
  7. Add your opening hours
  8. Add your services
  9. Add your description
  10. Add photos
  11. Enable messaging (optional)
  12. Publish your profile

Once you’re live, keep your profile updated, collect reviews, and post regularly.

Your Google Listing becomes your digital shopfront — and for many customers, the first impression that leads to a booking, call, or sale.