Creating a Google Business Profile listing
Step 1
Log into the Google Account you want associated with your business (or create a Google Account if you don’t already have one).
Step 2
Go to https://google.com/business and select “Start now/Manage now” .
Step 3
Enter your business name.
If someone has already listed you on Google (which isn’t uncommon) then you should see your listing appear.
If your business doesn’t appear, click the result that has the text under your business name that says:
Create a business with this name
Otherwise, if your business does pop up, go ahead and click on it.
Step 4
Enter your business address.
Step 5
If you go to your customers’ locations, rather than having them come to you, check the box “I deliver goods and services to my customers.” And if you work out of your house or another address you don’t want publicly shown, Check “Hide my address (it’s not a store) Only show region.” Finally, select your Delivery area.
Step 6
Choose your business category. Try to choose the most accurate category possible — you’re essentially telling Google which type of customers should see your business listing.
This step is very important too, so don’t rush through this. Take your time and do it right.
When you set your “categories” in you’ll be able to set both primary and secondary categories.
Getting this step right is crucial if you want to show up in Google’s results page when potential customers are searching for a product or service you offer.
Step 7
Add your business phone number.
Step 8
Add your website.
Step 9
Choose a verification option. If you’re not ready to verify your business yet, click “Try a different method” → “Later.”
How to Verify Your Business on Google
Depending on what kind of business listing you’re attempting to create (or manage) you’ll may have a few options available to verify your business:
- By postcard
- By phone
- By email
- Instant verification
- Bulk verification
Postcard Verification
Step 1
If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose the business you want to verify. (If you’re already logged in, you’ll be at the verification step.)
Step 2
Make sure your business address is correct. Optional: Add a contact name — that’s who the postcard will be addressed to.
Step 3
Click “Mail.” The postcard should reach you in five days — make sure you don’t edit your business name, address, or category (or request a new code) before it comes, because this could delay the process.
Step 4
Once you’ve gotten the postcard, log into Google My Business. If you have more than one business location, select the location you want to verify. If you only have one, select “Verify now.”
Step 5
In the Code field, enter the five-digit verification code on your postcard. Click “Submit.”
If your postcard never shows up, or you lose it, you can request a new code by signing into Google My Business and clicking the “Request another code” blue banner at the top of the screen.
Note: Google recommends that you do not edit your business name, address, or category, or request a new code while you’re waiting for your verification postcard.
Doing so can potentially become a nightmare for you to untangle (involving some phone calls with Google customer support).
Phone verification
Google lets some businesses verify their location by phone. If you’re eligible, you’ll see the “Verify by phone” option when you start the verification process.
Step 1
If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose the business you want to verify. (If you’re already logged in, you’ll be at the verification step.)
Step 2
Make sure your phone number is correct, then choose “Verify by phone.”
Step 3
Enter the verification code from the text you receive.
Email verification
Google lets some businesses verify their location by phone. If you’re eligible, you’ll see the “Verify by email” option when you start the verification process.
Step 1
If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose the business you want to verify. (If you’re already logged in, you’ll be at the verification step.)
Step 2
Make sure your email address is correct, then choose “Verify by email.”
Step 3
Go to your inbox, open the email from Google My Business, and click the verification button in the email.
Instant verification
If you’ve already verified your business with Google Search Console (a free tool that lets you manage your website’s search performance and health), you might be able to instantly verify your email.
Step 1
Sign into Google My Business with the same account you used to verify your business with Google Search Console. (Some business categories aren’t eligible for instant verification, so if you don’t get a notification asking you to verify the listing, you’ll have to use a different verification method.)
Bulk verification
If you operate more than 10 locations for the same business — and you’re not a service business or an agency managing locations for multiple businesses — you might be eligible for bulk verification.
Step 1
If you aren’t already logged into Google My Business, sign in now and choose a location. Click “Get verified” next to its name.
Step 2
Click “Chain.”
Step 3
Fill out the verification form with your business name (as well as the parent company, if applicable), country or countries where you operate, all contact names (i.e. everyone who will be using the Google My Business account), contact phone number, business manager email (someone at the business who can verify you’re a representative of that business), and the email address of your Google Account Manager.
Step 4
Submit the verification form. It can take up to a week for Google to review and process your claim.
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