How to Open a Google Business Profile Account: Step-by-Step Guide

A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most powerful free tools available to local businesses. It puts your business on Google Maps, displays your details in local search results, and allows customers to leave reviews. Setting it up correctly from the start is essential — a poorly configured profile is one of the leading causes of suspensions.

Before You Start: What You Need

Before creating your profile, make sure you have the following ready:

• A Google account (personal or business — a dedicated business Google account is recommended)
• Your exact legal business name as it appears on official documents
• Your business address (if you have a physical location customers can visit)
• Your service area (if you serve customers at their location)
• Your primary business phone number
• Your business website URL
• Your primary business category
• Access to the phone number or postcard address for verification

Step 1: Go to Google Business Profile

Navigate to business.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Click 'Manage now' or 'Add your business to Google'. You will be prompted to enter your business name.

Step 2: Enter Your Business Name

Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your official business registration, signage, and website. This is critically important. Do not add keywords, location names, or descriptors to your business name. For example, use 'Smith & Sons Plumbing' not 'Smith & Sons Plumbing — Best Plumber in Manchester'. Adding keywords to your business name is one of the most common causes of profile suspension.

Step 3: Choose Your Business Category

Select the most accurate primary category for your business. This is one of the most important ranking factors for local search. Choose the category that best describes your core business — you can add additional categories later. Be as specific as possible: 'Italian Restaurant' is better than 'Restaurant'.

Step 4: Add Your Location

If customers visit your business at a physical location, select 'Yes' and enter your address. If you are a service-area business (you go to your customers), select 'No' and you will be prompted to define your service area. Do not list a virtual office, PO box, or residential address if you do not actually serve customers there — this is a common cause of suspension.

Step 5: Define Your Service Area (If Applicable)

If you are a service-area business, add the regions, cities, or postcodes you serve. Be accurate — do not claim a service area that is significantly larger than where you actually operate.

Step 6: Add Contact Information

Add your primary business phone number and website URL. Ensure these are consistent with the information on your website and other online directories. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data across the web can negatively impact your local SEO.

Step 7: Verify Your Business

Verification is required before your profile goes live. Google offers several verification methods depending on your business type:

• Postcard by mail: Google sends a postcard with a verification code to your business address (most common, takes 5–14 days)
• Phone verification: A code is sent by call or SMS to your business phone number
• Email verification: A code is sent to your business email
• Video verification: You record a video showing your business premises and operations
• Instant verification: Available for some businesses that have already verified their website with Google Search Console

If you encounter problems during verification, read our dedicated guide on how to fix GMB verification problems.

Step 8: Complete Your Profile

Once verified, complete every section of your profile. A fully completed profile ranks better in local search and is less likely to be flagged for review. Key sections to complete include:

• Business description (up to 750 characters — describe what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different)
• Opening hours
• Photos (exterior, interior, team, products/services — minimum 10 photos recommended)
• Products or services
• Attributes (accessibility features, payment methods, etc.)
• Q&A section (add and answer common questions proactively)

Common Setup Mistakes That Lead to Suspension

Many profiles are suspended shortly after creation because of avoidable setup errors. The most common include:

• Using a keyword-stuffed business name
• Listing a virtual office or co-working space as a physical business address
• Creating multiple listings for the same business
• Using a personal residential address for a home-based business that does not serve customers at that address
• Choosing an inaccurate business category

If your newly created profile gets suspended, do not panic. Read our guide on how to reinstate a suspended Google Business Profile for the correct steps.

Optimising Your Profile for Local SEO

Creating the profile is just the beginning. To rank well in local search, you need to actively optimise and maintain it. For a full optimisation guide, see our article on how to optimise your Google Business Profile for local SEO.