How do I claim my Google Business Profile?

To claim your profile:

• Go to google.com/business and search for your business name
• If it appears, click “Claim this business”
• If you do not appear, click “Add your business to Google”

What does it mean to “verify my business” with Google?

Google needs to know that your own the business at that particular address. Verification proves to Google that you are the real owner. Google may verify your business by:

• Mailing a postcard with a PIN to enter
• Sending a text or email
• Asking you to record a quick video

No matter the method, you have to complete the verification step. Then your business will be visible and you can manage your profile.

What information should I add to my profile?

Complete every section of your profile. The better the information you provide, the better your chances are of showing up on Google. Make sure to include:

• Business name
• Address (exactly like it shows on your website)
• Phone Number
• Website
• Business Hours
• Business Category
• Add Services and Products

Your profile is your directory listing on Google which most people see before your own website..

How do I choose the right business category?

Your category tells Google what your business does. My primary category is Website Designer for obvious reasons. Pick the ONE thing you want to be known for… then add a few closely related services.

There are predetermined categories to choose from. Find the one category that best describes your main service as your main category. This will help Google show your business in the right searches.

How many categories should I choose?

You should have one (1) main category and only a few relevant categories on your Google Business Profile.

• Choose ONE primary category (this is the most important)
• Add 2–5 additional categories (only if they truly apply)

Can choosing too many categories hurt my business?

Yes! This is where lots of small business owners get it wrong.

Adding too many categories will absolutely hurt your visibility!

Why? It confuses Google. If you select more than five categories – say you got crazy and added 10 or 15 categories – Google has no way of knowing what your specialty is!

I do provide additional work as part of my website design services, but I don’t list them all because they won’t help Google understand what my business does.

Bottom Line: Sending mixed signals = weaker rankings on Google.

How many services should I list on my profile?

You should only list your core services. Showing 5–10 services on your profile is a great range. Include the main services you actually offer so people know what you do best.

Can listing too many services hurt my business?

Yes, but not in the same way as listing too many categories. You won’t be penalized, but too many will hurt your results.

Listing too many services backfires because it waters down your real focus. Instead of saying “We do everything” you need to say “We specialize in this…”

Google needs clarity about what you do most, and so do potential customers.

Too many listings will attract the wrong leads, brings inquiries you don’t want, and you waste time answering the wrong questions.

Only list the services you want to be hired for!

Pro Tip: Your services should match your category

Are reviews important and can I ask customers for reviews?

Reviews are an important trust signal. They help build trust with customers, improve your visibility on Google, and influence buying decisions. Businesses with more positive reviews might show up higher in local results.

And yes, it’s OK to ask for reviews. Make it easy and friendly. Most of your happy customers are willing to help by writing a review on your profile.

How often should I update my profile?

In 2026, freshness is a major ranking factor when Google AI comes crawling. That’s why I recommend updating your profile weekly. Regular posts signal to AI that you are open for business. A profile with no posts for a long period of time will look “closed” to an algorithm.

Can I manage my Google Business Profile from my phone?

Yes! You can manage everything directly from your phone by searching your business name on Google while logged in, then use the editing options that appear at the top of search results.

I prefer to update my profile using my Google Maps app which is really easy.

How long does it take to show up on Google?

After verification and setup, your business can appear within a few days. However, tanking higher takes time. Making consistent updates and getting reviews will help improve your visibility.

Remember, your Google Business Profile is not a one-time set it and forget it. Your profile is something you need to maintain.