How to Set Up a Google Business Profile

How To
Written By Kristie Allen

Please Note: Google and website providers occasionally change their menus, settings, and setup processes. If the exact steps shown here are no longer available, simply search Google for:

"How to add Google Search Console to [your website provider]" and follow the most current instructions provided by your platform.

How to Set Up a Google Business Profile

1. Go to: business.google.comSign in with your Google account (or create a new account).

2. Click: Manage Now OR Add Your Business to Google

3. Enter your business name.

  • If your business already appears, claim the existing listing.

  • If not, create a new one.

4. Choose your business category. (You can add additional categories later).

5. Select whether you have a physical location customers can visit.

6. Choose your service area.

7. Add your contact information.

  • Website URL

  • Business phone number

8. Complete the verification process.

Google may verify your business through:

  • Video verification

  • Phone verification

  • Email verification

  • Postcard verification

Follow the instructions provided by Google.

9. Complete every section of your profile.

Add:

  • Business description

  • Hours

  • Services

  • Contact information

  • Website link

The more complete your profile, the better.

10. Upload photos of your business and from your business (Your logo, headshots of you, and images from sessions.

11. Add your services.

Examples:

  • Family Photography

  • Senior Photography

  • Newborn Photography

  • Headshots

  • Extended Family Photography

12. Write your business description.

Explain:

  • Who you serve

  • Where you serve

  • What makes your business unique

13. Start collecting reviews.

  • Send your review link to past clients and ask them to share their experience.

  • Add a “don’t forget to give me a review” link to your emails with new clients

14. Create Google Posts.

Share:

  • Recent sessions

  • Blog posts

  • Special events

  • Photography tips

  • Seasonal promotions

Posting regularly helps keep your profile active.

15. Check your profile regularly

Review:

  • Calls

  • Website clicks

  • Direction requests

  • Search terms

  • Photo views

Verify Google Search Console Is Working

1. Open Google Search Console.

2. Click on your website property.

3. Paste your homepage URL into the Inspect any URL search bar at the top of the screen.

4. Press Enter.

5. Look for one of the following messages:

  • URL is on Google

  • URL is available to Google

Either message indicates that Google can access your page.

6. Click View Crawled Page if you would like to see what Google sees.

7. Submit your sitemap if you have not already done so:

  • Click Sitemaps

  • Enter sitemap.xml

  • Click Submit

8. Check the Sitemaps page for a status of:

  • Success

This confirms Google has received your sitemap.

9. Return a few days later and look for data in:

  • Total Clicks

  • Total Impressions

  • Average Position

Even a small number means Search Console is working and collecting data.

Verify Your Google Business Profile Is Working

1. Search your business name on Google.

Example:

Kristie Allen Photography

2. Confirm that your profile appears.

3. Check that:

  • Website link works

  • Phone number is correct

  • Service areas are correct

  • Photos are visible

4. Log into your Google Business Profile dashboard and verify that you can view:

  • Searches

  • Website clicks

  • Calls

  • Messages (if enabled)

If you can access your dashboard and your profile is visible on Google, your Google Business Profile is working correctly.

Kristie Allen
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