Key takeaways
- Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing people see when they search for your business, or for your type of service nearby.
- Complete every section, choose accurate categories and keep your hours current.
- Ask happy customers for reviews, and reply to every review, good or bad.
When someone searches for “printing shop near me” or for your business name, Google often shows a panel with a map, phone number, opening hours and reviews. That panel is your Google Business Profile. It is free, and for many local businesses it brings in more calls than the website does. Here is how to set it up properly.
Step 1: Claim or create your profile
Search for your business on Google Maps. If a profile already exists, choose the option to claim it. If not, create one at google.com/business. Use an email address the business controls, not a personal one that might leave with a staff member.
Step 2: Verify your business
Google needs to confirm that the business is real and that you run it. Depending on your business, Google may ask for a code sent by phone or email, a short video of your premises and signage, or another method. Follow the prompts; verification can take a few days.
Step 3: Choose the right categories
Your primary category shapes which searches you appear in. Pick the most specific one that describes your main service, then add a few secondary categories for other things you offer. Leave out categories that do not apply.
Step 4: Fill in every section
- Business name exactly as it appears on your signage, with no extra keywords.
- Your address, or a service area if you visit customers instead.
- Phone number in +254 format, and a link to your website.
- Opening hours, including special hours for public holidays.
- Services or products, with short descriptions and prices where you can.
- A plain description: what you do, who it is for, and where you work.
Step 5: Add good photos
Add your logo, a cover photo, the outside of your premises so people recognise it when they arrive, the inside, your team at work, and examples of your products or finished jobs. Real photos do far better than stock images.
Step 6: Get reviews and reply to them
Reviews affect both where you rank and whether people trust you. Ask happy customers for a review right after a good experience; a short link sent on WhatsApp makes it easy. Reply to every review. Thank people for the good ones. For a bad one, reply calmly, acknowledge the problem and offer to sort it out offline.
Never buy reviews or post fake ones. Google removes them and can suspend profiles that break its rules.
Step 7: Keep it active
Post updates, offers or recent work every week or two. Answer questions customers ask. Update your hours before public holidays. An active profile tells customers you are open and paying attention.
Keep your details the same everywhere
Use the same business name, address and phone number on your website, social media pages and business directories. Mismatched details confuse customers and make it harder for Google to trust the information.
Prefer to have it done for you? Our Google Business Profile management covers setup, photos, posts and review replies every month.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Google Business Profile cost anything?
No. Creating and managing a profile is free.
Can I have a profile without a shop?
Yes, if you serve customers at their location. Set a service area and hide your street address.
How long before my profile shows up in searches?
It varies. After verification a profile can appear within days, but ranking well for competitive searches takes steady work on reviews, photos and complete information.
Should I reply to old reviews?
Yes. It shows new customers that you pay attention, and it is never too late to thank someone.
