Google Business Profile: a free way for local customers to find you

When someone searches for a service “near me”, Google often shows a map with a few local businesses before any website. Those listings come from Google Business Profile — and creating one is free.

Who it is for

• Shops, salons and offices that customers visit.
• Service-area businesses — tradespeople, cleaners, IT support — who travel to customers. You can hide your home address and list the areas you cover instead.
• Self-employed people who want to look established online.

Setting it up

1. Go to Google Business Profile and sign in with a Google account you will keep long term (ideally one linked to your business email).
2. Enter your business name exactly as customers know it.
3. Choose the main category carefully — it has the biggest effect on which searches you appear in. Add a few secondary categories.
4. Add your website, contact details and opening hours.
5. If you visit customers, add your service areas (towns or postcodes) and hide the address.
6. Verify the profile. Google will ask you to confirm the business through one of its verification methods.

Keep it active

• Add real photos of your work, premises or equipment.
• Write a clear description of what you do and where.
• Ask happy customers for reviews and reply to every review, positive or negative.
• Post updates or articles from your website occasionally.

Need a hand?

I set up and optimise Google Business Profiles as part of local SEO, together with your website — in English or Romanian.