Before you start

You'll need a Google account — a Gmail address or a Google Workspace account tied to your business domain. If you don't have one, create one at accounts.google.com. Use a Google account you'll have long-term access to, not a personal account you might lose access to.

Also check whether your business already has a listing on Google. Open Google Maps, search your business name and location. If a listing appears, you'll need to claim it rather than create a new one — this guide covers that too.

Step 1: Go to business.google.com

Visit business.google.com and click "Manage now". Sign in with your Google account. You'll be asked whether you're adding a new business or managing an existing one.

Step 2: Enter your business name

Type your business name exactly as you want it to appear — matching what's on your website, your invoices, and any other online listings. Don't stuff keywords into the business name ("Best Plumber Sheffield Ltd") — Google penalises keyword stuffing in business names, and it looks unprofessional to customers.

If Google suggests an existing listing that matches, it means there's already a profile for your business. Follow the claim process rather than creating a duplicate.

Step 3: Choose your primary category

This is important. Your primary category tells Google what kind of business you are and determines which searches you're eligible to appear for. Be specific:

You can add secondary categories later — for example, a plumber might add "Boiler Installation Service" and "Bathroom Remodeler" as secondary categories. But the primary category carries the most weight.

Step 4: Add your location or service area

Google asks whether you have a physical location customers can visit. Most tradespeople don't — you go to the customer. Select "No, I deliver goods and services to my customers" and you'll be prompted to set a service area instead.

Add the towns, cities and regions you work in. You can add multiple areas. Be realistic — setting an overly large service area doesn't help rankings and can actually hurt them. Google ranks businesses higher in areas where they have strong reviews and a credible presence.

Service area vs address: If you work from home and don't want your home address visible publicly, select the service area option. You'll still need to provide an address for verification, but it won't be displayed on your listing.

Step 5: Add phone number and website URL

Add your main business phone number — the one you actually answer. If you have a mobile number, use it. Customers searching for trades expect to reach someone directly.

Add your website URL if you have one. This creates a connection between your GBP and your website, which supports both your GBP ranking and your organic rankings.

Step 6: Verify your listing

Google needs to verify you're a real business at the address you've provided. The most common method is a postcard — Google sends a card with a 5-digit code to your business address, which you then enter in your GBP dashboard. This typically arrives in 5-7 days.

Some businesses are offered phone verification (Google calls your listed number with an automated code) or video verification (a short walkthrough of your workspace). These are faster but not always available.

Your listing won't appear in local search until it's verified. Don't skip this step.

Step 7: Complete your profile after verification

Once verified, your listing is live but almost certainly incomplete. A complete profile ranks higher and converts more visitors. Fill in every section:

Step 8: Start collecting reviews

From your GBP dashboard, find your review link (Profile > Get more reviews). Share this link with every customer after completing a job. Ask in person, then follow up with a WhatsApp message with the direct link.

Reviews are one of the main factors Google uses to rank businesses in the Local Pack. 20+ reviews puts you ahead of most local competitors. Aim for your first 10 within 30 days of your listing going live.

What to do if your business already has a Google listing

If Google Maps already shows your business, someone else has created it — possibly Google's automated systems, a previous owner, or a customer who added a "missing place". Go to the listing on Google Maps, click "Claim this business" and follow the verification steps. Once claimed, you have full control.

If the listing shows an old phone number or address, you can edit it after claiming. If you see reviews on an unclaimed listing, those reviews will stay with the listing when you claim it.