Maximize Your Reach - Google My Business: Quick Start Guide
If you want customers to find you in Google Search & Maps, a complete Google Business Profile (GBP) is non‑negotiable. It’s free, it shows your hours, services, photos, reviews, and it can drive calls, website visits, and directions with fewer clicks than any other channel.
This guide supplements our video and gives you everything you need: eligibility rules, step‑by‑step setup, 2025 verification realities, optimisation tips, and an Australian‑specific checklist (ABN, holiday hours, and trusted directories).
Quick Primer: What is Google My Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is Google’s free listing for storefront and service‑area businesses. It is also suitable for businesses that provide services at customer locations, not just those with a physical storefront.
To be eligible, businesses must meet customers in person, either at their own location or at the customer's location.
You manage it directly from Google Search and Google Maps, where you can add hours, photos, posts, products/services, and respond to reviews.
Who is eligible (and who isn’t)
To qualify, your business must make in‑person contact with customers during stated hours (storefront or you visit customers in a service area). Storefront businesses are required to provide a physical address, while service-area businesses can choose to hide their business address. Online‑only brands, lead‑gen listings, and PO boxes aren’t eligible.
Australia note: If you’re a service‑area business (e.g., mobile tradie), you can hide your street address and define service suburbs/regions—handy for NSW operators covering towns around Tamworth or the North West Slopes. (General guidance per Google eligibility rules.) Online only businesses are not eligible for a Google Business Profile.
Why adding your business to Google is worth it
Creating a free business profile on Google is one of the most effective ways to increase your business's visibility in search engines.
- Be discoverable where intent is highest. Your Google listing appears directly on Search & Maps with CTAs (“Call”, “Directions”, “Website”), giving your business more visibility in search engines and helping attract more customers by making it the shortest path from discovery to enquiry.
- Control how you appear. Optimizing your business profile helps you stand out in Google Search and Maps. Hours (incl. public holidays), services, products, photos, and attributes (e.g., women‑owned, LGBTQ+ friendly) help you set expectations.
- Build trust with reviews. Responding to public reviews signals reliability, improves conversion, and can influence local pack visibility.
- Insights = smarter marketing. GBP shows queries customers use to find you, and interactions (calls, directions, website clicks) to tune your SEO and ads.
Consistency matters. Keep your Name, Address, Phone (NAP) identical across your site, GBP, and key AU directories (e.g., ABN/ASIC listings, Yellow Pages AU, True Local).
Before you start: What you’ll need
- A business account is required to manage your Google Business Profile, but you can start the process with a personal Google account before switching to your business account.
- Your legal business name (matching signage/ABN), website URL, phone numbers, and operating hours—enter your website URL and phone numbers exactly as you want them to appear.
- Select the correct business category (e.g. Plumber) and any relevant business categories, as this is important for visibility.
- Upload business photos: exterior with signage, interior, team, and work/portfolio shots (used in verification and for conversion).
- If you’re a service‑area business: define the suburbs/regions you cover (e.g. North Sydney, Chatswood, Hurstville, Bankstown, Ryde or Parramatta).
Free features you get with Google Business Profile
When you create a Google Business Profile, you unlock a suite of free tools designed to help your business stand out and connect with more customers right where they’re searching—on Google Search and Google Maps. Here’s what you get at no cost:
- Business information management: Easily update your business name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and service areas so customers always see the most accurate details when they find you on Google.
- Visibility on Google Search and Google Maps: Your business profile appears directly in local search results and on Google Maps, making it simple for potential customers to discover, contact, or visit you.
- Customer engagement tools: Respond to positive and negative reviews, answer customer questions, and post business updates—all from your Google Business Profile account. These features help you build trust and keep your audience informed.
- Photo and video uploads: Showcase your business with photos and videos of your location, team, products, or services. Visual content can help attract new customers and set expectations before they visit.
- Insights and analytics: Access data on how customers find your business, what actions they take (like calls or website visits), and which search terms drive the most traffic—helping you make smarter marketing decisions.
- Free posts and updates: Share offers, events, and news directly on your business profile to keep your listing fresh and encourage more engagement from searchers.
All these features are available for free, making Google Business Profile a powerful tool to manage your business presence, connect with customers, and grow your reach on Google Search and Maps.
Step‑by‑step: Add or claim your Google Business Profile
Add Your Sydney Business to Google My Business Profile
Find or create your profile
While signed into your Google Business Account, search for your business name in Google or go to Get Listed on Google → Manage now. If it exists, choose Claim this business; otherwise, you may need to create an account and start creating a new profile. Your business profile on Google will be created during this process.
Choose the right business type
Storefront (customers visit you) or Service‑area (you visit customers). Ensure it reflects how your business actually operates (eligibility rules apply).
Enter core details
Business Name (must reflect real‑world signage), category, phone, website, hours (add holiday hours for NSW/AU dates), service areas, and attributes. You can also add other details such as business location, add attributes (like 'Women-led'), and edit products to showcase your offerings.
Verification (2025 reality check)
Verification method is assigned by Google—you can’t pick it. Options include video recording, live video call, phone/text, email, or (less commonly now) postcard. You may receive a verification code via text message or other methods. In 2025, video verification is the most common for new profiles and address changes.
Video recording tips: Film outside signage/street, then inside, branded equipment, tools, workspace, and employee‑only access to prove you operate there.
Manage from Search/Maps
After verification, search your business name in Google while logged in and use the inline editor (“Edit profile”, “Add photo”, “Read reviews”, “Performance”). Use the drop down menu to access business profile settings, advanced settings, and features like edit products, add attributes, and publish posts to keep your profile updated and engaging.
Google Ads & Google Services
The system will then prompt you, to setup Google Ads, Google Pay for Click advertising system, for the time being you can simply skip this step.
The same goes for the next screen, which is an offer to combine other Google Services such as Gmail with your new company.
Note: You can generate a review link to share with customers and use various Google services to enhance your profile’s visibility and engagement.
Optimise your free business profile for maximum results
1) Categories & services
Pick the most specific primary category, then add relevant secondary categories and services. This affects the searches you appear for and the features you get (e.g., menus, bookings).
2) Business description
Write a clear 2–3 paragraph summary: who you help, what you do, where you operate, and what makes you different. Use plain language; avoid keyword stuffing.
3) Hours & holiday hours
Add standard hours, special hours (e.g., ANZAC Day, Labour Day, Christmas), and temporary closures to keep customers informed.
4) Photos & videos
Authentic, high‑quality visuals improve clicks and conversions. Keep a cadence to add new photos (team at work, recent jobs, before/after).
5) Posts: updates, offers, and events
Post weekly What’s New updates, create Offers with start/end dates, and add Events—these formats surface differently and can retain visibility beyond seven days (offers/events until they expire; “What’s New” recedes after a week). Keep copy tight (150–300 chars) with a clear CTA (Book, Call, Learn more).
6) Reviews & Q&A
Ask ethically for reviews (e.g. at job completion), reply to every review, and posting answers to common questions in the Q&A section.
7) Messaging has changed—plan alternatives
Google removed Business Profile chat and call history in 2024. Replace chat with your website live chat, WhatsApp/FB Messenger links, or SMS, and make sure your phone and contact links are prominent in your profile and site.
Local SEO essentials that amplify your GBP
- NAP consistency across the web. Match your business name, address, and phone exactly on your website, GBP, and key AU listings (ABN/ASIC, Yellow Pages AU, True Local, etc.).
- Location pages on your site. Create a clear Contact/Service Areas page and, if relevant, dedicated pages for major suburbs/regions you serve, echoing the locale terms customers search.
- Add LocalBusiness schema. Use JSON‑LD to reinforce your NAP, opening hours, and sameAs links.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Pty Ltd",
"image": "https://www.example.com/photos/storefront.jpg",
"url": "https://www.example.com/",
"telephone": "+61 2 1234 5678",
"priceRange": "$$",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 Example St",
"addressLocality": "Barraba",
"addressRegion": "NSW",
"postalCode": "2347",
"addressCountry": "AU"
},
"areaServed": ["Barraba", "Manilla", "Tamworth"],
"openingHoursSpecification": [{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": ["Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday"],
"opens": "09:00",
"closes": "17:00"
}],
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/yourbusiness",
"https://www.instagram.com/yourbusiness"
]
}
- UTM tagging: Add utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp to your website link in GBP so you can see Google Business Profile traffic in analytics.
Multi‑location & agencies
- Multiple locations: Create/claim each physical location and keep categories and NAP consistent.
- Bulk management: If you manage many locations, maintain a source‑of‑truth spreadsheet for NAP, categories, and attributes to avoid drift and suspensions. (General operations advice; follow Google’s eligibility/ownership rules.)
Troubleshooting verification (2025)
- No video option? Methods are assigned by Google and can’t be changed; try the options you’re offered (phone, email, postcard). If you still can’t verify, contact support.
- Video verification tips: Film in daylight, start outside (signage/street), then interior, branded equipment, and secure/employee‑only access. Keep the file steady and unedited.
- Expect more video in 2025. Third‑party coverage and industry practitioners report video as the prevailing method this year—especially for new profiles and address edits—so be prepared.
Australia‑specific checklist
- ABN/ASIC details consistent across your website footer, GBP, and major AU directories (ABN Lookup, Yellow Pages AU, True Local).
- Holiday hours for NSW public holidays (and local show days where applicable).
- Service‑area settings (if mobile/service‑based) to include your realistic radius and key towns.
- Photos featuring your premises/vehicle branding for verification and conversion.
- Replace GBP chat with website live chat or messaging links post‑2024 change.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free? Yes—setting up and managing a Google Business Profile is a free tool provided by Google. All Google My Business management features are part of free Google services. Optional third‑party tools and Google Ads are separate.
Can online‑only businesses get a profile? No. You must make in‑person contact with customers during your stated hours (storefront or service area).
What if someone else claimed my listing? Request ownership from the current manager/owner via Google’s flow; you may need to re‑verify.
Does posting help rankings? Posts primarily influence engagement and click‑through; keep posting to stay visible and relevant in your profile. Adding products to your profile can also help your products appear in Google Shopping, a leading price comparison portal.
Is messaging still available? No—Google discontinued Business Profile chat and call history in 2024. Use alternative channels and keep your phone/website prominent.
Copy‑and‑paste launch checklist
- Confirm eligibility (storefront or service area) and gather proof (signage, interior, tools).
- Create/claim your listing via Get Listed on Google → Manage now.
- Enter accurate NAP, categories, hours (incl. holiday hours), and service areas.
- Complete verification (likely video in 2025) with clear footage inside/outside.
- Add photos regularly—aim for 10–20 authentic images, including high-quality exterior, interior, or product shots. Select a standout cover photo to represent your business and improve visibility in search results.
- Publish one What’s New post and one Offer to start.
- Ask first 5–10 customers for reviews and reply to each. Generate and share a review link to make it easy for customers to leave feedback.
- Replace GBP chat with website live chat/SMS/WhatsApp and ensure your phone number is correct.
- Add LocalBusiness schema and UTM tags to your website link.
- Keep NAP consistent across your site and AU directories
Tie‑in to your broader SEO plan
Local businesses can benefit from integrating Google Business Profile into their broader SEO strategy to improve visibility in search engines.
Use GBP Insights to spot high‑intent, relevant keywords, then build or refine matching pages on your site to capture that demand and improve organic visibility—especially for service‑area terms in NSW.