How to Add Your Business to Google Maps

Locating Your Business

Determine if you have a Google Account. You don't have to use a gmail.com address to own a Google account, you can login to Google with just about any email address. For Google Business Profile to work, your Google account must be associated with the location you are trying to add or manage. If you do not have a Google account associated with your business, create one. This account will be linked to the Google Business Profile you are creating. If you do not have a Google account, click on "Sign in", then "More Options" and finally "Create Account" at www.google.com. Follow the instructions to create an account.

Type in www.google.com/business to go to the Google Business Profile page. This is the website that allows you to create a Google business profile.

Click Manage Now. It's the blue button in the center of the screen. This will take you to the Google Sign-In screen if you are not already signed in.

Sign in to your Google account. If you are not already signed in to your Google business account, sign in with the Google account associated with your business. If you are not sure if you are signed in to the right account, hover over your mouse icon in the upper-right corner

Enter your business name. Use the search bar in the center of the screen to enter your business name. Do not enter any extra keywords unless they are part of your business name.

Click Create a business with this name. This option appears under your business name if your business has not yet been created. If your business already exists and is not claimed, you can click your business name in the search results and claim it.

Creating Your Business Profile

Verify your business name and select a business category. Check to make sure your business name is correct in the field labeled "Business name." Then type what type of business you have in the field labeled "Business category." You will see a list of options appear. Click the category that most closely resembles your business. Then click Next at the bottom of the field.

Select if you want to add a location that customers can visit. If your location has a brick-and-mortar location that customers can visit, click the radio option next to Yes. If your business does not have a physical location, click the radio option next to No. Then click Next. If you select "No" you will be asked to add the location that you service.

Add your business address and click Next. You will need to select your country and enter the street address, suburb, town or city, and zip code. Click Next when you are finished.

Select if your business offers deliveries or home and office visits. If your business offers deliveries or home visits, click the radio option next to Yes. If it does not, click the radio option next to No. Then click Next at the bottom of the screen. If you selected "Yes", you will need to enter the areas you service in the field and then click Next.

Enter your business phone number and website. This is the phone number that will appear on your public Google listing. Enter your phone number in the field labeled "Contact phone number." Then enter your website in the field labeled "Current website URL." Then click Next at the bottom of the page. If you don't have a website, click the checkbox next to "I don't have a website." If you don't want to list your business phone number or website, you can click Skip at the bottom of the page. You can add this information later.

Get your verification code. Click an option to receive a verification code. The quickest options are Call or Text. You can click Other options to receive more options. Other options include email, as well as a postcard. Postcards can take 14 days or longer to arrive.

Verify your business code. After you receive your verification code, go to https://www.google.com/business/ and log in. Click Manage now and click Get verified. Enter your verification code and click Submit.

Editing Business Details

Locate your business profile information. You can see a preview of your business profile in the box on the right. This is how your business will look when people search for your business on Google.

Edit your business information. To do so, click Edit Profile in the upper-left corner of the page. This opens a window that allows you to edit your business and profile information. Click the pencil icon next to any field you wish to edit and then use the field to edit your information. Click Save when you are done. This window allows you to edit information such as your business name, category, description, contact information, website, location, hours of operation, and information such as amenities, accessibility, and service options.

Check your reviews. To check any reviews that have been left for your business, click Reviews at the top of the page. It has an icon that resembles a text box with a star in it.

Check your messages. To do so, click Messages at the top of the page. This opens a chat that allows you to view messages from your customers. The first time you click this icon, you will need to turn on the chat. Click Turn on to do so. This will enable the "Chat" icon on your Google Profile. Customers can use this to chat with you or get a quote on your Google Profile listing.

Add a photo. To do so, click Add Photo at the top of the page. This will open a window that allows you to add photos of your business, logos, and a cover photo. Click one of the three options and drag and drop a photo into the box in the middle of the screen.

Check the performance of your profile listing. To do so, click Performance at the top of the page. This will open a window with several graphs you can use to check the performance of your Google Business listing. You can see an overview of your listing, or check the performance of your calls, messages, bookings, directions, or website clicks.

Manage your advertisements. To do so, click Advertise at the top. This opens Google Ads, which you can use to advertise your business on Google.

Add products. Depending on what type of business you have, you may be able to add products to your Google business listing. If this option is available, you can add products by clicking Edit Products at the top. Then click Add Product at the top of the window. Fill out the form to add a new product and click Save.

Edit services. To edit custom services, click Edit Services at the top of the page. This opens a window that allows you to edit services. You may see a list of services already added automatically depending on what your business type and category is. To add additional services, click Add more services below any category. Select a price and add a service description. Then click Save.

Add links to custom bookings. If you have links to your online booking tools, you can add them to your business profile. To do so, click Bookings at the top of the page. Then click Add Link. Paste the link to your online booking tools in the field and then click Save. Even if you don't have a link to a custom booking tool, you can add a link to your contact page.

Add a Q & A. If you want to add a "Questions & Answers" page to your listing, click Q & A at the top of the page. Then click Add a Question at the top of the page. Write your question and click Post.

Add an update to your listing. You can add three types of updates. You can add a regular update for news and information, you can also add an offer or event. To add an update, click Add update at the top. Then click the type of update you want to add. Add a description in the box at the top. Use the drop-down menu at the top. Drag and drop a photo in the box to the right. Then click Post.

Ask for reviews. If you want to ask for reviews, click Ask for reviews at the top. Copy the URL in the box. You can paste it and send it over email, Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, or any other social media app.