How to Add Your Business to Google Maps: A Step By Step Guide

Creating a Google Business Profile is the only way to show up in Google Maps search results. This profile will also help you show up in local search results on the main Google search engine. Below, I’ve outlined a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to setting up your Google Business Profile, ensuring you cover all bases to maximize your visibility and engagement with potential customers.

Step 1: Sign In to Google My Business

• Start by visiting Google My Business.
• Sign in with your standard Google account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create it. It’s advisable to use a business email account for this purpose.

Step 2: Add Your Business

• Once signed in, click on “Start now” or “Manage now.”
• Enter your business name. If it appears in the dropdown menu, select it; this means Google already has some information about your business. If not, continue to add your business details.

Step 3: Choose Your Business Category

• Carefully select the category that best fits your business. This is crucial for Google to understand what type of customers should see your business listing. You can change and add more categories later, but your primary category is most important.

Step 4: Add Location Details

• If you have a physical location customers can visit, select “Yes” when asked and provide your business address. Ensure accuracy to avoid issues with verification later.
• If you operate in a service area but don’t have a location customers can visit, you can list your service areas.

Step 5: Add Contact Details

• Provide your business phone number and website address. This information allows potential customers to reach out to you easily.

Step 6: Verification

• Google requires verification to confirm that your business is legitimate. The most common method is via a postcard sent to your business address. Other methods, such as email, phone, or instant verification, might be available depending on your business type.
• Follow the prompts to initiate the verification process. Do not change your business name, address, or category after this point until you’ve completed verification, as it might require you to start over.

Step 7: Customize Your Profile

• After verification, access your Google Business Profile dashboard to add more details like your business hours, description, photos, and more. The more complete your profile, the more engaging it will be for potential customers.

Step 8: Ask for Reviews and Engage with Customers

• Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your profile. Respond to these reviews to show that you value customer feedback. This engagement can improve your visibility and attractiveness to potential customers.

Step 9: Regular Updates and Posts

• Keep your profile updated with the latest information, and use the Posts feature to share updates, offers, and events. This keeps your profile active and engaging for users.

Step 10: Monitor Insights

• Utilize the insights provided by Google My Business to understand how customers interact with your profile. This data can help you adjust your strategy and improve your online presence.

Why Is My Business Not Showing Up on Google Maps?

A common concern I encounter in my consultations is businesses not appearing on Google Maps. If you’ve found yourself in this predicament, fear not. I’m here to dissect the possible reasons and offer practical solutions to ensure your business not only appears but shines on Google Maps.

1. Verification Hurdles

The initial step in claiming your spot on Google Maps is through Google My Business (GMB). A common oversight is incomplete verification. Google requires a verification process, typically through a mailed postcard, to confirm the authenticity of your business location. If you’ve skipped or not completed this step, your business won’t make its debut on the map.

Solution

Double-check your GMB account and complete the verification process. Ensure your address details are accurate to avoid delays in receiving the verification postcard.

2. Inaccurate or Incomplete Information

Google prioritizes the user experience, favoring listings that provide comprehensive and accurate information. If your business listing is incomplete or fraught with inaccuracies—be it in your address, operating hours, or contact details—your visibility on Google Maps could be compromised.

Solution

Perform a thorough audit of your GMB listing. Update all essential information, ensuring it’s both accurate and reflective of your current business operations. Consistency is key, so make sure your details match across all online platforms.

3. Lack of Reviews and Engagement

Engagement metrics, including customer reviews, play a significant role in local search rankings. A sparse review profile or lack of responses to existing reviews can signal to Google that your business might not be the best result for local queries.

Solution

Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, and make it a practice to respond thoughtfully to all reviews, good or bad. This not only boosts your visibility but also fosters a positive relationship with your clientele.

4. Poor Website SEO

Your website’s SEO health directly influences your Google Maps visibility. A website with poor SEO practices, such as slow loading times, non-mobile-friendly design, and lackluster content, can hinder your Google Maps ranking.

Solution

Invest in a comprehensive SEO audit of your website. Prioritize mobile optimization, improve site speed, and ensure your content is both valuable and relevant to your target audience.

5. Lack of Local Citations

Local citations, mentions of your business name, and address on other web pages, including local directories, enhance your credibility and visibility on Google Maps. A deficiency in this area can be detrimental to your local SEO efforts.

Solution

Develop a strategy to increase your local citations. List your business in reputable local directories, engage in community events, and seek opportunities for local press coverage.

6. Google My Business Category Misalignment

The category you choose for your GMB listing can significantly impact your visibility. An incorrect or too broad category may dilute your relevance to specific searches.

Solution

Choose the most accurate and specific category that represents your business. Regularly review this choice to ensure it remains the best fit as your business evolves.

7. Proximity Limitations

Google Maps prioritizes businesses closest to the searcher’s location for hyper-local searches. If your business is on the outskirts of a search area, it might not appear for certain local queries.

Solution

While you can’t change your physical location, you can improve other ranking factors, such as reviews, local citations, and on-site SEO, to boost your overall visibility.

In Closing

Visibility on Google Maps is a blend of art and science, requiring meticulous attention to detail, consistency, and engagement. Start by setting up your Google Business Profile according to the steps outlined above. 

If your business is facing invisibility on Google Maps, consider the points above as a checklist to diagnose and remedy the issue. Remember, the digital landscape is ever-evolving, and so should your strategies. Stay informed, stay engaged, and, most importantly, stay visible.

Navigating SEO, especially the intricacies of local SEO and Google Maps visibility, is a journey best undertaken with a clear strategy and an open mind to the dynamic nature of digital marketing. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, Evolve SEO Services is here to guide you through each step, ensuring your business not only appears on Google Maps but stands out as a beacon to your local customers.