How to Set Up and Activate Your Google Business Profile

Having a Google My Business (Google Business Profile) is no longer optional for local businesses. Now more than ever, Google My Business is a basic but critical resource that will help you boost your business’s online presence, stand out in search results, and make it easier for customers to find and engage with you — online and offline.

Jump to:

• Is It Worth It to Set Up a Google My Business Page?

• Why You Should Claim Your Google Business Profile

• The Importance of the Google Business Postcard

• Step-by-step Instructions for Setting Up and Activating Your Google Business Profile

Is It Worth It to Set Up a Google My Business Page?

Google is the first place people turn to for information about businesses. It is the world’s largest search engine and the first place most people go to find information - including information about a future purchase.

46% of all searches on Google have to do with local information, and about 92% of searchers will choose businesses on the first page of local search results.

That’s why Google My Business is so powerful — it’s a free platform that lets your business have a listing on Google Search and Google Maps.

Source: Google

It’s the profile featured on the right side of the search results page when people look for your business on Google. This listing has all the information customers need to know about your business — from operating hours to contact details, a link to your website, reviews, and more.

With an optimized Google Business Profile listing, you can ….

• Improve your local SEO ranking. Simply put, an optimized Google Business Profile listing will help drive traffic to your website, including your professional website built through GoSite. It increases your chances in local search — that means when a customer is looking for something local or “near me,” you’ll have higher chances of appearing at the top of the search results page.
• Engage more customers. Google Business Profile's direct messaging feature allows you and your customers to send and receive messages via mobile phone or email.
• Gather online feedback and respond to reviews. More and more online users are using Google Business Profile to get opinions and reviews of a business. With a Google account, they can also leave reviews that will be displayed under your profile. Plus, GoSite makes responding easier with Review Champ, our AI-powered tool that helps you draft replies to reviews. Simply select the tone of voice, choose the length of your message, and send the reply in just a few clicks.
• Boost authority and credibility. An optimized profile leaves a great first impression on customers. They can quickly learn more about your business through the essential information provided — from your products and services to your latest offers, promos, and more.
• Get insights into customer behavior. Google Business Profile gives you access to data — site visits, click-to-calls, maps, and more.  When connected to GoSite, clients can view all of this information in a convenient dashboard, helping them understand their business performance better and make smarter decisions to grow their business.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile is simple and straightforward — we’ll get to the step-by-step process later in this guide. It’s the verification process that takes a little time.

To fully manage your Google Business Profile, you must complete the verification process, which ensures your listing is visible and editable. Verification often involves receiving a postcard, typically within 10 to 14 days, though some arrive in as little as 5 days depending on location. After entering the code, Google may take up to 5 business days to review and approve your profile before it goes live. Accuracy is essential — providing the correct address, phone number, and website is critical, as any changes to these details during the verification process can void the code and require starting over.

Why You Should Claim Your Google Business Profile Listing

Claiming your Google Business Profile is one of the most effective ways to increase your brand awareness and rank higher in Google search results. By claiming your profile, you can edit, verify, and manage how your business information shows up on Google.

Customizing your listing is easy. With just a few clicks, you can add and update details like your business address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. You can also share photos of your storefront and new products, and post about upcoming events and promotions.

The Importance of the Google My Business Postcard

Video verification has become the primary and most common method required by Google for new profiles. While a Google Business Profile postcard — which includes a unique verification code sent to your business address — was once the standard, postcard verification is no longer available for all business types or regions. Many listings won’t even see the postcard option and must instead use video recording or live calls to confirm their business location. Verification ensures Google knows your business location is accurate and valid, maintaining the integrity of profiles on its platform.

If you skip this postcard verification process, you won’t be able to access most of Google Business Profile's features and reap the benefits that an optimized GMB profile offers.

Step-by-step Instructions for Setting Up and Activating Your Google Business Profile

1. Visit Google Business Profile (google.com/business)

Go to business.google.com.

2. Sign In or Create a New Account

Sign in using your Google account. Make sure that you are signed into the Google account that you want to be associated with your Google My Business listing.

If you don’t have a Google or Gmail account, make one first. Click the "Create account" button to set one up.

3. Add Your Business

Once you are signed in, click the "Add Business" button.

What’s the Difference Between Adding a “Single Business” or “Importing Businesses”?

If your business has multiple locations, it’s best to have each location added to your Google My Business account. This way, potential customers can easily find your business no matter where they are searching from. It also ensures that your business appears correctly on Google Maps and in search results.

To add fewer than 10 locations to your profile, click the “Add single business” option. Google will ask you to enter the location information and details, as well as verify the new location.

If you’re adding more than 10 locations to your Google Business Profile, select the “Import businesses” option. Google will ask you to download a template and complete the business information for each listing that you want to add.

What If Your Business Already Exists?

If your business already appears in the search query box when you type in your business name, then that means your business already exists on Google. The next step is to claim it. This will let Google know that you want this listing to be connected to your Google Business Profile. Tip: Don’t create a new listing to “save time.” Google’s AI actively detects duplicate profiles, and starting a new listing could result in your account being suspended immediately.

4. Add or Update Your Business Information

If your business does not appear in your search, select "Create a business with this name."

Enter your business name and a business category that applies to your business. Make sure that the spelling is correct.

Choose the category that fits your business best. Google helps you with several suggestions you can choose from. You can change this later or add more categories.

You will also be prompted to add your business’s physical address, contact details, and website information.

The more specific and accurate information you can provide, the more optimized your listing will be.

5. Verify Your Business

Once your Google Business Profile is complete, the next step is verification. Video verification is now the primary method for new profiles, so many businesses will need to record a short video or participate in a live call instead of using a postcard.

If postcard verification is available, Google will send a unique 5-digit code to your physical business address (P.O. boxes aren’t accepted). You can hide your address if you prefer not to display it publicly. Once you receive the code, enter it in your account within 30 days to complete verification.

After verification, your business will be fully live on Google, allowing you to appear in search results, on Maps, and share your profile with customers. Keep in mind that not all businesses or regions have postcard options — some must complete verification via video or live call.

What Other Online Business Listings Are Important for SEO and Building Your Online Reputation?

Managing online listings is a must for any business that wants to stand out in the digital space. If you don’t have a strong digital reputation, you’ll lose customers to your competitors.

One great way to grow your business’s presence online is to make sure that you have accurate and up-to-date listings on search engines, review sites, and social media.

Besides Google Business Profile, the best directories on the web to list your business include:

• Facebook
• Instagram for Business
• Yelp
• Bing
• Thumbtack
• Tripadvisor
• BAIDU
• Brownbook
• Hotfrog
• iglobal.co
• Infobel / US INFO
• Nextdoor
• Opendi
• Petal Search
• Yalwa
• Yandex
• acompio.com
• ChamberofCommerce
• Citysearch
• Citysquares
• Cylex
• DexKnows
• ELocal
• EzLocal
• InsiderPages
• Judy´s Book
• Localstack
• Manta
• Mylocalservices.com
• N49.com
• Pages24
• ShowmeLocal
• Superpages.com
• UScity.net
• Wand.com
• YaSabe
• YP.com

Why GoSite is the Best App to Help You Manage Your Google Business Profile

Save time by managing your Google My Business listing right from the GoSite dashboard. Our easy-to-use digital tools help you ensure that your Google page and listings on top local directories are accurate, up-to-date, and optimized to display all the important details your customers are looking for.

Connecting your Google My Business account to GoSite lets you:

Accelerate Your Reviews

Once your Google Business Profile is synced, you can easily send review requests to your customers with the option to leave a Google review.

Easily Update Your Business Profile

This integration automatically syncs any updates you make to your business information with your Google Business Profile. You can edit your business information and upload photos through your GoSite dashboard in just a few clicks. All changes will be reflected on your Google My Business profile.

Manage Google Business Messages

You can use your GoSite dashboard to view and answer questions you receive on Ask about This Place. 

Respond to Reviews

This integration allows you to track, manage, and reply to all your Google reviews — straight from the Reviews tool. With Review Champ, our AI-powered feature, you can quickly generate draft replies by selecting the tone and length of your message. Your replies will appear on your Google My Business page.

Manage All Your Online Listings

Finally, GoSite’s Advance Placement feature lets you manage your NAP (name, address, phone number), hours, and profile content across all the directories listed above. There’s no need to jump among scores of online listings - you can update and oversee it all in one mobile-friendly dashboard.