Question

How do I put my business on Google?

Locus Intelligence team
Updated 2 min readReach · Attract

Short answer 42 words

Create or claim a Google Business Profile, then verify it. That is how a business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. Go to business.google.com/add, enter your name, category, address or service area, phone and hours, and complete verification. It is free.

The fuller answer

A website helps, but the profile is the part that puts you in local results. Eligible businesses are those that meet customers in person or travel to them; Google explains it in Add or claim your Business Profile.

Step 1: check whether a profile already exists

Search your business name on Google or Maps. If an unverified profile exists, choose Claim this business and Manage now. If someone else already verified it, request ownership rather than creating a duplicate. Duplicates split reviews and can get a profile suspended (why).

Step 2: add the business

  • Go to business.google.com/add and sign in with a Google account the business owns.
  • Enter the exact name from your sign, the primary category, the address or service area, phone, website and hours.
  • Check the pin sits on the right spot.

Step 3: verify it

Choose the method Google shows: code by phone or text, email, video recording, live video call or a mailed postcard. Read how to verify your business on Google. Until you verify, you have limited control.

Step 4: complete the profile

Add photos of the storefront and work, a clear description, services and a link to your website. Then run the free Google Business Profile audit to see what is still missing. The optimization checklist shows the order to do it in.

If you want to appear in more than Google, add the same details to Apple Maps and Bing. See listings management.

Which path are you on?
  1. Does a profile for your business already exist?
    No
    Add it at business.google.com/add.
    Yes
  2. Is it unverified?
    No
    Request ownership from the current owner.
    Yes
    Claim it and verify.
From nothing to visible
  1. 01SearchLook for existing
  2. 02Claim or addEnter details
  3. 03VerifyGoogle method
  4. 04CompletePhotos, hours
  5. 05ReplyTo every review

Mistakes to avoid

  • Creating a duplicate

    Instead: Always search first and claim the existing one.

  • Using a PO box

    Instead: Use a real address or a service area.

Free tool
Plan your verification

Pick the method Google is likely to offer and get a shot list ready before you start.

Open the planner

Your next steps

Today

  1. Search for your business and claim or add it.

This week

  1. Verify and add photos.

This month

  1. Ask five customers for reviews.
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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a website to be on Google?

No. A Business Profile can put you on Search and Maps without one, but a website helps.

How long does it take to show up?

After verification, up to about 5 business days for review.

Related questions

How do I add my business to Google Maps?How do I verify my business on Google?How do I edit my Google Business Profile?How do I rank higher on Google My Business?How do I add keywords to my Google Business Profile?How do I recover a suspended Google My Business listing?

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Google Business Profile optimization checklist

Every field, the rules, the 2026 changes and a printable checklist.

Guide · Reach · 16 minGoogle Business Profile audit

Score one profile or your whole network, free.

Free tool · Reach · 2 minutesGoogle Business Profile management

The weekly work, and how in-house, software and services compare.

Guide · Reach · 12 min

Never miss another customer.

Start with a free audit. See what each location is losing, and where.

Profile score, Maps rank against the top 3, and the fixes that matter most.

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