Google Business Profile: the complete guide for local businesses
The free tool that brings more local customers than any ad. How to create it, verify it and use it properly.
When you search "bakery near me" and a map appears with three businesses: that is Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). Being there, with good reviews, is the strongest local advertising there is. And it's free.
Step 1: Create or claim the profile
Go to business.google.com. Search for your business name. Google has often already created an automatic profile. Claim it rather than creating a second one.
Step 2: Verification
Google verifies by video, phone or postcard. For businesses in Albania, video verification is fastest: film the sign, the entrance and the inside of the premises.
Step 3: Fill in everything
- Primary category, the most important field. "Lawyer", not "Services".
- Hours, including holidays. Nothing annoys more than a closed door when Google said "Open".
- Photos, at least 10 real ones: outside, inside, team, products. Update monthly.
- Description, 750 characters: what you do, for whom, where, why you.
- Website, link to your site. This link also helps SEO.
Step 4: Reviews
Reviews are the number one factor for local ranking. Create your short review link and send it to every happy customer on WhatsApp. Reply to every review, even negative ones, calmly and professionally.
Step 5: Posts and questions
The profile has a posts section (offers, news) and Q&A. Post once a week. Write the 5 most common questions with answers yourself, before someone else writes them wrong.
The biggest mistake
Name, address and phone must be identical on the profile, the website and Instagram. Every mismatch lowers Google's trust.
We set up and optimise your profile as part of our SEO package.