What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the free business listing that appears in Google Maps and the local pack, showing your name, location, opening hours, reviews, photos and contact details. It is the most important ranking asset for any business serving local customers.
What does Google Business Profile optimisation include?
Google Business Profile optimisation includes choosing the right categories, completing every field, adding services and products, publishing photos and posts, managing reviews and Q&A, and keeping information consistent with your website and citations.
Categories
The primary category is the strongest relevance signal on the profile. Google offers thousands of categories, and the best choice is often more specific than businesses expect, for example "Family law attorney" rather than "Solicitor", or "Boiler repair service" as a secondary category for a plumber. We research the categories used by the profiles that rank above you.
Business name
Your profile name must match your real-world business name. Adding keywords or locations ("Best Plumber Manchester Ltd") breaks Google's guidelines and is a common cause of suspension.
Services, products and description
Every service listed with a clear description and price where possible, products added for retail and ecommerce, and a 750-character description written for customers.
Photos and videos
Real photos of your premises, team, vehicles and work, uploaded regularly. Profiles with fresh photos receive more requests for directions and website clicks.
Posts and offers
Weekly updates, offers and events that keep the profile active and give customers a reason to choose you.
Reviews and Q&A
A simple review request process, replies to every review, and the questions customers ask answered in advance.
Booking, messaging and attributes
Booking links, appointment URLs, messaging, accessibility and payment attributes, and holiday hours kept up to date.
Why has my Google Business Profile been suspended?
A Google Business Profile is usually suspended because Google cannot verify the address, the name contains keywords, the business uses a virtual office or co-working desk, or a recent edit to the address or category triggered a review. We identify the cause, correct the profile and submit a reinstatement appeal with the evidence Google asks for, such as utility bills, business registration documents and photos of signage.
How do you verify a Google Business Profile?
Google verifies business profiles by video recording, phone, text, email or postcard, depending on the business type and location. Video verification, showing your signage, premises and proof of management, is now the most common method. We prepare you for it so verification passes first time.
How much does Google Business Profile optimisation cost?
A one-off Google Business Profile setup and clean-up costs £250. Ongoing monthly management, including posts, photos, review replies and rank tracking, is included in our Local SEO package at £450 a month plus VAT.
How long does it take to rank in Google Maps?
Category and profile fixes often change Google Maps rankings within two to six weeks. Building enough reviews and local prominence to hold a top-three position in competitive Manchester categories usually takes three to six months.
Google Business Profile optimisation is one part of local SEO, which also covers citations, location pages and local links.
Questions
Asked and answered
Is Google Business Profile free?+
Yes. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile is free. Google does not charge for listings or rankings in the map pack, apart from separately labelled ads.
Can I have more than one Google Business Profile?+
Yes, one for each physical location that is staffed during opening hours. Separate profiles for departments are allowed only in specific cases, such as some medical practitioners.
Should I hide my address on Google Business Profile?+
Hide it if you serve customers at their location and do not receive them at your address, such as plumbers or mobile mechanics. Show it if customers visit you.
How many Google reviews do I need?+
There is no set number. Aim to match or exceed the review count of the businesses in the top three for your main search, and keep reviews coming steadily every month.