‘How do I add my business to Google?’ A step-by-step guide

‘Why should I add my business to Google?’

Google Business Profile (GBP) is probably the most important place for your business to appear on the web. 
Both Google Search and Google Maps use data from GBP to show users your business details when you rank for local searches like “restaurants near me” or “florists in central London”.

Local pack results for florists in central London

Without a GBP, you won’t appear in any local searches, let alone the top three results (known as the local pack or Google 3-Pack), where you can really get people’s attention. 
But if you’re a business owner without a background in SEO, the question “how do I add my business to Google?” might leave you scratching your head. 
Fortunately, getting your business on Google is pretty straightforward and you can take care of the basics in just a few simple steps.

‘What are the steps to list my business on Google?’

Setting up a Google Business Profile is a simple matter of creating a profile, adding your business details and verifying that you’re the owner. 
Step 1: Visit the Google Business Profile homepage and click the blue “Manage now” button.

Google Business Profile homepage, the best answer to the question “how do I add my business to Google”

Alternatively, open the menu in Google Maps and click “Add your business”.

The Google Maps menu with an option to add my business to Google

Step 2: Sign in with your Google account

A screengrab of a Google sign-in pop-up

Step 3: Add your business name and category (you can add additional categories once your business has been verified).

Step 3 of listing your business on Google

Step 4: If you’re a brick and mortar business with a location that customers can visit, add it here.

A screengrab of where to add your address when you list your business on Google

If you’re a service business that goes out to visit clients locally, choose “no” to the address option and add the areas you cover instead.

The option to add the areas your serve on the Google Business Profile creation page

Step 5: Add your phone number and website (you can use UTM tracking links here if you want).

The screen to add your contact details and website when you create a Google Business Profile

Step 6: Finally, choose the most convenient method to verify your business: phone, text, email, video recording, live video call or postcard. Depending on your business type and whether or not you added an address, you may be asked to verify by more than one method.

The screen to verify your Google Business Profile

The steps to list your business on Google are quite simple, but in some cases, you’ll need to claim a profile that’s already been created.

‘Why is my business already added to Google?’

Google may have already created a profile for your business based on data available on the web. 
If you search your company name on Google Search or Maps and a result appears, you can claim the profile rather than creating a new one from scratch. 
But if your business is already added to Google, why bother claiming it? 
As the owner, you’re the person best qualified to upload your business details with the most accurate information and should be the one keeping it up to date. 
By claiming your Google Business Profile, you’ll also be able to respond to reviews, publish posts and add photos to increase your chances of users visiting your business. 
And if you need to make changes to your opening hours (during holiday periods, for example) you’ll be able to do that too, as well as access performance metrics that display useful data, including which keywords users are finding you with.

‘How do I claim my business on Google?’

Claiming a business that already exists on Google Business Profile might give you a headstart on your local SEO, especially if it’s already racked up some favourable reviews. 
Step 1: Bring up the existing GBP on Google Search or Maps and select “Claim this business”.

The option to claim a business on Google Search

Step 2: Choose your method of verification. It might take up to seven business days to verify your business, depending on the method you choose. 
If the business has already been claimed, you can request access from the current owner, who will have three days to respond. 
Google will show you the first two letters of the email address of the current owner, so double check it’s not owned by another staff member or even yourself with a different email address. 
If the current owner challenges your claim or you can’t get access to the email it was created with, you’ll need to get in touch with Google Business Profile Help and explain the situation.

Go further: Semrush´s Listing Management is the tool you need to optimize your Google Business Profile and get noticed by more potential customers.

Time saver: Semrush’s Listing Management tool allows you to make updates to your Google Business Profile and all your other business listings at the same time, saving you from having to spend hours logging into each platform individually.