Google Business Profile Setup Checklist
Categories, service areas, hours, photos, and posts for a new Business Profile.
This checklist covers the steps to set up a Google Business Profile correctly from the start. A well-configured profile is the foundation of local visibility. See Google Business Profile Optimization for the full reference.
Business information
- Business name matches the legal name (no keyword stuffing)
- Address matches the website and citations exactly
- Phone number matches the website NAP
- Website URL is correct and uses https
- Hours of operation are accurate, including holiday exceptions
Categories and services
- Primary category describes the core service precisely
- Secondary categories add specificity without diluting the primary
- Services are listed with descriptions where applicable
- Service areas are set accurately for service-area businesses
Profile content
- At least one post is published
- Photos (exterior, interior, team, work) are uploaded
- Logo and cover photo are set
- Business description is written (no URLs or sales language)
Reviews
- Existing reviews are responded to professionally
- A review response process is established for future reviews
- No incentives are offered for reviews
Primary sources
- Business information guidelines — Google Business Profile Help (accessed 2025-01-15)