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Google Business Profile checklist

Use this free 34-point checklist to set up and improve your Google Business Profile, the listing customers see on Google Search and Maps. Tick items off as you go. Your progress is saved in your browser, and you can print the list.

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Start with the items marked “Do first”.

Ticks are saved only in this browser on this device. Clearing your browsing data removes them. Nothing is sent to us.

Your next three steps

Claim and set up the basics0 of 4

Wrong or missing basics cost you customers and can get a profile suspended. Do these first.

Claim your profile and finish verification.Do first Unclaimed profiles can be edited by anyone and cannot be managed properly.

Use your real business name, exactly as on your signboard.Do first Do not add keywords, city names or slogans to the name. Google’s rules treat this as a violation and it can get the profile suspended.

Set the correct address, or hide it if you serve customers at their location.Do first If customers do not visit you, set up as a service-area business and list the towns you serve, such as Puttur, Mangaluru or Udupi.

Add a phone number your team answers and your website link.Do first Use a number that works during opening hours. Link to the page that best matches the visit, usually your home or contact page.

Categories and description0 of 3

Categories tell Google what you are. Pick them honestly.

Choose the primary category that matches your main service.Do first Pick the most specific option Google offers. Review it once a year because Google adds categories.

Add extra categories only for services you really offer. Google allows several additional categories. Adding ones that do not apply can hurt more than help.

Write a plain, factual description. Say what you do, who you serve and where. Leave out sales language like “best in town”, and do not add links.

Opening hours0 of 3

Hours decide whether you show up for “open now” searches. Wrong hours also create angry reviews.

Set accurate regular opening hours.Do first Update them whenever your timings change.

Add special hours for festivals and holidays ahead of time. Set them before Deepavali, Ugadi and other days you will be closed or open late. See our seasonal marketing calendar for dates.

Add “more hours” if they apply, such as delivery or kitchen hours. Only if your business has different hours for different services.

Services, products and attributes0 of 4

This is where you show what customers can buy and how.

List your main services with a short description for each. Use the words customers use. Keep each description to one or two plain sentences.

Add products or a menu if they apply. Add a photo, name and description for the items you most want to sell.

Add prices only if you will honour them. A fair price range or “from” price saves time for both sides. Remove prices that are out of date.

Turn on the attributes that apply where Google offers them. Examples are accessibility, payment methods and online appointments. Features change, so check your dashboard.

Photos and video0 of 5

Real photos build trust before a customer ever visits or calls.

Add a logo and a clear cover photo. Use your real logo and a bright, uncluttered photo.

Add exterior photos from more than one angle.Do first Show the entrance, signboard and street view so customers can find you.

Add inside photos of the space where you work or serve. Use well-lit photos taken on the day. No stock images.

Add photos of your team and your real work. Show the people customers will meet and results they can expect. Get permission when customers appear.

Add new photos every month and check customer-uploaded photos. Fresh photos show the business is active. Report photos that misrepresent you.

Reviews0 of 5

Reviews are one of the biggest local ranking factors, and customers read them before they decide.

Ask every happy customer for a review and share your review link.Do first Ask in person or on WhatsApp right after a good experience. You can find your review link in your Business Profile dashboard.

Reply to every review within a few days.Do first Thank people by name and mention the service. Replies show future customers that you care.

Reply to negative reviews calmly and offer to fix the problem. Do not argue in public. Offer a phone number or a chat to sort it out.

Never pay for reviews, offer rewards for them, or filter who you ask.Do first Incentivised, bought or gated reviews can be removed and can put your profile at risk.

Count your reviews every month. Write down the total and your rating so you can see growth.

Posts and updates0 of 3

Posts do not guarantee higher rankings, but they keep the profile current for customers.

Publish a post about an offer, event or news at least once a month. Add a clear photo and a button such as Call, Learn more or Order.

Plan posts around festivals and busy seasons. Our seasonal marketing calendar lists the key dates for coastal Karnataka.

Remove or update old offers. Expired offers confuse customers and look careless.

Website and consistency0 of 4

Google compares your profile with your website and the rest of the internet.

Use the same name, address and phone number everywhere.Do first Check your website, Facebook, Instagram, JustDial, Sulekha, IndiaMART and other listings.

Put a map and your full address on your website’s contact page. Make sure it matches your profile exactly.

Add LocalBusiness structured data to your website. Use the same details as your profile. Your developer or agency can add it.

Tag the website link in your profile so visits show up in analytics. Add campaign parameters such as utm_source=google and utm_medium=business-profile to the link.

Monthly check-up0 of 3

A profile is never finished. Put a repeating reminder in your calendar.

Check Performance for calls, direction requests and searches. Look for changes after you update photos, posts or hours.

Check for suggested edits, new questions and wrong details. Customers and others can suggest changes. Accept the right ones and correct the wrong ones.

Search your business name on Google Maps for duplicates or errors. Report duplicates and closed-business marks that are wrong.

How to use this checklist

Set aside an hour for the first pass, then revisit the photos, posts and reviews sections each month.

Start with “Do first”. These items fix wrong information and basic trust, and they take the least time.
Be honest in every field. Real names, real photos and real reviews protect you from suspension and earn customers’ trust.
Keep it consistent. The details on your profile should match your website, social pages and directory listings.
Treat it as a monthly habit. Local rankings depend on steady activity, not on a one-time clean-up.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Google Business Profile?

It is the free profile that appears when people search for your business on Google Search and Google Maps. It shows your name, address, hours, photos, reviews, services and contact options.

How often should I update my profile?

Review it once a month, and reply to new reviews as they arrive. Update opening hours before festivals or holidays, and update photos and services whenever something changes.

Do Google Business Profile posts improve rankings?

Treat posts as a way to inform customers, not as a ranking trick. A recent offer, event or update gives people a reason to call or visit.

Can I add keywords or my city to my business name?

No. Use your real business name as it appears on your signboard. Adding keywords or locations to the name goes against Google’s guidelines and can lead to suspension.

How many reviews do I need?

There is no fixed number. Reviews influence rankings and customers read them, so aim for steady, genuine reviews from real customers rather than a one-time burst.

Is this checklist official advice from Google?

No. It is based on Google’s Business Profile guidelines and common local SEO practice, written by NammoraX. Google changes features often, so some options may look different in your dashboard. Check Google’s Business Profile Help for the latest rules.

Want help with your Google Business Profile?

We can review your profile, fix what is wrong and set up a simple monthly routine for photos, posts and reviews.

Talk to us on WhatsApp See our services

Sources and updates. Last reviewed on 25 October 2026. Google changes Business Profile features often, so check your dashboard and Google’s help pages for the latest rules.