# Do You Need a Google Business Profile? Who Qualifies and How to Get Started
*Originally published on Copywriters.com on May 28, 2023, under the title “Do You Need ‘Google My Business’ Help?” Written by Deborah E. Landry. Republished on Introvert Marketers with updates for today’s digital marketing landscape.*
Have you ever wondered whether your business needs a Google Business Profile?
Maybe you’ve heard that every business should have one. Or perhaps you’re trying to figure out why your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps.
Well, this article is for you!
Some articles will tell you that every business needs a Google listing.
But that’s not always the case.
In fact, certain types of businesses aren’t even eligible for one.
And if you’re operating an online business, this is especially important to understand.
But before we get into that, let’s answer the first question.
## What Is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, is a free tool that allows eligible businesses to manage how they appear on Google Search and Google Maps.
Have you ever searched for a specific business on Google and noticed a listing with its name, photos, hours of operation, reviews, phone number, and location?
That’s a Google Business Profile.
Some businesses include additional information about their products, services, appointments, and special offers.
These profiles help potential customers find local businesses and learn more about them before deciding whether to visit or make contact.
But here’s something that surprises many business owners.
**Not every business qualifies for a Google Business Profile.**
## Who Should Have a Google Business Profile?
Probably the easiest way to explain this is that Google Business Profile is primarily designed for businesses that interact with customers in person.
Most eligible local businesses can benefit from having one.
But online-only businesses generally do not qualify.
Let’s look at a few examples.
### Brick-and-Mortar Businesses
Businesses with physical locations where customers visit are among the most obvious candidates.
Examples include:
– Retail stores
– Restaurants
– Hair salons
– Auto dealerships
– Repair shops
– Medical offices
If customers visit your business during your stated hours, a Google Business Profile can help them find you.
And if you want customers to find you, that’s certainly important!
### Service-Area Businesses
But what about businesses that travel to their customers?
Do they qualify?
In many cases, yes!
For example, electricians, plumbers, cleaning companies, and certain home-repair businesses may qualify even if customers never visit their business address.
Google refers to these as service-area businesses.
A service-area business typically travels to customers at their locations rather than serving them at a public storefront.
If you operate this type of business from your home, you generally should hide your residential address from the public profile.
Instead, you can identify the geographic areas you serve.
### Hybrid Businesses
Some businesses serve customers at a physical location and also travel to customers or deliver products.
Google calls these hybrid businesses.
For example, an auto repair shop might serve customers at its garage while also offering roadside assistance.
These businesses may be able to display their storefront address and specify their service area.
### Individual Practitioners
Certain individual professionals may also qualify.
Examples include doctors, attorneys, and real estate agents.
However, eligibility depends on the nature of the business, its location, and whether the practitioner meets Google’s requirements.
Not every individual who works independently qualifies automatically.
## Who Should NOT Have a Google Business Profile?
Now that we know who may qualify, let’s discuss who generally should not have one.
This is especially important for people building online businesses.
### Online-Only Businesses
If your business operates entirely online and doesn’t interact with customers in person, you generally aren’t eligible for a Google Business Profile.
Examples might include:
– Online-only digital product stores
– Affiliate marketing websites
– Bloggers who work exclusively online
– Online course creators
– Internet-based businesses that never serve customers face-to-face
In other words, simply owning a website doesn’t qualify your business for a Google Maps listing.
And having a home office doesn’t automatically make your business eligible, either.
Google’s eligibility rules focus on legitimate in-person customer contact, subject to certain exceptions.
### Virtual Offices and Mailing Addresses
What if you rent a business address?
That’s a good question!
A rented mailing address, virtual office, or P.O. box doesn’t automatically qualify your business for a Google Business Profile.
For example, you can’t simply rent a mailbox and use that address to create the appearance of a local storefront.
Google has specific requirements for offices and coworking spaces, including staffing, signage, and customer access.
The important thing is that your business location must genuinely meet Google’s eligibility requirements.
### Lead Generation Businesses
Google also identifies certain lead generation agents and companies as ineligible.
So if your business exists primarily to collect leads and pass them along to other businesses, don’t assume you qualify.
Review Google’s eligibility rules before creating a profile.
You can find the official requirements in Google’s [Business Profile eligibility guidelines](https://support.google.com/business/answer/13763036).
## But Here’s a Good Question
What if your place of business is rented from a different owner?
For example, maybe you operate a salon in a leased storefront or run a professional office in a rented building.
Can you still have a Google Business Profile?
Generally, yes, provided your business meets the other eligibility requirements.
You don’t have to own the building.
What matters is whether you’re operating a legitimate business at that location and serving customers in accordance with Google’s guidelines.
And remember, your listed business hours need to be accurate.
If you say you’re open when you’re not, you’re creating a frustrating experience for potential customers.
That’s not good for your reputation or your marketing!
## What Are the Advantages of Having a Google Business Profile?
Now that you understand who qualifies, let’s talk about why having a Google Business Profile can be so valuable.
Assuming your business is eligible, of course!
### 1. Help Customers Find Your Business
The most obvious advantage is visibility.
When someone searches for your business or a relevant local service, your profile may appear on Google Search or Maps.
Your listing can display useful information such as:
– Business name
– Address or service area
– Phone number
– Website
– Hours of operation
– Photos
– Customer reviews
Imagine someone searching for a local shoe store.
If your business appears in their search results, they can quickly learn where you’re located, whether you’re open, and how to contact you.
That’s valuable information!
### 2. Build Credibility With Potential Customers
A complete and accurate business profile can help establish credibility.
Think about it.
If you’re searching for a business you’ve never visited before, wouldn’t you like to see its location, photographs, business hours, and customer reviews?
Of course you would!
And imagine the impact of seeing positive reviews from satisfied customers.
That kind of social proof can make a difference when people are comparing businesses.
However, appearing on Google doesn’t mean Google personally endorses or guarantees a business.
Your credibility still depends on the quality of your products, services, and customer experience.
### 3. Improve Your Local Search Visibility
Have you ever noticed the group of local businesses that appears near a map in Google’s search results?
Marketers often refer to this as the **Google Local Pack**.
Depending on the search, Google may display a selection of nearby businesses along with ratings, addresses, and other information.
If your business appears prominently in these results, you may receive more attention from potential customers.
A good example would be someone searching for “shoe stores near me.”
Wouldn’t you rather they discover your business instead of your competition?
Of course!
But remember, creating a profile doesn’t guarantee that your business will appear among the top results.
Google considers factors such as relevance, distance, and prominence when determining local rankings.
### 4. Help Customers Get Directions
Another important advantage is integration with Google Maps.
Customers can use Maps to locate eligible storefront businesses and get directions.
If someone is trying to find your business, they can use their phone’s navigation system to guide them there.
This is especially valuable for businesses that depend on local foot traffic.
Service-area businesses can also use their profiles to help customers understand which locations they serve, even when their business address isn’t publicly displayed.
### 5. Learn How Customers Find You
Google Business Profile also provides performance information.
Depending on the features available to your business, you may be able to see how customers discover and interact with your listing.
This can include information about searches, calls, website clicks, and direction requests.
Understanding these interactions can help you make better marketing decisions.
After all, wouldn’t you want to know which activities are helping customers find your business?
Of course you would!
## How to Let Google Business Profile Help You
Now that you understand the benefits, let’s discuss how to get started.
### Step 1: Visit the Official Google Business Profile Website
Start by visiting:
https://www.google.com/business/
You’ll need a Google Account to create or manage your profile.
Before adding a new business, check whether a listing already exists.
If it does, you may be able to claim and verify that existing profile rather than creating a duplicate.
If your business isn’t listed, you can begin the process of adding it.
### Step 2: Enter Your Business Information
Google will ask for information about your business.
This may include your:
– Business name
– Primary business category
– Address or service area
– Phone number
– Website
– Business hours
Make sure your information is accurate.
You’ll often hear marketers refer to NAP, which stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number.
Keeping your business information consistent across your website and other listings helps customers recognize and contact your business.
And don’t exaggerate your hours or use an address that doesn’t genuinely represent your business.
Honesty matters!
### Step 3: Choose the Right Business Categories
You’ll be asked to select a primary business category.
Choose the category that most accurately describes your business.
You may also be able to add additional categories where appropriate.
For example, imagine a car dealership.
Its primary category might relate to vehicle sales.
Depending on how the dealership operates, other eligible categories could describe services such as vehicle repair or parts sales.
The important thing is to choose categories that accurately represent what the business actually does.
Don’t add unrelated categories just because you think they’ll attract more traffic.
### Step 4: Verify Your Business
Google requires businesses to complete verification before they can fully manage their profiles.
Verification methods can vary.
Depending on the business and Google’s requirements, you may be offered options such as video recording, phone, text, email, or other verification methods.
You generally can’t choose any method you want. Google determines which methods are available for your business.
Video verification may involve showing your business location, equipment, signage, or documentation demonstrating that you operate the business.
Follow the instructions Google provides for your specific profile.
And remember, completing verification doesn’t guarantee that your business will rank at the top of local search results.
It’s simply an important part of establishing and managing your listing.
### Step 5: Add Accurate Business Hours and Contact Information
Your customers need to know when they can reach you.
Make sure your regular business hours are correct.
If you have different hours during holidays or special events, update those as well.
Your phone number and website should lead customers to the actual business.
The easier you make it for people to contact you, the better.
### Step 6: Add Photos and Videos
Photos can make a tremendous difference in how customers perceive your business.
Imagine looking for a restaurant and finding one profile with no pictures and another with beautiful photographs of the dining area and food.
Which one would catch your attention?
Exactly!
You can add relevant photos of your business, products, services, staff, or facilities.
For example, a car dealership might include pictures of its showroom, vehicles, and service department.
A restaurant might showcase its dining room and popular menu items.
Use clear, authentic images that accurately represent your business.
You can also add videos where supported.
And here’s something important: your photos don’t automatically disappear after a week.
You can maintain a collection of business photos and update them whenever you have something useful to share.
### Step 7: Encourage Customer Reviews
This is a big one!
Customer reviews can play an important role in helping people decide whether to do business with you.
Get into the habit of inviting customers to leave honest reviews about their experiences.
You can share a review link with customers through appropriate follow-up communications.
But don’t offer rewards in exchange for positive reviews or attempt to manipulate your ratings.
Google prohibits fake engagement and certain forms of incentivized reviews.
And remember, you want genuine feedback.
That’s what makes reviews valuable in the first place.
### Step 8: Respond to Customer Reviews
Take time to respond to reviews whenever possible.
Thank customers who leave positive comments.
And don’t ignore negative reviews.
If someone has a legitimate complaint, respond professionally and offer to help resolve the issue.
Some problems are better handled privately, especially when personal information is involved.
But a respectful public response can show other potential customers that your business takes customer service seriously.
Don’t assume that responding within a particular number of minutes automatically improves your Google ranking.
Instead, focus on providing thoughtful, professional responses.
### Step 9: Share Business Updates and Offers
Google Business Profile allows eligible businesses to publish updates, offers, and event information.
This can be useful when you have a sale, special event, or important announcement.
For example, a retail store might promote a seasonal sale.
A restaurant might announce a special menu.
A service business might share an update about expanded services.
These posts can help keep your profile informative and engaging.
But don’t assume that publishing posts automatically guarantees higher search rankings.
Think of them as another way to communicate useful information to your customers.
### Step 10: Review Your Profile Regularly
Once your profile is established, don’t forget about it!
Check your business information periodically.
Make sure your hours are accurate, your website works, and your contact information is correct.
Review customer feedback and update your photos when appropriate.
Google may also suggest or apply updates to business information based on other sources.
That’s another reason to check your profile regularly.
You want customers to receive accurate information when they find your business.
## What About Google Business Profile Messaging?
If you previously used Google My Business, you may remember its built-in chat and messaging features.
Google discontinued the original Business Profile chat and call-history features in July 2024.
Some newer messaging integrations may be available for eligible businesses and regions, but you shouldn’t assume that the old messaging dashboard still exists.
Customers can still contact businesses through available phone numbers, websites, and other supported contact options.
For current features, check Google’s official Business Profile Help documentation.
## What If Your Business Is Online-Only?
Now, this is especially relevant to online marketers, bloggers, affiliate marketers, and digital product creators.
What if your business doesn’t qualify for a Google Business Profile?
Does that mean you can’t build an online presence?
Absolutely not!
It simply means that Google Business Profile isn’t the right tool for your particular business model.
Instead, you can focus on other strategies, such as:
– Building a professional website or WordPress blog
– Creating helpful, search-friendly articles
– Publishing educational YouTube videos
– Developing an email list
– Sharing content on relevant social platforms
– Building relationships with your audience through useful information
For online-only businesses, these strategies may be far more appropriate than trying to establish a local listing.
And there’s no reason to create an ineligible business profile just because someone tells you every business needs one.
Choose marketing tools that actually fit your business!
## In Summary
If you operate an eligible local business, Google Business Profile can be an excellent way to help customers find you.
It allows you to share important business information, display photos, receive customer reviews, and communicate what your company offers.
But the most important thing is to make sure your business qualifies.
Don’t try to create a listing using a virtual office, mailbox, or other address that doesn’t meet Google’s requirements.
And once your profile is established, keep it accurate and useful.
Get into the habit of asking satisfied customers for honest reviews.
Respond to feedback professionally.
Keep your information updated.
And remember, the goal isn’t simply to appear in Google search results.
It’s to help the right customers find a trustworthy business that can meet their needs.
That’s what good marketing is all about!
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*Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on Copywriters.com in 2023 under its former Google My Business title. It has been updated to reflect Google’s current Business Profile terminology, eligibility requirements, and management features while preserving the original educational purpose.*
