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Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile is the card that shows in Google Search and Google Maps when someone searches for the company by name or nearby ("hairdresser Tampere"). It is separate from the site and free. Set one up if the company has a location or serves a certain area. For a company that operates only online it is less useful.

Creating the profile​

  1. Sign in at google.com/business with a Google account. The company's Google Workspace account suits this well. Otherwise use an account that stays in the company's control.
  2. Search for the company name. Google may already have created a profile, for example based on customer reviews. In that case choose Manage this business instead of creating a new one.
  3. Enter the name as it is in the Trade Register, choose the category, and say whether the company has a location open to customers or a service area.
  4. Add the address, phone number and the site address in the form https://yourcompany.com.

Verification​

Google verifies that the person managing the profile represents the company. The method varies: a phone call, a text message, an email, a video of the location, or a postcard with a code that is entered in the profile. Google chooses which methods are offered. The postcard takes about two weeks. The profile does not show in search before verification.

The details must match the site​

Google compares the profile details with those on the site. If the name, address, phone number or opening hours differ, the profile may show less well, and Google may suggest corrections itself. The site's details are managed on the site's Settings → Search engines page, and they are also published on the site in a structured form that search engines read. When the details change, update them in both places. See Site structure.

What to fill in​

  • Opening hours and special hours for public holidays. Wrong opening hours bring wasted visits and bad reviews.
  • Photos: the location from outside and inside, and a few photos of the work. Your own photos are enough.
  • Services or products with a price, if the price is fixed.
  • Description: a couple of sentences on what the company does and for whom. The same text as on the site's front page is fine.
  • Booking link, if you use a booking system. See Appointment booking.

Reviews​

Reply to reviews briefly and matter-of-factly, the positive ones too. You can ask satisfied customers for a review with a link from the profile management, under Ask for reviews. You cannot delete reviews yourself. An inappropriate review can be reported to Google.

Tracking visibility​

The profile management shows how many people have seen the profile, called, or moved on to the site. Visitors coming to the site also show in Kotisivukamu's visitor analytics with the source Google.