Fix your Google Business Profile in 15 minutes

Your Google Business Profile is the box that shows your name, hours, phone, photos and reviews when someone looks you up on Google Search or Maps. This guide walks through the checks that take the least time. You need the Google account that manages your verified profile. Everything here is free and done inside Google's own tools.

Time estimates are rough. Some edits need Google's review before they show.

Minute 0 to 2: open your profile

1. Sign in to the Google account that manages your business.
2. Search Google for your business name and city, or go to Google Business Profile.
3. Select Edit profile.

Source: Edit your Business Profile

Minute 2 to 4: check your business name

Your profile name should match the name on your sign, truck, invoices and website. Google's guidelines say not to add extra words to the name, such as taglines, city names, service keywords, phone numbers, website addresses or hours. For example, "Smith Plumbing" is fine; "Smith Plumbing Best Emergency Plumber Boise" is not.

Extra words in the name can lead Google to change your information or suspend the profile.

Source: Guidelines for representing your business on Google

Minute 4 to 6: address or service area

• If customers come to you, show a precise street address. Suite numbers go on address line 2.
• If you travel to customers (cleaning, plumbing, lawn care, handyman work and similar), set a service area. Google says a service area business run from home should hide its home address.
• Google says a rented mailing address or virtual office where you do not actually work is not eligible, and P.O. boxes are not acceptable.
• Google says your service area should not reach much farther than about 2 hours of driving from where you are based, with some exceptions.

Source: Guidelines for representing your business on Google

Minute 6 to 8: phone number and website

• Use a phone number your business controls, ideally a local number, not a call center line.
• Google says not to use a number or link that redirects people to some other page or number, including a social media page used as a stand in.
• Open your website link from the profile on your own phone. Make sure it loads, shows the same phone number, and has an easy way to ask for a quote.

Source: Guidelines for representing your business on Google

Minute 8 to 10: hours, including holidays

1. In Edit profile, open Hours.
2. Check each day. Fix anything that is out of date.
3. For holidays and short closures, add Special hours so customers do not show up or wait on a closed day. Google says Special hours cover holidays, special events and closures of 6 days in a row or fewer.
4. If one service runs on different times, Google offers More hours.

Google also says businesses that work only by appointment should not list hours. If that is you, read the guideline before you change anything.

Sources: Edit your business hours and Guidelines for representing your business on Google

Minute 10 to 11: categories

• Pick one primary category that says what your business is, as specific as the list allows. Google's own example is "Nail salon" instead of "Salon".
• Use as few categories as possible. Do not use categories as keywords. You can add up to 9 more.
• Changing a category can make Google ask you to verify the business again. Change it only if the current one is wrong.

Sources: Manage your business category and Edit your Business Profile

Minute 11 to 13: reply to recent reviews

1. On your profile, select Read reviews.
2. Select Reply next to a review, write your reply, then select Reply again.
3. Start with the newest reviews and any critical ones.

Good habits: thank the customer by first name if they used one, mention the job in a few words, stay polite when a review is unfair, and never share a customer's private details. Google reviews replies before they post; it usually takes up to 10 minutes and can take up to 30 days. Google lets you share a review request link or QR code with customers. Do not offer gifts or discounts for reviews, and check Google's review policies before asking.

Source: Manage customer reviews

Minute 13 to 15: add a few real photos

1. Search Google or Maps for your business name and city on a computer.
2. Select Photos, then Add photos.
3. Add a logo, a clear photo of your vehicle, storefront or team at work, and 2 or 3 recent jobs.

New photos can take 24 to 48 hours to show, and Google reviews them first. Photos show only on a verified profile.

Source: Manage your Business Profile photos and videos

Bonus, if you have time: the business description

Google says the description should explain your services and your business honestly. It should not focus on sales, prices or promotions, and it must not include links. Two or three plain sentences about what you do and where you work is enough.

Source: Guidelines for representing your business on Google

Your 15 minute checklist

• Name matches your real world name, with no extra words
• Address is precise, or a service area is set and the home address is hidden
• Phone number is yours and matches your website
• Website link opens and works on a phone
• Regular hours are right and holiday hours are added
• Primary category is specific and correct
• The newest reviews have a reply
• At least a few recent, real photos are posted

What this guide does not promise

This is general guidance based on Google's public help pages. It makes no promise about where you appear on Google, in Maps, or in AI assistant answers, and it makes no promise of calls, leads or sales. Google decides how profiles are shown and can change its rules.

Want a second look?

Run the free website and Google profile check. It shows you a plain checklist of what looks good and what to fix.

If you would rather have the work done for you: free for 14 days, then $49 a month for the full growth service: your website and hosting, outreach that brings in new customers, help getting found on Google and AI search, and a weekly report. No card needed. Questions are answered by email at hello@momyntum.com.

Momyntum Team, momyntum.com, 505 20th St North, Suite 1220 1766, Birmingham, AL 35203

Updated October 31, 2026. For: All.