Google Business Profile: a practical setup and improvement checklist

1. Check eligibility and secure access

A Business Profile lets you manage business information shown in Google Search and Maps. Businesses generally need in-person customer contact. An online-only shop does not qualify. Check [Google's eligibility rules](https://support.google.com/business/answer/13763036?hl=en) before proceeding.

1. Search Maps for your business name and town. If a listing exists, claim it instead of creating another.
2. If nothing exists, use the option to add a business in Maps. Start with a Google account controlled by the owner.
3. If someone else manages the listing, request ownership. Give staff or an agency their own manager access.
4. Verification proves that you represent the business. Follow the method offered on screen; Google determines which options are available.

Allow time for verification. If video is requested, prepare the location, equipment and evidence of management access specified on screen. Follow [Google's verification guide](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7107242?hl=en).

2. Give customers enough information to choose you

• Name: use the name customers see on your signage. Do not add search phrases to make it sound more discoverable.
• Category: choose the available business type that best describes your main activity.
• Location: check the map pin against the customer entrance. If customers cannot visit your premises, hide the address and specify the areas you serve.
• Contact details: add a working phone number and your website if you have one. Test both on a phone.
• Hours: enter your normal schedule and exceptions for holidays.
• Description: explain your service in plain language. Keep links and promotional offers out of this field.

Before saving, check your entries against [Google's business representation guidelines](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177?hl=en).

Try a customer test: ask someone unfamiliar with your shop to find the entrance, opening hours and contact details from the profile. Photograph anything that would help their first visit, such as the storefront or accessible entrance.

3. Build a weekly review and measurement habit

Invite genuine customers to leave honest feedback without offering discounts or gifts. Use the profile's review request feature to get a link or QR code. See [Google's review guidance](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474122?hl=en).

Message template: “Thanks for visiting. If you would like to share your experience, you can leave an honest Google review here: [your review link].” Replace the placeholder with the link from your profile.

1. Assign one person a weekly check of opening hours, contact details and new reviews.
2. Reply briefly and politely. For complaints, offer a practical next step without revealing customer information.
3. Keep a Google Sheets log of changes and confirmed enquiries. It is a manual record, so someone must update it.
4. Once a month, open Performance, the profile's results report. Compare available metrics across periods of equal length.

A click on the call button does not confirm a conversation or a sale. Compare profile activity with actual enquiries before judging success. Check [Google's metric definitions](https://support.google.com/business/answer/9918094?hl=en).

Go further with the AI Builders community

Take your updated profile to the [Azerbaijani AI Builders community](https://abcommunity.org/resurslar) for real examples, peer feedback and discussion. Share what you changed and invite a practical review: “What would you still need to know before contacting this business?”