When someone searches “coffee near me” or “plumber in [your town]”, Google shows a map and a short list of businesses above the regular results. The information in that list comes from Google Business Profile. It’s free, and once it’s set up your hours, phone number, photos and reviews appear on both Google Search and Google Maps.
If you run a small business anywhere — including in Korea, where many locals use Naver but tourists and expats rely on Google — this is one of the highest-return things you can do in an afternoon.
What you need before you start
- A Google account (create one just for the business, so you don’t lose access when staff or agencies change)
- Your exact business name, as it appears on your sign and registration
- Address, main phone number and opening hours
- A few photos: storefront, interior and your main products or services
Step-by-step setup
- Go to business.google.com and sign in with the business account.
- Type your business name. If Google already lists your business, select it and request ownership.
- Choose your primary category. Pick the single most accurate one — you can add secondary categories later.
- If customers visit you, enter your address. If you go to customers (moving, cleaning, repairs), you can hide the address and set a service area instead.
- Add your phone number and website (skip the website if you don’t have one yet).
- Verify the business. Google offers whichever methods are available for your listing — phone or text, email, a recorded video, or a postcard. Video verification usually means filming your signage, interior and proof of business in one continuous clip.
- Once verified, fill in hours, photos, a description, and your products or services.
What to do after it’s live
- Add photos regularly. A clear storefront photo helps people find you; seasonal items and recent work help them choose you.
- Reply to reviews. Thank people for good reviews; for complaints, apologize briefly and explain how you’ll fix it. Future customers read your replies.
- Keep hours current. Update holiday and temporary closures in advance — a wasted trip often turns into a bad review.
- Post updates. Share events, new items or offers as short posts.
Common mistakes
- Stuffing keywords into the name (“Best Cheap Movers Downtown”). This breaks Google’s guidelines and can get the profile suspended. Use your real-world name only.
- Registering under an employee’s personal account. Getting ownership back later is painful.
- Buying reviews or mass-requesting them from family. Google filters these, and it can lead to removed reviews or restrictions on the profile.
The bottom line
A Google Business Profile is one of the most effective free marketing tools a small business has. Spend 30 minutes today to create and verify it, then check photos and hours once a month.
Running a business in Korea? Read our next guide on Naver Smart Place, the local equivalent most Korean customers use.